Linux version inside the box?

[T-1000]

Hi there
will the Linux version come inside the box with its own installer or Linux users will have to download a "point release"?
Linux users will apreciate if they can install the game right after purchase

[bebar]

There was a interview of thimothe besset about it. He said the linux version will follow the windows one.

http://www.jeuvinux.net/article.php3?id_article=102

It's in french but with google you should be able to understand

[stlava]

I really look forward to the linux version.. to bad ventrilo can't get a native linux copy working after like 4 years.

[sponge]

Originally Posted by stlava

I really look forward to the linux version.. to bad ventrilo can't get a native linux copy working after like 4 years.

http://mumble.sourceforge.net -- we've been playing with this program a bit recently. Cross-platform server and client.

[Kamikazee]

Too bad it won't come bundled...
Though I can see TTimo's point of view. Whilst I'm not in the gaming industry, working towards a deadline is a hell of a job, even with only one party involved.

[figvam]

The quote from that interview, via Google translator:

Jeuvinux: Will the version Windows and Linux de Quake Wars leave they at the same time?

Timothée: At a few weeks of interval if all is well. In general I await the final version Windows to be able to finish the fitter and to make a last master key with the testers.

Sigh, a few weeks time means at least a month. It's a pity TTimo isn't involved with the development more closely to be able to finish the port simultaneously with the Windows release.

[fusen]

I'm betting this will be the case for the mac release too, tbh you rarely get linux/mac builds bundled with PC games due to requiring more space in the case for extra dvds etc

[Sebultura]

Because I like it & it's good practice for me, here's my personal translation for interrested ones....

-------------------------------------------

Timothée Besset alias TTimo is in some way ID software's Linuxian, who's in charge to port games to Linux at Id since Quake 3 Arena.
And so very soon, the port of the so awaited "Enemy Territory : Quake Wars"

He has nicely agreed to answer our questions.




Jeuvinux : Hello, Timothée, can you quickly describe your assignments at ID software ?

Timothée : I can describe my assignments at ID software : I'm a programmer for id Software. I worked on GNU/Linux and Mac versions of our games since Quake III Arena. Since Doom3 I'm in charge of the network code (multiplayer) and different aspects of the « game code ».

Jeuvinux : Jeuvinux.net is a relatively young website, and even if it started well, can you give us a tip on ET : Quake wars (not seen yet) that would let us climb to posterity ?

Timothée : The game is developped by SplashDamage in England. id Software supervises of course, but it's not directly our project.

Jeuvinux : Some rumours say that Quake Wars would be launched in March 2007. Not to get a precise date, is that for you probable, sure, impossible or "we'll see" ?

Timothée : That year :-)

Jeuvinux : Will Windows and Linux versions of Quake Wars be out at same time ?

Timothée : From a few weeks each other if all goes well. In general I wait the final Windows version to be able to finish the installer and do a last pass with testers.

Jeuvinux : So there won't be any Linux installer directly on DVD ?

Timothée : No. There's enough work at game finalization time and gold creation. The process happens mainly between SplashDamage and Activision, without my intervention.

A product available in store, that can be installed on Linux without download would be interresting in a promotional logic of the game under Linux. This would help to pass the image of Linux as a viable system for the game in a larger audience. But it's not an immediate interest for id Software to develop a commercial space for Linux (or at least that doesn't justify additional difficulties).

Jeuvinux : There's some time where we believed of a public Quake wars beta, was that an interpretation error ?

Timothée : I don't know. There's a private beta

Jeuvinux : Quake Wars again, will there be an X86_64 version ?

Timothée : I prefer to use the time spent on the Linux version to something else than an x86_64 executable. It's marginally harder to configure Doom3's or Quake4's binaries on an x86_64 machine than on a 32 bits one, but it's not sufficient if you want to distribute a 64 bits binary.

And this would be the only reason to make one at the moment. Performances are at best the same and nothing in our software architecture would profit of the environment.

Jeuvinux : Before the launch of Doom III, John Carmack admitted having encountered some problems because of OpenGL's delay in certain fields, today with Quake wars, is using this library a burden to make a commercial game ?

Timothée : I don't want to answer for him, but I don't think that OpenGL is any limitation.

Jeuvinux : Some new packages for GTKRadiant appear frequently on the zerowing's ftp server in precompiled version for Windows, when will there be a recent version for Linux ? For Quake Wars ?

Timothée : There are many years that that I don't develop anything with GtkRadiant. The editor is now mainly used for projects based on Quake 1/2/3's source code. In particular since we changed the license into GPL.

Quake Wars has an integrated editor, in the same way as Doom3 and Quake 4 (Windows only). I don't know if the source will be available. A Linux version is rather improbable.

Jeuvinux : With the coming of the Windows Vista/DirectX 10 road roller, how do you see the future of the games on Linux ?

Timothée : Nothing different really. Vista isn't radically different from XP, and our games use OpenGL so the DirectX versions / specs aren't very important.

Jeuvinux : Any more personal projects ?

Timothée : Not really. It's a full time job.

Jeuvinux : A last word for Linuxians that read us ?

Timothée : It's been many years that I'm in charge of the Linux ports, and I frequently receive mails of thanks, and in general bug feedbacks are complete and useful.. so .. thanks :-)

Jeuvinux : Thanks for having answered our questions.

[figvam]

Thanks Sebultura, really appreciate the translation!

[Brackston]

Thank you very much. That is good news to see the Linux port is coming along.
But I guess that pre-ordering is out of the question.

[BogusJoe]

Pre ordered and ready to go. Can't wait to see what this will do on a Ubuntu Desktop

[TTimo]

Hello everyone,

I don't want to commit to any schedule for the ETQW Linux client at this point. Most of my time is spent working on the game itself, on the Linux dedicated server and on the network infrastructure.

Once those things wind down (in the upcoming weeks) I will start working specifically on the client. But fear not, ATI and NVidia have expressed interest in getting a Linux client early, so they can review how it performs and get their drivers adjusted. When we release, we'll release a high quality product, just like we do on Windows.

In any case, don't expect to find Linux binaries on the retail DVD. It's hard enough for everyone to get gold masters done, there are enough things to check and worry about, I will not place additional strain on the procedure by trying to squeeze my additional set of files on there.

[Slade05]

Thanx for info.

[Tyrano]

Thanks for the info! I do wonder, will our Windows keys work for the Linux version though? It should right?

[Fitzsimmons]

Originally Posted by Tyrano

Thanks for the info! I do wonder, will our Windows keys work for the Linux version though? It should right?

No, the windows keys won't work. They'll just release a linux client that nobody can actually use.

[Brackston]

Originally Posted by TTimo

Hello everyone,

I don't want to commit to any schedule for the ETQW Linux client at this point. Most of my time is spent working on the game itself, on the Linux dedicated server and on the network infrastructure.

Once those things wind down (in the upcoming weeks) I will start working specifically on the client. But fear not, ATI and NVidia have expressed interest in getting a Linux client early, so they can review how it performs and get their drivers adjusted. When we release, we'll release a quality product, just like we do on Windows.

In any case, don't expect to find Linux binaries on the retail DVD. It's hard enough for everyone to get gold masters done, there are enough things to check and worry about, I will not place additional strain on the procedure by trying to squeeze my additional set of files on there.

Wonderful! Thank you so much for posting to the thread.
You sure made us Linux only users feel better. We are used to waiting and we know it will work great for us, Thank you again.

[tjust]

lets just hope that there will be a working ati driver for xorg 1.3 before linux client is out or it's going to be a long waiting time

[danteuk]

Great news.
I have dual boot with XP and Suse 10.2
I'm really enjoying the beta at the moment.
Any time you want to drop a beta binary for linux for testing, let me know

[X-Drum]

Originally Posted by TTimo

*

Hi TTimo, thanks for the useful infos, and thanks a lot for your work on the linux client/server.
Absolutely no problem If the linux version will not be bundled with the retail DVD,
this has happened also with other games (eg: quake4).

If you need people to test it (when it's done ) count me in, please

/me using Gentoo Gnu/Linux

[tigrezno]

excellent news, i want to buy this game as soon as possible, but i only use linux so i'll wait till linux client is released.

thanks for your efforts

[sno]

Originally Posted by TTimo

Hello everyone,

I don't want to commit to any schedule for the ETQW Linux client at this point. Most of my time is spent working on the game itself, on the Linux dedicated server and on the network infrastructure.

Once those things wind down (in the upcoming weeks) I will start working specifically on the client. But fear not, ATI and NVidia have expressed interest in getting a Linux client early, so they can review how it performs and get their drivers adjusted. When we release, we'll release a high quality product, just like we do on Windows.

In any case, don't expect to find Linux binaries on the retail DVD. It's hard enough for everyone to get gold masters done, there are enough things to check and worry about, I will not place additional strain on the procedure by trying to squeeze my additional set of files on there.

Hi Timo, thanks for commenting and noticing this thread, im sure im not alone in offering to test out any version or versions of a linux client prior to release.
keep up the good work

[doneX]

great news !

add me to the linux beta testers if needed

[General.Jung]

Dear TTimo,

thank you for this great nice news. We need more with your abandon. Let us fight for Tux.

Most Respectfully Yours. R. Jung.

[PigSkin]

Originally Posted by T-1000

Hi there
will the Linux version come inside the box with its own installer or Linux users will have to download a "point release"?
Linux users will apreciate if they can install the game right after purchase

How about a ETQW Linux Distro that boots direct to the game only as a base and add what you want for video ,sound and network card drivers. I would think you would get a smokin fast game that way. I used Sabayon Linux Live DVD and it has an option to boot direct to the Q4 demo and it runs very smooth on my system. Makes me think a HD install of ETQW would put a smile on me from ear to ear.

[T-1000]

mmm i dont like to reboot to play... just a click