Civ5 for Linux

[MoonWolf]

As the interest for Linux increases and more and more people use this OS, maybe the Civ-developers can release a Civ5 for Linux as well? I know other game makers make their games platform independent i.e. they have installation scripts for both Windows and Linux (not sure about MAC) on their distributed CDs/ DVDs but the program files themselves are the same for both platforms. Should this be possible for Firaxis as well?

I really want to learn more about Linux and if possible only use as operating system. However, Civ is one of the very few remaining programs I can't use on Linux (or, obviously, hasn'y find a replacement for). I've just starting to look at a Linux tool called Cedega which might allow me to play Civ on Linux, but it's of course not as a good option as having native support. Do you also want Civ5 to be released for Linux in addition to Windows?

[Brutus66]

I vote Yes.
I would gladly dump Windows for Linux if it was more compatible for gaming.
Alas, I have heard that Civ won't run with Wine, and Cedega is a monthly fee. I won't go for a subscription fee even if it were five cents.

[MoonWolf]

I would actually like to see of there is any good reasons why Civ5 shouldn not be made for Linux as well. If people have voted "no" without any reasons... well, it's a shame...

Seems also like someone doesn't know what Linux is. Well, like Windows, its an operating system (OS). The OS is what makes the physical parts of you computer able to "talk" together and with other machines e.g. over the internet. Without an OS, you can't run any programs/ games. The programs must be made in such a way so that they can be used on a certain or different OS's. For the moment, the OS called Windows is by far the most used by private people, but more and more want to use Linux as OS instead. That's why I think Civ5 should be developed for Linux as well. Other game makers have no big problems with this, why can't Civ5 be made for linux as well?

[LordShiva]

Civ5 should use DX10

And there is no DX10 for Linux

[MoonWolf]

Civ5 should use OpenGL

DX10 is only for windows vista (probably not even XP). OpenGL is for everyone...

[Targonis]

For it to work under Linux, it would need to use OpenGL instead of DirectX, or to support both. That alone would cause problems since ATI doesn't do OpenGL very well.

There is always the issue of Linux not being unified. You have MANY different flavors, with different X Windows implementations, UIs, and such. Also, library versions change under Linux VERY VERY often.

[Elwro]

I voted YES. I use Linux when working; the only reason I keep Windows installed for is gaming.

[Jaybe]

I voted no. Mac OS is close enough (though I have a Windoze machine just for playing Civ).

[Keygen]

How about they release a Linux version for Civ4 too?

They can outsource this so no inside resources are actually used

[Solver]

I'm sure that Take Two would be very happy to pay for that .

[LordShiva]

Baltimore

Bangalore

Imagine all the extra developers, artists, playtesters, etc., they could hire? I wouldn't be able to complain anymore about adding useless civs and units.

[MoonWolf]

@Targonis:
ATI supports OpenGL well enough. Yes, nVidia is better, but Civ is anyway not that demanding. And I've been playing OpenGL games that are far more heavy than CIv graphicwise with ATI cards, so not really a good excuse.

@Lordshiva & Targonis:
Having a lot of different Linux flavors is irrelevant. You don't need one version of the game for each one. As I've said, other game developers have done this. I mean even Enemy Territory, the free mulitplayer version of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, the commercial developers ID software released for both Windows and Linux. So I don't think it's that big of an issue. I'm not a programmer, but graphic files and sound files can be the same. I would assume the game core as well if it's written in a language than both system can understand. Or, I don't think it's that much extra effort to translate one programming language to an other as the logics are often the same (programmers knowing one language don't have problems learning/ understanding an other).

I hope some one from Take Two reads and my comment this. Ok, it will cost a few bucks extra but also opens up for a new market. And they will gain respect. Also, players don't having to buy Windows can then instead spend their money on CIv and expansion packs

[Keygen]

Loki used to port commercial games from Windows to Linux but the company got closed so I guess they didn't sell much in Linux

However things are getting better lately and perhaps it could be a good idea to start porting games in Linux again

[snoopy369]

Given Take Two owns Firaxis, and TT has a lot invested in the XBox360, I suspect DirectX10 will be the way they go...

[Kuciwalker]

Wasting time on a linux version they could be using to improve the game