From: "J." <jfg@mauimail.com>
Subject: Shadowbane for Linux petition open
To: lwn@lwn.net
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 22:13:39 -0800

Hoping this is worthy as a news tip, I am.

Shadowbane, a new massively-multiplayer game now in development, will be
released in late 2000, says startup developer Wolfpack Studios. The genre
of multiplayer "persistent worlds," which includes Ultima Online,
EverQuest, Meridian 59 and Asheron's Call, is still growing, though
Shadowbane is one of only a few that will be released for the MacOS as well
as Windows.

Partly because of this, the question has been asked as to whether
Shadowbane will be released for Linux. Todd "Warden" Coleman, Shadowbane's
executive producer, had this to say:

"Well, we've actually talked about Linux support in the past (and since we
use Open GL, and have a single code base for both PC (Windows) and Mac, it
wouldn't be *that* hard to do) -- but, to be honest, the market cry for it
just hasn't been that great. If we get enough response from Linux users,
I'm sure that we'll pay attention."

The DrTwisTer Network's Shadowbane site (http://sb.drtwister.com/) is happy
to oblige Linux users to make themselves heard. The SB for Linux petition
has attracted 220 Linux users since its announcement on LinuxGames last
week, and word-of-mouth continues to spread. Here are some comments from
petitioners so far:

  "Linux is rapidly becoming a viable OS for gamers, as the concurrent platform
  release of Quake III and Unreal Tournament demonstrate. Why not be the first
  to bring MMORPG to a platform other than Windows?"

  "I have been looking at Ultima Online, but since the Linux port of the client
  is only updated when someone at Origin has spare time, I would probably be
  kicked off the system at random intervals.  I want to buy and play a massively
  multiplayer system which is at least kept up-to-date for Linux."

  "The reason there is not a huge "market cry" for Linux, is because There
  are very few commercial games available for it as of now. It will remain so
  until companies start giving more support.(in the form of product) It will
  most likely take a few generations of quality games to create this "market
  cry". Hopefully, this will not discourage developers from supporting Linux.
  The companies that offer Linux products early on, will be remembered forever
  as being those who helped to drive the Linux market forward."

  "I'd like to see ShadowBane come to Linux simply because I'd LOVE to play a
  first person perspective MMORPG in Linux.  I run Linux exclusively, with no
  Microsoft products on my computer.  I am, therefore, limited to games that run
  in, or have been ported to Linux.  Even if you, WolfPack, do not decide to
  make a port, please consider allowing Loki Games (www.lokigames.com).  They
  have done an excellent jobs porting successful games to Linux.  I'm mainly an
  OpenGL developer, but I like to enjoy an online game every now and then."

  "With the upcomming release of XFree86 4.0, a graphics standard for Linux shall
  be introduced. There is now mainstream support for both sound and graphics
  through major companies... And if configured correctly, Linux should prove to
  provide a better gaming experience than Windows or other constricting OS."

  "Linux is a little snowball that has the makings of an avalanche.
  Most developpers have waffled for years on support for Linux while waiting for
  the rest of the industry to show it's support...the fact of the matter is that
  linux has evolved into a mature OS on its own! Any game developper considering
  to enter the world of linux is most certainly taking a gamble as far as making
  an INITIAL return on their investment.
  For me the bottom line is that the Linux and Unix community has it's on own
  personal stake in the history of online rpg's (and I cite the popularity of
  MUDs) and In the creation of ONLINE COMMUNITIES! Linux users have supported
  each other virtually for the past 8 years and will continue to do as long as
  Linux exists =)"

  "I'm tired of dual-booting to Windows to play games.  I loved Myth and
  Civilization ports to Linux, and am thrilled by the Q3Arena release - it
  proves Linux is a viable platform for games of all types.  Bring it on!"

The Shadowbane for Linux petition is at:

http://sb.drtwister.com/linux/

The page contains a few details that Linux users are encouraged to read
before adding to the petition. Please send additional questions or comments
via e-mail to j@drtwister.com.

And we thank you for your support.

J.
damned vulpine
http://sb.drtwister.com/
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