UT3 Linux Is "Slowly Being Worked On"

[phoronix]

Phoronix: UT3 Linux Is "Slowly Being Worked On"

Unreal Tournament 3 was released for the PC nearly two years ago, and there was the promise of a Linux client and it was being worked on by Ryan Gordon, but to this day there is still no such client. Back in March it was said that it was still undergoing work, but there was no ETA for its completion...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=NzQzMw

[numasan]

Well, we need something new to make fun of now that DNF is officially dead ;)

[Tares]

Although from the day one I believed that I'll play this game on linux, but now I think that kind of statements are more like : "I'll tell community once a while that game is still under development so some poor noobs will still wait for linux client... *here put evil laugh* " :/

[immudium]

Should not be this difficult. Clearly something else is going on that they're not telling us. But whatever. Not quite dead yet is still better than six feet under. I'll still buy it if it comes out, but every day that passes diminishes how much I'm willing to pay for it.

[dopehouse]

I think it's to late to buy this game. If it comes out today, I wouldn't buy it anymore. Why should I buy a two year old game? Mr. Gorden could spend his time for other projects now.

Sorry Epic, to late is to late.

[mirv]

If Epic were serious about releasing it, it would have been released by now. Any comments from Epic these days are basically a joke.

[atriqus]

@Epic:

We've moved on. The Linux community has already written it off as a failure to release, and due to broken promise after broken promise after vague/useless "update", will continue to treat it as such even in the off-chance an installer materializes.

Cut your losses and develop your next game with the lessons learned from the failure that was UT3/linux.

[RealNC]

Now you see me, now you don't.

[fabioamd87]

Epic Fail!

[Jecos]

Epic Fail!

Ditto. hahaha. Kinda sad their name fits so well with the word fail.

[bulletxt]

Epic shit. Get the hell out of the Linux community. And most importantly keep your funny jokes in your office. Don't spread shit to the world. There is already plenty of it, don't increase it.

[AHSauge]

"Slowly Being Worked On" Riiiight ... Sure the guys name wasn't Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf aka. Baghdad Bob?

Seriously though, I don't believe it before I see it. On the upside, the game is now so old and cheap that it might just be worth buying the damn game.

[hax0r]

As longest it's coming out... :).

[Remco]

I wonder what they are hoping for if they eventually release the Linux version. Why not just cancel it?

[Adarion]

So did they use the wrong APIs and libs? Did they include 3rd party software that they cannot (easily) port to Linux? I don't know.
But Epic Fail sounds quite good in that case.

[Kano]

Maybe you get Duke Nukem Forever for Linux faster ;)

[Tares]

Maybe you get Duke Nukem Forever for Linux faster ;)

Nice one, but I would say... Halo ? :D

[whizse]

Yes, I think we understood the "slowly" part. :rolleyes:

Much like DNF I don't really care about the game, but it would be interesting to know what went wrong. Some sort of management snafu?

[Midler]

Hahahaha i am laughing my ass out of the jokes here :P

Well, good that someone takes this up and push for it. I've even bought the game for my friend and my brother so we could play it when the linux client came out.

Well, i believe someone is on vacation right now? However, keep up the work and try to give us the client asap!

[unimatrix]

UT3?!

Isn't that a game that used to be played back in the days...?

[dashcloud]

I can't figure out why they would bother answering at all- the answer just makes them look worse: if anyone still believed it was coming out, this answer was unnecessary, and for the doubters Epic is asking you to "trust them" that it's still in progress.

Their best hope is to wait until everyone's forgotten about it (again!) and then release the game.

[RagingDragon]

At this point I half expect the UT4 Linux client to be released before the UT3 client.

[AHSauge]

I can't figure out why they would bother answering at all- the answer just makes them look worse: if anyone still believed it was coming out, this answer was unnecessary, and for the doubters Epic is asking you to "trust them" that it's still in progress.
I guess someone at Epic thinks it might be worse to just ignore the request, thereby also completely ignoring the linux community. Maybe to preserve what little credibility that's left in the hopes of either actually releasing the client "some day" or release linux clients for future games.

On the other hand, it's not going to raise their credibility either, unless they actually release the client. So if they don't plan on doing it, it's just a waste of everyones time unless they plan on releasing future linux clients (on the presumption that lying is being "better" than ignoring). Either way they have to be planing on releasing something to the linux community, or the whole thing is just really, really pointless (why answer if you don't care?). Which means they must be planing something, or be really stupid. Hopefully they're not stupid, but who knows ...

[L33F3R]

the reputation amoung linux users is damaged to the point of no return. Honesty is the best medicine.


epic I never bought your game, now i never will. I wouldnt even consider stealing it. When a canadian says he wouldnt even bother stealing your software, you know you F'd up.

[jyoshm]

I have a theory: What if someone at Epic was cleaning up some files and all of a sudden he hits "rm -rf /" and bang, the whole game sources are gone (of course, they were all in one place, and no backups at all :D). The whole matter is classified, and poor Ryan ends up having to code the game all over again.

[AHSauge]

I have a theory: What if someone at Epic was cleaning up some files and all of a sudden he hits "rm -rf /" and bang, the whole game sources are gone (of course, they were all in one place, and no backups at all :D). The whole matter is classified, and poor Ryan ends up having to code the game all over again.

<icculus> If I told you what the specific problem is, you wouldn't believe me
... and suddenly it all makes sense ... :p

[Setlec]

i think that Epic devs have deleted all files on their SVN server and from that when someone would do a check out, the files would be deleted including Icculus' computer.

[Kevin]

It just seems to me that they are intentionally teasing Linux users with no real intention on releasing the Linux port.

[Remco]

OK, weird reasons for delaying UT3:


One of the middleware companies refuses to sell another license because the CEO was completely owned by a bunch of noobs.
Icculus was found out to be a minor, and is not allowed to work on a Mature-rated game.
Mr Gordon has been reported missing since the Portal Storms began and will not be heard from until 2020.
UT3's awesome menu system depends on Internet Explorer's rendering engine.

Who can think of better ones? :D

[MakotoTheKnight]

It does seem ludicrous that this port has taken two years for it to be released, and even now, it's not looking like a very appealing game to play. But...it's still a port, and considering the state of Linux's graphics today (hint: ATI), I could almost understand why it took them a year to get it out out the door.

Unfortunately, I haven't found what the other year of delays is yet.

Just a generic message, anyway - if a game developer wants to have the best chance at making cash with a port, then they really should strike while the iron is hot. We really don't need this turning into another DNF.

[Yfrwlf]

if a game developer wants to have the best chance at making cash with a port, then they really should strike while the iron is hot.

They've lost their chance, the boat has come and sailed I think. Oh sure, there might be a few interested in UT3, but due to the game's overall meritocracy in comparison to several of the other 3D shooters out there, I think the market is too crowded now for them to care.

Theory #523: Perhaps when they started it all, they were pepped up thinking they could make another UT2, but as things progressed and they realized it wasn't going to do too well, that meant the cost/income ratio got too close for the Linux client to justify it. That, and ETQW for Linux came out and probably finished bursting their bubble.

I like the Microsoft killed it theory better though, since that coincides with what Linux users are used to. :D

[earlyberd]

Here's what I think.

If UT3 comes out on Linux, regardless of whether people are going to play it, it will still be the best FPS on the platform, bar none. It has every other game beat as far as graphics, sound, presentation, and gameplay. Of course I'm speaking for myself when I say that I think it's also very fun to play, but there's no way you can tell me that the rest of the game doesn't make Quake 4 look and play as good as a playground swing.

Some of you say you've already forgotten about UT3. In favor of what? What beautiful, Linux-native game soon to be released has your attention in such a stranglehold that you'd compare UT3 to pile of ground beef? Id hasn't confirmed Linux ports for any of their two latest games, HoN isn't even in the same ballpark, and Valve is set to release a Steam client somewhere in the next couple of millenia. Epic has absolutely no competition on Linux, and you guys act like it's no big deal if UT3 ever sees the light of day.

If you abandon all hope for UT3, you're basically saying the Linux platform is too good for these current-gen games, that Epic should move on with their next game, even though they clearly already have. And just so we're clear, a snooty, self-righteous attitude doesn't make Epic any happier to help.

The boat hasn't sailed. Some of the passengers may have left and gone home, but the rest of us are still waiting for either Epic to bring in the anchor, or a better boat to come along. And that horizon looks pretty damn empty.

[mirv]

UT3 can not match any game currently running on linux. UT3 does not run on linux. The point that many people are making, is the "if" part - Epic have failed to deliver it when they first said they would, and are now just stringing everyone along.
The game itself is to many people boring - where as etqw is fun to many people. Id have never confirmed linux as supported for any of their games.
I would have to say that Epic got on a high horse, and UT3 brought them crashing down. People don't buy a game simply because a company wants them to - the company has to make a game that people want.
Sure, if Epic ever actually releases a client then people will buy it - but it would be purely to have another game that runs on linux, not because said game is any good.

[yoshi314]

you can get the impression that the original code is beyond awful, if it takes that long to port it to linux ;-)

or, perhaps ryan is trying to sync the source with some more recent upstream modifications - perhaps ut3 engine is going to be used in more games, and that is the reason for delay?

[deanjo]

Well one of the big reasons people are still hoping it comes to linux is to have another quality engine running on linux and being able to run one of the many mods out there for it. Then there is also their superb editor that weighs heavily into the equation as well. Some of the best mods out there have been done on the UT engine (such as the UT99 remake on the UT3 engine.). Whether UT or ETQW is better is a matter of personal preference, for example I prefer the simplicity of a good FPS without the added complexity and stress on team play that ETQW requires.

[Setlec]

OK, weird reasons for delaying UT3:

* One of the middleware
companies refuses to sell another license because the CEO was completely owned by a bunch of noobs.
* Icculus was found out to be a minor, and is not allowed to work on a Mature-rated game.
* Mr Gordon has been reported missing since the Portal Storms began and will not be heard from until 2020.
* UT3's awesome menu system depends on Internet Explorer's rendering engine.

Who can think of better ones?
Reply With Quote



Icculus is Ryan Gordon's nickname!

[Ant P.]

Some of you say you've already forgotten about UT3. In favor of what?

UT2004, of course. It's dirt-cheap, more fun than UT3 according to the opinions I've heard from several windows users who played both, and the server list isn't a ghost town.

[pvtcupcakes]

Id hasn't confirmed Linux ports for any of their two latest games

Quake Live is in a closed beta test for Linux and Mac users right now.
And Rage was shown running on a Mac in 2007, so it's safe to say that if it can run on a Mac, it wouldn't be hard to get it running on Linux.

There really isn't any info on Doom 4, but since it uses the same engine as Rage, it'll run on a Mac at least. ;)

[tball]

I know whats wrong.


<icculus> If I told you what the specific problem is, you wouldn't believe me


They are working to make the game opensource. They are surpricing us :)
There still are some 3rd party legal issues, which has to be fixed before the game can be released as GPL.

[mirv]

Maybe it's something to do with engine licensees wanting the code too or something.

[Setlec]

nah after 2 years that's not possible. After a year it's understandable that some of licenses might give hard time, but not after 2 years. as the UE3 made so much cash...

[yogi_berra]

Maybe it is just the "Corporate Culture" at Epic taking over, e.g. the same "Corporate Culture" that keeps them from hiring anyone that refuses to work 60+ hours a week without overtime keeps them from paying icculus to finish the port.

[Setlec]

I don't think so, in my opinion, Icculus must have been payed to port UT3 to linux and if that's the case I really don't understand why it's taking so long time to port. He isn't a noob programmer! It will be great if he reappear to give us some updates on the current situation of UT3.

[Naib]

I don't think so, in my opinion, Icculus must have been payed to port UT3 to linux and if that's the case I really don't understand why it's taking so long time to port. He isn't a noob programmer! It will be great if he reappear to give us some updates on the current situation of UT3.

He would have been given a fixed-price contract for the port (most things like this are) thus it is in his interest to finish the initial port as quickly as possible (there would have been some terms & condition w.r.t. support for patches as well)


So basically Epic have been dicking around...
I am glad I didn't impulse buy U3 when they said there would be a linux client at launch...

With ETQW being a fantastic game (esp now alot of the stats-whores have left), X3 for nice relaxing fighting, HoN (beta) and Postal3 due out this year I shall not be missing Epic

support the companies that do support linux!

[Setlec]

i whish wolfenstein would have a linux client but i think that will never happen... postal 3 is going to have a linux client?

[L33F3R]

the only option is to support indies now. Its like walking when your a war amp.

[Naib]

i whish wolfenstein would have a linux client but i think that will never happen... postal 3 is going to have a linux client?

the new wolf has been confirmed to not have a linux client
Rage won't be released with linux support but hasn't been ruled out

yes postal3 is going to have a linux client (that has been the source of all the "ZOMG STEAM ON LINUX!!!!" rumours

[Setlec]

hmmm, well let's hope that more indies companies will support linux. imo, i won't commit the same mistake as i did to buy ut3, i won't buy wolfenstein b4 a possible linux client will be released.

[L33F3R]

hmmm, well let's hope that more indies companies will support linux. imo, i won't commit the same mistake as i did to buy ut3, i won't buy wolfenstein b4 a possible linux client will be released.

wrong. dont buy it till it comes out.

[Setlec]

it's what I meant, sorry for mis-writing!

[L33F3R]

it's what I meant, sorry for mis-writing!

forgiven you are :D

[deanjo]

forgiven you are :D


So leafs winning the cup or UT3 linux first?

[L33F3R]

So leafs winning the cup or UT3 linux first?

you see its the same principal. Leafs wont win the cup just as UT3 wont be released for linux. But here we are talking about them and as a result of hype money has been pumped into both franchises.

However at this point in time id say the leafs have a good chance. I have been saying this for years but THIS year will be the year. :D

[Dragonlord]

you see its the same principal. Leafs wont win the cup just as UT3 wont be released for linux. But here we are talking about them and as a result of hype money has been pumped into both franchises.

However at this point in time id say the leafs have a good chance. I have been saying this for years but THIS year will be the year. :D
No way... :D

[RagingDragon]

So leafs winning the cup or UT3 linux first?

Irrelevant - the universe will end (one way or another) first. :D

[acreda]

stupid question time.........

has anyone even been able to mount the DVD in the first place, i was going to see if the new CXgames version 8 had any luck but i cant even get the DVD loaded.....

[eppe]

stupid question time.........

has anyone even been able to mount the DVD in the first place, i was going to see if the new CXgames version 8 had any luck but i cant even get the DVD loaded.....

Yes i can mount the dvd.
and the game "works" with cedega.

post back how well it works with CX!

Cheers
eppe

[Svartalf]

Well, we need something new to make fun of now that DNF is officially dead ;)

It's not officially dead, though... It's resting...or is that pining for the Fjords?

[deanjo]

It's not officially dead, though... It's resting...or is that pining for the Fjords?

To semi quote the Pricess Bride.

"Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do."

[Svartalf]

To semi quote the Pricess Bride.

"Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do."

Heh... That'd be my take on that one. It's not quite time yet, but I'm thinking it's nearly time to go looking for loose change on that one.

[xav1r]

Well, now that there won't be another unreal title for a few years, maybe that means UT3 is finally getting some attention. ;)

[Setlec]

tbh I think that porting project is all dead. It's quite stupid to see that UT3 has a OpenGL version for PS3. And still no progress and tons of rumors about a linux version. What Icculus is doing it's unknown. Epic Games should ask to Icculus about the current state orther wise ask for partial refund of the porting cost (my speculation)...

[deanjo]

tbh I think that porting project is all dead. It's quite stupid to see that UT3 has a OpenGL version for PS3.

The PS3 version uses libgcm not OGL.

[whizse]

I very much doubt Icculus is to blame for the delay.

Also, wasn't he involved with the Mac port? Or is it delayed too?

[deanjo]

Also, wasn't he involved with the Mac port? Or is it delayed too?

Yes both are done by him. Both are MIA.

[acreda]

Yes i can mount the dvd.
and the game "works" with cedega.

post back how well it works with CX!

Cheers
eppe

Well, i wasn't able to get the DVD mounted so i left it in and rebooted the computer and it was mounted when i got back, must have been a fluke because i tried it again afterwards and it still wont mount so i got lucky!

So i installed it in a bottle and it was fine, windows installer started up and it all seemed to go thought fine. (didn't get asked for the keycode which is a bit strange)

I can get though all the crap! and on to the start screen but no joy after that just freezes and redraw stops....

oh well :(

[whizse]

Yes both are done by him. Both are MIA.

Aha, I don't really follow Mac gaming, but I would guess there would be a lot more angry users waiting for the game in that community?

(I don't really care for UT3 in itself, but there's a few interesting mods being developed for it.)

[deanjo]

Aha, I don't really follow Mac gaming, but I would guess there would be a lot more angry users waiting for the game in that community?

(I don't really care for UT3 in itself, but there's a few interesting mods being developed for it.)

Ya there are a bunch of ticked off mac users as well. Of course all posts reflecting such are immediately deleted from the UT forums.

[L33F3R]

Ya there are a bunch of ticked off mac users as well. Of course all posts reflecting such are immediately deleted from the UT forums.

freedom of speech sadly, doesnt exist on epic forums. Maybe its because epic China moderates it. :p

[BlueJayofEvil]

UT3 isn't worth waiting for. The dev team of one of my favorite UT mods said: There just isn't enough interest in UT3 out there, and recruiting efforts for experienced coders are falling flat. This really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has fired up the game lately and looked in the server browser. UT3 just isn't bringing in the players. And of course that also translates into fewer folks willing to mod for the game.(emphasis mine)
That team has since moved on to other projects. Perhaps we should do the same. UT3 was an Epic fail. I even saw a new copy of the Collector's Edition at a GameStop near where I live for $15. Maybe the next gen interation of the UT franchise will be more successful. Who knows.

[Setlec]

freedom of speech sadly, doesnt exist on epic forums. Maybe its because epic China moderates it. :p

nah, i don't think so but would be an excellent excuse.They just don't wanna take responsibility over the ports... I feel like that i was one of the idiots who gave money for such crappy game...

Is it worth to buy UT2004?

[L33F3R]

well if you bought UT3 after they promised a port and they aint gunna give us a port. I say steal UT04. I dont advocate software theft but what bugs me more is a broken promise.

[Setlec]

my pride and ethics don't allow me to steal softwares/Games.

[Svartalf]

my pride and ethics don't allow me to steal softwares/Games.

Two words: Thank. You. :D


As for UT3 being worth it or not...heh...ghost-towns have more appeal right at the moment from what I understand.

As an aside, Epic seems to be okay with selling UT2k4 over on GoG.com as at least a Windows install- which means they're still going to keep servers going for a while yet to come. To be honest, while the previous iterations were a bit more fun than 2k4, I'd bet money there's still quite a bit of a community and I would wonder if GoG has enough permission to make the Linux version also available. ;)

[Svartalf]

well if you bought UT3 after they promised a port and they aint gunna give us a port. I say steal UT04. I dont advocate software theft but what bugs me more is a broken promise.

Why bother? I'd rather show 'em that UT2k4's more preferred and we're staying there awhile if I'm going to have interaction with their product and the community associated with it. Moreover, what you propose kinda runs against many of the tenets of the Linux community. :D

If you're not going to play with 2k4, skip 'em altogether. They missed that train and they're going to have to ship with a simultaneous released version of UT4 for Linux, and have it be a bit more compelling than UT3 was or have a raftload of to be released games for Linux from licensees, for me to be interested with anything of theirs at this point in time.

[Max Spain]

UT2k4 is a good game that runs on Linux. Epic satisfied their commitment with that game, so I say buy it. Likewise, since they have not satisfied their commitment with UT3, I would advise you pass on that one until they do.

Having said that, I did have some problems getting UT2k4 to work on Ubuntu. It did function eventually (library dependencies), but it's not noob friendly ;)

[Ant P.]

Is it worth to buy UT2004?

It's well worth the money considering it's so cheap now.

[Svartalf]

It's well worth the money considering it's so cheap now.

I wouldn't know about that. Servers are not very populated. The main fun of UT4 is like the previous ones- it's the online arena play that makes it or breaks it.

[L33F3R]

heres a more simplified example of why it failed.

People are bored.


The prime of deathmatch was 1996-2000. It is now 2009 (for those of you who are a little behind). People change over time. Now people are all up into that hybrid driving epic future game with big worlds and free porn.

Its gaming evolution :D.

[Svartalf]

The prime of deathmatch was 1996-2000. It is now 2009 (for those of you who are a little behind). People change over time. Now people are all up into that hybrid driving epic future game with big worlds and free porn.

Oh, GTA, eh? :D

[xav1r]

Sounds more like id's new game, Rage, due out in Quakecon 2016.

[BlueJayofEvil]

heres a more simplified example of why it failed.

People are bored.


The prime of deathmatch was 1996-2000. It is now 2009 (for those of you who are a little behind). People change over time. Now people are all up into that hybrid driving epic future game with big worlds and free porn.

Its gaming evolution :D.

There's still a good interest in deathmatch (e.g. Quake Live, COD4, etc.) UT3 just didn't introduce much that was new. They removed a few game modes, reduced the amount of levels, had an unoriginal campaign mode, and there was little new content other than mostly cosmetic/graphical changes.

But I do agree games need to continue to evolve. Deathmatch can only be re-done so many times.

[D0pamine]

ONS was/is great in ut2k4 even thought the power node thing was/is abit silly , some maps you just charge powernodes instead of acutally fighting. UT3 more of the same powernode sillyness except there is no way to deal with certain vehicles on foot which makes it futile and depressing , TAM is a great ut2k4 mod and many were hoping this gametype would be included but it wasn't. I am however very glad that quake live has adopted TAM ( clan arena ) as its a relatively simple mod that adds flavour and excitement!