Re:Ending Support for macOS and Linux
by SteveGoob on Thursday January 23, 2020 @09:16PM
(#22134775)
I would disagree; "Better Platform" != "Supported Platform".
While it is an admission Linux gaming was hardly going to take off on its own from a cold start, it allows people to use the platform that makes more sense for them. With the increased capability of Linux+Proton as a platform, its horizons are pushed and it makes more sense for more people.
The only possible downside here is the potential for a developer to neglect Linux support now that people "can just run it in proton", netting Linux users a couple losses of what-would-have-been native ports. However, I believe the increase to the viability of Linux gaming overall makes up for it.
Especially, considering that more linux gamers increase ROI for a native linux version.
Not by much, considering the results of Steam's hardware survey.
Maybe, but a fairer statement would be "even on Linux, Windows, without the Microsoft, is a better gaming platform."
Not exactly, the the correct obvious admission is that Linux is a better Windows, as an extra translation layer for Win32 API to Linux/POSIX still has better performance (most games I play on Proton) than native Windows.
I’m 100% not complaining because Proton has enabled me to play a libraries worth of games that were previously unavailable but it’s not exactly a victory Linux. The future might look like devs testing a little bit in Proton as “Linux support.”