Linux And Automation

[Speedemon]

Linux may not be compatable with most games, but you can admit it is a great software! I have been trying to get automation on my computer which uses linux and it is not working. It would be nice if someone helped, but first, do you think that automation may have a future with linux or other operating systems?

[Leonardo9613]

Linux isn't supported by the current game engine, however when the switch to the new game engine comes, more platforms will be available.

[vmo]

I'm using provisionally Linux (is the computer of School of mu brother), and it's very difficult to use: for example, to install the Java (and for the moment, I can't install this due the dificults) with commands.

I prefer Windows.

[TommyTheBiker]

do you think that automation may have a future with linux or other operating systems?

Read the FAQs

Linux may not be compatable with most games, but you can admit it is a great software! I have been trying to get automation on my computer which uses linux and it is not working.

The best solution is to use a virtualized instance of Windows, but there two major issues:
1)it's not a free (bot as in "free speech" and as in "free beer") solution
2)you will need a pretty tough CPU

Another possible solution is using WINE, that is a set of compatibility libraries for Windows application (but NOT a full Windows emulator). Needed specs are much lower (as you do not need to emulate the full OS), but configuration is kinda pain in the @$$ sometimes. You can also try Playonlinux, that is a videogame-oriented custom version of WINE.

[nialloftara]

The hardest part about Linux is your first install and update. Between leaving xp and going to xp64 a few years back I ran Ubuntu for about 4 months, I needed my phone or iPad next to me for the first few days figuring out different commands and at times to download a .tar file I couldn't understand how to get. I had a few vague memories of using dos back when I was a kid so I could do a few simple command line functions, but by the end of the second week it was just another os, albeit one that I didn't really understand behind the GUI level. It's great and I totally support the selfless people who continue to improve these open source applications, but as someone who's been used to windows since win 3.1/95 and a big time gamer it's just not right for me.

[TommyTheBiker]

Windows is indeed better for gaming, for one simple reason: Windows is always the same. If you create something that works smoothly on Windows (e.g.) Seven, there is a very high probability that you program will run on every PC using Windows Seven.

The same thing does not happens on Linux, because "Linux" means nothing. There are thousands of Linux "distros", with different kernels (the "core" of the OS), graphical environment, et cetera, and they are fully customizable too. So, potentially, every PC running Linux could be totally different from the other ones. That's why gaming on Linux is kinda hard.

BUT... Linux users usually choose among a few number "distros", so, it's becoming easier and easier to grant a wide-range compatibility when writing videogames for Linux. The Linux version of Steam, the most popular gaming platform for PC users, is counting a growing number of "blockbuster" games. Retrogaming enthusiasts often uses Linux, because thanks to the very low Linux specs requirement, you can easily play old games with a low-end computer.

For those who're worried about console commands, don't worry: the most "mainstream" distros have a (or more than one) full-graphic software for easy install of every program you will need (for example, my favourite one is Synaptic). You just need to type the name of your needed program inside a search box and voilà! It's even simplier than on Windows: no need to visit the software producer website, download the installer, click "Yes/Next" dozens of times... it's fully automatic. If the program you want is not on the list, you can have it using the old-fashioned, windows-style way: this time too there is no need to type commands, just download an "exe installer" (well, they're called "deb" or "rpm", but they work just like a Windows exe), double-click on it and wait.

For what concerns Automation, well, first of all we need to have the full game; we can worry about Linux versions later In the meantime, you can use virtual machines or WINE... or a dual boot system (Linux and Windows on the same computer), as I do

[vmo]

Some programs that need DX can't run well with WINE (tested by me).

[adamd]

I have managed to get the game to start under Linux, and play audio, but then it crashed on the loading screen and played the music forever. I borked my Ubuntu install shortly after trying to get it to work, and never went back to it.