The article is mostly speculation.

I've heard that one before...

At this point I have absolutely zero expectations for GOG until they actually deliver on any of their Linux promises.

Isn't proton open source?

They could make a Linux client that uses Proton just like Steam does?

Maybe even their own forks of Proton that are more suited to the kinds of games they have on the platform (like the Glorious Eggrolls spin offs).

Ehhhhh.

I actually think the current model is what more stores should be doing. Have a solid web store/client with the ability to just download games without anything else. Provide hooks so that third parties (e.g. Heroic) can manage games for people.

Rather than assuming every single store needs to dedicate resources towards building out library management tools. Especially since EGS has shown that people will then just want social media on top of that.

The more the merrier. Heroics launcher allows GOG to function but it currently feels pretty janky compared to Steam. I might actually use GOG if they create a better UI/UX than they currently have.

I hope they also improve offline installers. Some games have really whack setups where there are so many patches you have to apply. Order matters, some patches seem optional.

Easiest way to install gog games would be heroic games launcher imo
edit: And so says their guide

Been hearing this for years.

That said, with Linux market share growing, it makes more sense than ever before.

I really hope they aren't fibbing this time.

I'm always leery of new ownership.

I used Heroic to install FO4 and FOLON, all I care about using GOG for ATM, just to keep Steam from forcing me to update. It works just fine, thank you very much.

I'd honestly rather them not release their own Linux launcher. Heroic is fantastic, I'd much rather them contribute to that, either via development time or by sponsoring them. Some sort of official partnership with them would be cool.

GOG Galaxy needs more polish, it still feels like alpha quality software

It would be great if they contributed to open source projects like the Heroic Launcher, Lutris and even Wine and DXVK.

IMHO yet another store-exclusive (even worse if closed-source) sales + launcher application for Linux wouldn't really be a step forward for Linux.

I expect that anybody who doesn't have a fanboy relationship towards Steam already does or will if they just think a little bit, see that an open-source store-independent universal games launcher is way more free and open (and hence aligned with the Linux ethos and immune to enshittification) than any store-exclusive sales + launcher app.

As it so happens, given that freedom in gaming is GOGs unique value proposition, business-wise it's IMHO more advantageous for them to (very loudly and very visibly) support open source universal launchers (and maybe even some kind of open games store front protocol and open source implementation) and windows gaming adaptor layers (like Wine) serving a community with a higher awareness of the need for Software Freedom, than pushing yet another proprietary (even if open source) launcher that only works with their store - a seamless universal launcher is far more likely to pull people away from the Steam App than a GOG App.

Under such a strategy some soft marketing of in their store website promoting Linux Gaming Distros for Windows users and of promoting those universal launchers for Linux users, might help pull more people away from the closed-source store-specific application of their biggest competitor.

Heroic is fine enough for me except that I would want it to have background downloads on Steam Deck and better achievements integration.

If we get this, I don’t need anything official from GOG even if more official Linux support is always welcome😇

They stopped giving away free games. I don't know why but they haven't been giving away games over 6 months. If I'm mistaking correct me please.

Look harder.

and that's something that we'll be looking at.

Meanwhile, steam is over here cornering the market

It's been years since they last promised a Linux client.

Heroic Games Launcher is pretty good if you just need to play the games from GOG.

GOG's installers work great with Wine as do the games themselves. If you desperately need a launcher before you can even consider them, you can use Heroic Games Launcher - in fact I'd prefer if they throw their weight behind it than on Galaxy. A match made in heaven.

I guess the other good thing is GOG is not a US company, they're based in Poland. No tax money going to the American regime and their shenanigans I never asked for.

A nothingburger

To all current GOG+Linux users and to all those who care about fighting a (albeit benevolent) monopoly:

log in to GOG and make your voice heard in the forums!

Ah yes, when they get the stupid runner on all platforms, it will be a great excuse to cut the standalone installers.

What could they even do? The games work fine on linux

GOG, it will be easier to "look a bit closer at Linux" if you pull your heads out of your asses.

When they released Witcher 2 on Linux (CDPR) some top hat (sorry I don't remember who) did not like the feedback from the players and used it as reasons to not support Linux on subsequent titles. One hope it is not the same guy that bought GOG.

Lemme copy my own post from somewhere else

GOG's installers work great with Wine as do the games themselves. If you desperately need a launcher before you can even consider them, you can use Heroic Games Launcher - in fact I'd prefer if they throw their weight behind it than on Galaxy. A match made in heaven.

I guess the other good thing is GOG is not a US company, they're based in Poland. No tax money going to the American regime and their shenanigans I never asked for.

Only what, 10 years late?

at this rate, couldn't they just sunset their client and contribute towards heroic?

It would be what helps me embrace the platform more over Steam.

I won't hold my breath, but I would welcome it.

An official API for third parties to pull games/ownership would be ideal to me. So handheld/TV environments could pull those for a launcher. Shouldn't be so reliant on Steam for a good TV/handheld environment. Should be store agnostic