In this podcast, guest host popey from Linux Matters discusses the Wayland future and challenges of transitioning from X. They also talk about the UK government's impact on privacy, Unity's install-fee program changes, and the rise of Godot as an alternative to Unity.
Unity's decision to require developers to pay per install of their games led to backlash from the gaming community and raised concerns about piracy and financial burden.
Valve's contributions to the Linux and open source community, including their strategic move with the Steam Deck, have inadvertently boosted funding and visibility for alternative open source game engines like Godot, fostering innovation in the gaming industry.
Deep dives
Unity's controversial change in terms sparks backlash
Unity, a popular game engine, announced a change in their terms that would require developers to pay per install of their games. This sparked a significant outcry from the gaming community, as developers raised concerns about the implications for piracy and the financial burden this would place on them. The backlash eventually led Unity to reverse their decision and walk back the new pricing model. However, some skepticism remains about the company's future actions and trustworthiness.
Valve's positive impact on the open source community
Valve, known for their gaming platform Steam, has made significant contributions to the Linux and open source community. Their upstream contributions have been deemed valuable and beneficial. Valve's commitment to open source is seen as a strategic move to ensure the success of products like the Steam Deck. This has also inadvertently boosted the visibility and funding for alternative open source game engines like Godot, providing developers with more options and fostering innovation in the gaming industry.
KDE's introduction of sponsored work category for support
KDE recently introduced a new category for support called 'sponsored work.' This category allows users to contribute funds in exchange for developers addressing specific issues or implementing small changes. The aim is to provide a platform for users to support developers in resolving minor bugs or adding desired features. This initiative not only assists users in getting help with their specific needs but also supports developers financially and encourages their continued contributions to the KDE project.
The Wayland future is finally in sight, the UK government disappoints yet again, future LTS kernels won’t get 6 years of support, Unity drives people to Godot, Valve is a good open source citizen, an easy way to pay people to work on small KDE features and fixes, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Entroware. They are a UK-based company who sells computers with Ubuntu and Ubuntu MATE preinstalled. They have configurable laptops, desktops and servers to suit a wide range of Linux users. Check them out and don’t forget to mention us at checkout if you buy one of their great machines.