Digital Distribution: Linux and Mac (any advice?)

I really like Steam. I think it's a great platform for putting games out for people to play. Sadly, it currently only works for Windows.

I've been doing research on other distribution platforms, but they just don't meet my needs. You see, one of the aspects of Steam that I like is forced updating to the latest version of a game. The profit system I have planned for my current project is based off in-game ads that are updated every week. Steam's system fits this perfectly.

Eventually, I want to port my game to Linux and Mac systems. After all, that's what BlitzMax is designed to do! But I can't seem to find a Linux/Mac DD system that works in the same way, and I'd rather not have to design my own and host my own files.

Are there any services out there similar to Steam? If not, should I stick with Windows until one is created, or get started on an in-house system?

Any comments will be appreciated!

There is not really a *demand* for games on Linux afaik. IMO there is wayyy to much of an issue with drivers on Linux for it really even being feasible at the moment (OK so it WORKS, but is usually hard to get the gpx setup correctly, I have yet to properly do so).

I honestly don't think just going for windows is going to hurt sales much.

Would the Mac version have to be ad supported? I thought Mac users were generally much happier to pay for their software (I am -- perhaps mistakenly? -- assuming the Windows version to be free).

@ Plash: "I honestly don't think just going for windows is going to hurt sales much. "

I totally agree, and even if BlitzMax was Windows only, I'd most likely still be using it. Having said that, I really like the idea of developing for Linux, even if it's just out of principle. This doesn't have to be a thing that happens right away, but "eventual" Linux support is wanted.

I guess I really shouldn't worry about Linux distribution until I actually get a working port of the game going.

@ Sledge: All versions of the game would be supported by ads (aka free to play), which is why all versions need forced updating to play (like Steam provides). Ad-based revenue is an inherent part of the project. You might even say that the game is designed to be an experiment in alternative revenue systems.

Well if you go for shareit, btmicro-type distribution that would be a cross-platform solution.

On linux, of course, you have apt-get and yum (on Debian and RedHat based distros respectively). Why not set up your own repostiory with the game for the most popular distros (Ubuntu etc.). Toribash does this and it works great. All linux users need to do is add your repository, and your updates will show up along all other software and system updates on their machine.

This way you're also using an existing service on peoples machine. One thing I hate is when each software or game has it's own update/download program that runs in the background (e.g. iTunes, Adobe, EA Games and many more).

If the game will be completely financed by advertising, and it's usually just the ads you want to update. Why not have the game itself check with your server on boot, and download the most recent ads. I have games I got from Opera on my mobile that work this way. They are free, but every now and then they fetch new adverts (of course, asking me nicely if I want to). If I don't fetch them I can't play...or you could give people three chances to delay fetching the ads, and force them to fetch on the fourth.

What ragtag said. Aptitude and YUM are already there, and readily available. No need to re-invent the wheel.

As for Windows, my Dell Laptop came with some sort of update manager tool, but the only applications that used it, where the shovelware ones that shipped with it. Otherwise it seems like on Windows you have to roll your own (one of the disadvantages of having a closed propriety platform i guess, maybe in Windows 7).

The popular choice for Windows and Mac unfortunately seems to be to reinvent the wheel, as practically every application I have on Windows has it's own updater, where as on Debian it's pretty much just SpamAssassin.

Hmm... It seems that updating tools are already available, but don't have forced updating as an option. I guess I'll have to put that in the game itself.

One of the hopeful appeals of the project for the user is that there will be a very small content update every week that happens along with the ad changes. That in itself might be enough to convince the user to update the game, but if not, I do like ragtag's idea.

What about security? Would embedding ad images in the exe. help? Can this even be done with BlitzMax? What if the user spoofs a connection to the server? Should I even be worried if I'm releasing an indie title that's free anyway? Do you have any other suggestions?

I really appreciate the help everyone!

With Synaptic/apt, yumex/yum you dont need steam.

The only thing steam has any use for; is pushing windows software a bit more successfully on an already saturated market, providing copy protection to the point of violating consumer rights, and annoying people with its aggressive software behavior (like always loaded by default, popups etc).

@plash, what about the certified hardware & drivers? To be honest i have had more problems with Vista and drivers than i have ever had with ubuntu.

Btw....if your game/software contacts a server to fetch ads, make it very clear to the user what you're doing. People dislike software that secretly phones home. :)

I never used Vista :P. Firefox in Ubuntu 8.04 is SLOOOOWW (scrolling, etc). Most of my graphical tests work on Ubuntu, but some applications run really slow (I think I tried the Envy drivers and the ATI ones, both sucked.)

Everything is kind of mixed, the only reason I choose to develop on XP is because of a decent IDE, in Linux though I have full window management and workspaces - those are really handy.

I don't recommend Firefox on Ubuntu, and not just because it's slow. It's ugly and completely not integrated, too!
Try Epiphany, instead -- or Opera if you want speed. (Epiphany still uses Firefox's slug of a rendering engine for the time being).

Don't meant to turn this into a Linux thread, but I should also point out a recent discovery I made! Gedit ("Text Editor") makes a wonderful IDE when you throw in a few extra plugins :)
Just leave a terminal open on the side and it's like magic.

@Picklesworth: I use Firefox on Linux because I can use the exact same profile (all my favorites, history, options, etc.) that I use on XP. GEdit eh? Hows syntax highlighting for Max?

The firefox beta that ships off the ubuntu hardy cd was much slower than firefox 2 in dapper but as soon as I updated hardy the non-beta firefox 3 was no longer sluggish.

Ive not noticed any slowness in FF2 or 3 on either windows or ubu. Both are smooth and had no problems. (2 was buggy at first on windows but they fixed that)
Perhaps i got lucky with the versions or something :/

I think mine is up-to date, but this is getting off topic :P

Valve really needs to stepup and get a Linux version of Steam and the Source engine. HL2 and other Source engines basically already work in wine/cedega.

I think it boils down to whether your egg is hard-boiled or soft.