Windows 8 and CloD (Merged Threads)

[TheGrunch]

Originally Posted by ZaltysZ

This is a minor issue. They lack the interest, because majority of sims target Windows platform. If there were more ports of popular sims, NP would probably have to provide support for Linux or loose to LinuxTrack (which works with Webcams and TrackIR devices) or something similar.

The real issue is porting of games. It is not a trivial and cheap task. Valve can boast about linux porting, because lots of their games were created with intention to provide multiplatform support. This is not the case with majority of other older games, in which there is a more tight coupling between game parts and OS specific APIs.

I foresee TrackIR support as a problem because they don't necessarily have any relevant experience that would equip them to provide such support - but you are right, it would be a sink or swim venture for them in that scenario. Thanks for pointing out linux-track!
I agree that we shouldn't expect many older games to be ported. The majority of my favourite games work great in WINE (or Dosbox!), but that is just good luck. GOG.com have moved into the Mac market recently, and it will be interesting to see whether they take that a step beyond offering Dosbox games and how the rest of the PC gaming market reacts to Valve's move.
One of the promising things about the many Kickstarter-like projects and indeed many indie games is the prevalence of a Linux/Mac OS port in the planned feature list. If that is actually followed through and catches on it would certainly have a positive effect.