Beyond 3D recently reported that id Software, you know the people behind such games as Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake, was not going to be making the next big release available on the Linux platform. Quoting an interview in a German publication with the id Software CEO, Todd Hollenshead, the article suggested that there would be no Linux version of Rage, and that the Windows version would use Direct3D instead of OpenGL as a further kick in the family jewels for the open source movement.
The interview does, indeed, show Hollenshead as stating that a Linux version of id Tech 5, the new game engine, is not planned. It also suggests that id Lead Programmer John Carmack isn't as interested in Linux as he once was and so Rage will be a DX9 game.
The good news for Linux loving first person shooter fans is that the man himself, John Carmack, has responded by posting a comment at Slashdot which was awash with rumours regarding the change of heart.
Here is what he has to say:
"There is certainly no plans for a commercially supported Linux version of Rage, but there will very likely be a Linux executable made available. It isn't running at the moment, but we have had it compiled in the past. Running on additional platforms usually provides some code quality advantages, and it really only takes one interested programmer to make it happen. The PC version is still OpenGL, but it is possible that could change before release."
So there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth, that Linux Rage is coming to a computer near you soon enough after all. Probably…
