The Linux users will lose a distribution platform

Jun 8, 2015 12:24 GMT  ·  By

The Desura digital distribution platform might on the brink of going under after the parent company, Bad Juju, had filed for bankruptcy and payments to developers have been delayed.

The developers were first to report problems with the Desura because they weren't paid. A small delay transformed into a big delay and things seem to have escalated up to bankruptcy. The initial report from the parent company, Bad Juju, was that a bottleneck has been created in the payment system, and they were having problems. There was no mention of a problem with the company behind the project.

It seems that Desura, a home for Linux games before Steam got off the ground with this platform, is close to become a closed chapter. Unfortunately, this wasn't something new. Desura was no longer a real competition to Steam, and now we also have GOG doing a similar thing. Just the fact that it has been around for a long time doesn't matter anymore, and it's unlikely that Desura has a future.

Desura is going away, most likely

It's one thing not to be able to play the developers from a technicality; it's another thing to file for bankruptcy. In any case, the Linux platform will lose a long-time ally. This is the original message from Bad Juju.

"We are not refusing to pay you, this is a promise. There are delays, and issues which need work to correct, but we will absolutely be paying all accounts due. If you have not reached out about your issue, please email one of the above addresses, and you WILL get a reply from me personally. You do matter, and we are taking this very seriously," wrote Lisa Morrison, head of Developer Relations, Bad Juju.

Then, according to a report on gamesindustry.biz, the same Lisa Morrison said that Bad Juju had filed for bankruptcy and the company was in deep trouble. It seems unlikely for Desura to survive.

Desura was bought by Bad Juju back in 2013 from Linden Lab, the developers of Second Life.