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Despite being often seen as an additional burden, developing games for multiple platforms, including Linux, has many advantages.

Portable Code is Better Code

Different operating systems may react differently to the same code. A bug or non-standard use of C/C++ can produce errors that may be swallowed in one moment but emerge somewhere else. In some instances, a bug that rarely appears on one platform can be easily reproducible on another platform. Compiling and running your game on multiple compilers and OSes can strengthen a codebase, and make it more robust.

Not only can multiplatform support make your code more stable, but it can also improve performance, as Valve discovered themselves when they ported their first game to Linux, Left 4 Dead 2. During the process of porting their game and engine, what they learnt revealed issues with their Windows version of their engine as well.

Multiplatform development is generally only difficult if your code is tied very tightly to a specific platform. By ironing out the bugs of multiplatform support and developing a robust multiplatform workflow, you eliminate bugs and inefficiencies in supporting multiple platforms and create truly portable code. With portable code, it becomes easy to support additional platforms in the future, such as new game consoles or cloud streaming services (such as Google Stadia, a Linux based platform).

Increased Sales

It goes without saying. When the cross-platform work is managed efficiently, multiplatform support simply means more sales for your game. Different games appeal to the Linux gaming market to varying degrees, for some games Linux support could be a large boost to your sales figures for minimal extra work.

Pro-Consumer Positive Image

Linux support is seen favourably as a positive thing by consumers, like a game promoting DRM-free as a feature. Linux support on Steam is also a great ‘value-added’ benefit to your game even for your Windows customers, as the Linux version of your game is included in their purchase.