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Hey everyone!
So, you want to learn how to develop your MV projects on Linux but not sure how to go about it or even install it? It's actually really easy! I know there are instructions, but they didn't really make any sense to me and I'm currently using an Ubuntu-based distribution called elementary OS. Anyway, since there isn't a native Linux client outside of Steam, that's your best bet, however I will also teach you some tips and tricks while using it and how to get your game out to even the Linux gaming audience, which is growing as time goes by!
Installation
The one thing you need above all else is Steam of Linux. For most distros that have an app store, center or some such application for installing software to your machine, Steam is already on there. Lucky you! If not, you can always grab a copy of Steam for your distro by doing a search for Steam on whatever you're running. For the rest of this guide, however, I'm going to assume you're using Debian or a variant (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, elementary OS, etc.) After Steam is installed and you're signed in, simply go to your Library under SteamOS + Linux and it should be there under Software. Install it and you're ready to go!
Export Games
You already know how to use it, so I'm not going to cover that. If you don't, there are plenty of guides and you can always use the Help File under Help -> Contents. When you export the game, it's the same as on Windows. Simply export the game and set a destination folder. Once it's done, you can simply zip/rar it and distribute it as is, but with one small catch. In order to make the game executable, the player will have to execute a command in the command-line, but it's simple and can be copy & pasted into the Terminal Emulator they use. Have them use this command inside the game folder:
sudo chmod -x Game
Game can be replaced by whatever you named the game client if you did. If not, it can simply stay as game. After that, all they have to do is run ./Game in the command-line in the game folder and they're set. But wait, what if they don't want to do that each time or you love your players and don't want them to have to do that? It's simple! Make a .desktop file and pack it with the game. I've included a sample .desktop file for you to edit however you need and it's fully commented.
http://darkxlabs.com/sample.desktop
Simple instructions are to make sure the desktop file is in $HOME/.local/share/applications for it to appear on the menu. Another way is to either create a distribution package file (ex. .deb, .rpm) or make it into an AppImage installer. The player will also have to chmod this file, although once it's done, they don't even have to chmod the game. After that, run the game and you're golden!
Multiple Instances
Now this one was tricky for me to figure out until I saw what I needed to do. If you want to open a second client, you can't normally do that with the Steam version. There is a way around it, though. Simply go to:
$HOME/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/RPG Maker MV
When you go down near the bottom of the directory, there is RPG Maker MV. It says it's executable, but it won't run. What? B-but, why? Don't worry. You should also see a file named RPG Maker MV.sh. Run this instead. Done. Now all you have to do is wait for the new instance of MV to open and you're golden! Easy right?
Conclusion
Well, this is all I have for now, but I hope I helped you Linux gamers and developers a bit with this information. Good luck on your projects and happy RPG Making!
So, you want to learn how to develop your MV projects on Linux but not sure how to go about it or even install it? It's actually really easy! I know there are instructions, but they didn't really make any sense to me and I'm currently using an Ubuntu-based distribution called elementary OS. Anyway, since there isn't a native Linux client outside of Steam, that's your best bet, however I will also teach you some tips and tricks while using it and how to get your game out to even the Linux gaming audience, which is growing as time goes by!
Installation
The one thing you need above all else is Steam of Linux. For most distros that have an app store, center or some such application for installing software to your machine, Steam is already on there. Lucky you! If not, you can always grab a copy of Steam for your distro by doing a search for Steam on whatever you're running. For the rest of this guide, however, I'm going to assume you're using Debian or a variant (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, elementary OS, etc.) After Steam is installed and you're signed in, simply go to your Library under SteamOS + Linux and it should be there under Software. Install it and you're ready to go!
Export Games
You already know how to use it, so I'm not going to cover that. If you don't, there are plenty of guides and you can always use the Help File under Help -> Contents. When you export the game, it's the same as on Windows. Simply export the game and set a destination folder. Once it's done, you can simply zip/rar it and distribute it as is, but with one small catch. In order to make the game executable, the player will have to execute a command in the command-line, but it's simple and can be copy & pasted into the Terminal Emulator they use. Have them use this command inside the game folder:
sudo chmod -x Game
Game can be replaced by whatever you named the game client if you did. If not, it can simply stay as game. After that, all they have to do is run ./Game in the command-line in the game folder and they're set. But wait, what if they don't want to do that each time or you love your players and don't want them to have to do that? It's simple! Make a .desktop file and pack it with the game. I've included a sample .desktop file for you to edit however you need and it's fully commented.
http://darkxlabs.com/sample.desktop
Simple instructions are to make sure the desktop file is in $HOME/.local/share/applications for it to appear on the menu. Another way is to either create a distribution package file (ex. .deb, .rpm) or make it into an AppImage installer. The player will also have to chmod this file, although once it's done, they don't even have to chmod the game. After that, run the game and you're golden!
Multiple Instances
Now this one was tricky for me to figure out until I saw what I needed to do. If you want to open a second client, you can't normally do that with the Steam version. There is a way around it, though. Simply go to:
$HOME/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/RPG Maker MV
When you go down near the bottom of the directory, there is RPG Maker MV. It says it's executable, but it won't run. What? B-but, why? Don't worry. You should also see a file named RPG Maker MV.sh. Run this instead. Done. Now all you have to do is wait for the new instance of MV to open and you're golden! Easy right?
Conclusion
Well, this is all I have for now, but I hope I helped you Linux gamers and developers a bit with this information. Good luck on your projects and happy RPG Making!
