Last time we looked at Desura, they had launched a Linux version of their client and opened their store to Linux games in addition to Windows. They were also looking to open source their client software so it could attract developers from outside their own company, which has just one developer involved in making a Linux port.
Well now they have open sourced their client under the GPL3 licence, and put it up on GitHub so other people can contribute code to it. The approach they have taken is similar to what Google has done with Chrome. Google has an official version of the browser branded as Google Chrome, while the name of the open source project is Chromium. Anyone can create a Chromium build and include modifications to it, however only Google can release Chrome. Similarly, Desura will be the official client, while the Desurium project is the open source version of the client that anyone can modify and use. The modification that the developers at Desura approve of can be incorporated into the official build.
For those not aware of what Desura is exactly, it is a neat alternative to Steam for those who want a digital game store that sells Linux games. One can purchase games from Desura’s online store through a web browser or the client, and then the games can be downloaded and installed via the client.
By open sourcing the client, Desura also makes it possible for many Linux distributions to bundle it by default, thus increasing the reach of Desura, and making it possible for anyone on any Linux distro to be aware of the increasing number of Linux games.
Currently Desura has a number of advantages of competing Linux game stores. Unlike Ububtu Software Centre, and Gameolith it is not limited to a few distributions, but will work on nearly any Linux distro, and unlike Gameolith it supports updating installed games. The presence of a client, although not to everyone’s liking, makes this possible.
You can visit the Desura store at www.desura.com and buy and download games from there. They also offer a selection of free games for Linux and Windows.