Had to.


More seriously, I really don't see any reason for Square Enix, from a pure business point of view, to even consider a Linux release for now. If anything make a Mac version first, then consider Linux. The project lost enough money already, why invest DEV time and support time into something that will not generate enough income?

People here tends to forget that it's not about only releasing a Linux version of the game, but it's about everything that's around it meaning:
  • Assuring and maintaining the distribution of the client over the years. (hell even the current XIV client cannot be obtained online in Europe (only NA SE website...)).
  • Providing support to all Linux customers which also mean :
    • Having support employees being able to deal with Linux related issues.
    • Having the necessary knowledge base articles / FAQ for all Linux related issues. And that in four languages as usual.
    • Keep on updating FAQ for both Windows and Linux version over time.
  • More hassle for update deployment. Windows, PS3 and Linux. Files won't be exactly the same (just like XI had different patches for PS2/X360 and PC).
  • For every new patches, longer QA'ing phases. Some bugs that may happen only on Windows may not affect Linux version and the other way around.
That's a lot of work and extra costs. I know that some people will say "whoever uses the Linux version is probably tech savvy enough not to contact SE if he has an issue", yet support must be offered to all customers and all platform/OSes, SE have to.