Well the main issue here is how crappy Java Webstart is, why not just treat linux users like you do on mac and windows, as mentioned above by delt0r, that is provide a downloadable bundle. Pretty easy to just create an executable batch file (and if needed include your own jre), it worked out pretty well for Tribal Trouble.
You could also just use something like the openSUSE build service which will automatically create packages for all the major distributions.
What’s wrong with unpack and play is that the newer breed of Linux users, including myself, just want stuff that works like it does on other operating systems, not stuff that requires brain power. Ubuntu is slowly coming around to this idea. Mac is even walling itself off to anything remotely resembling an ordinary PC with its app store. The world wants simple! And so do I for that matter. So unpack ain’t going to work - I need to install using some sort of crazy Linux installation thing.
Cas 
Installers that ask for passwords and ask about 10 other questions are not simpler than unpack and run. In fact they are more complicated. All mac/windows users I have ever encountered know how to double click a zip file, unpack and run. But these same people have asked for my help with install shield crap.
All current Linux package managers need root and install globally. This is not what a game should ever do IMO (i don’t have root for my work machines for example, but can install quake/ET). Of course a simple script that asks what directory to put it into and then kde/gname link would be easy enough.
However its your game. As a hard core linux fan who no longer even boots to windows, I understand why its going to be a long time before games come to linux properly. And even then, I probably won’t be running that distro.
Definitely, it shouldn’t need root, but surely there’s some sort of instally thing for Linux that can be used to just install things for the current user? I mean, all it has to do is put an icon and shortcut in some menus here and there and unzip some stuff to a directory in the user’s home directory somewhere. Reliably on several Linux flavours running Gnome Desktop.
Cas
(BTW, being a linux and Java expert - you have probably figured out all you need to do to make your own is to download the resources referenced in the jnlp file, unzip the ones in the native section, and make a shellscript that calls java -cp etc)
Cas
[quote=“princec,post:302,topic:35067”]
While you are right in your argumentation, I really hate to be forced to use an installer (Windows JDK installation anyone!!!) when I am perfectly capable to download and unpack stuff myself. So a multiplatform ZIP distribution with a windows batch and *nix shell skript is IMHO mandatory - just make it an “on your own risk” option and make clear that you can’t offer any support for it.
As for installers - I have no own experience, but on freshmeat there are multiple options. Unfortunately the most promising ones are commercial. Nearly affortable is JExpress (http://denova.com/). For free alternatives, take a look at http://izpack.org/ and http://www.installjammer.com/.
Just (finally) tried it, and actually pre-ordered
It works just great here on Ubuntu, running Compiz with wobbly windows and everything (on an ATI card no less).
My very first impressions:
Erik
I just brought the $5 pack aswell 
I actually thought I was going to get Revenge og the Titans but oh well 
I still got a lot of awesome games
The game does wait… until you place your first refinery, or you run out of money to build a refinery. A tip appears explaining this Should give you time to scope the environment and make some defences before you begin digging.
The Ultrabundle is changing at the weekend… possibly becoming slightly more expensive
Cas
Yes! Money safed! Whoohoo!
The Ultrabundle is now $6.97! Don’t say I didn’t warn anyone!
But by means of solace Revenge of the Titans 1.61 is out, and it’s got Survival Mode in it! Give it a whirl.
Cas
Revenge of the Titans is finally finished! Took about 3 years. Sigh.
Also I now finally have a twitter account - princec1234. No idea how to use it or what to do with it yet.
Cas
congrats !
I’ve never understood twitter :-\
Quite a milestone, defining something as “finished”. Congratulations!
Now, if I only could make half as decent game :
Congrats, another super polished puppygames game. Just love the talking characters.
Guess its finally worthy to go into the ‘Featured Games Section’ ;D
Kindly update your first post to include a screenshot or two and a brief description.
FEATURED.
I am now following you and tweeted something at you. We should make a new Guild of People With Twitter Who Practically Never Use It!
I see that Revenge of the Titans is part of the new Humble Indie Bundle. Nice work! Hopefully this’ll get you some more (deserved) exposure.
Oh brilliant, think its the best out of the lot as the other humble indie games (Braid, Cortex Command, Machinarium and Osmos) have already mostly peaked.
Too bad the puppygames site is down (really bad time to go down).
edit: its back up now.
Congrats! The best game so far, super polished. A joy to play.
I think it is not a coincidence that Markus Persson did a tweet a few minutes before most of the game sites from the Humble Indie Bundle went down ;D. I guess that is the thing to do with twitter… I am sure that HIB has gotten attention from many places though.
Isn’t it a bit of a gamble to sell a brand new game at “pay what you want”? You game seem like the most valuable of the bunch. Do you all get the same cut if I may ask?