Some Linux users have had trouble launching NEO Scavenger through the Desura client. It turns out that this was a mistake in the launcher settings for the app, which pointed to the wrong location for launching the file.
A fix has been applied to the launcher, and it should work after the game is reinstalled. If you were having this issue, please try reinstalling the game through Desura to see if it helps. And let me know if it doesn't!
Thank you for alerting me to the issue, and for your patience!
I think it is possible same thing happening to demo. I just installed it (after this post was made), and it would not launch (small gray window briefly (fraction of a second) shows up then nothing). I had the same thing with Xenonauts before I installed WinE.
Hm, this sounds like it might be a different issue. Linux was showing an error message stating the "exe" could not be found, and I don't think any window flashed up/disappeared.
Perhaps the bug you're seeing is a bug with the game itself? Are you able to download the stand alone demo and run it manually?
I downloaded that one too, and could not get it to run. Clicking on would not do anything at all (Ubuntu 12.10). It is a lone executable without read-me explaining installation, requirements or dependencies. I was able to run Windows version via WinE. It then ran it as Flash 10 app, is that correct? Does it need Flash, Adobe Air or anything else to run?
It is a Flash projector, which is self-contained. It doesn't require any external software to run (e.g. AIR, Flash), all of that is built-into the file. It shouldn't require any installation, either. Just double-click to run.
The Linux distro I use to build/test it here is Lubuntu, which is based on 12.04.1 LTS.
Did you ever get Xenonauts to work natively on Linux?
Xenonauts work exclusively through WinE, because the engine they use does not have Linux implementation.
One thing you can try is a different game that also uses the Flash projector format. That might reveal whether it's something specific to NEO Scavenger, or if it's a Flash issue.
Machinarium has a Linux demo on Desura, which you can download as a standalone file. Do you get a similar behavior when launching that game?
Also, are you able to see Flash content on your machine? It's a long shot, but maybe there's a lib that Flash uses which isn't installed? E.g. an image compression lib for png, etc.