http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=27125
--- Comment #19 from amgeddis@msn.com 2011-05-11 14:52:18 CDT --- One path to explore is patch 1.2 might have changed the patcher dramatically to accommodate the new "RiftConnect" feature that is now built into the patcher/launcher. RiftConnect allows you to log in to social networking mediums such as facebook or twitter which then allows Rift to post your new actions in game on the social networking site. For them to integrate this feature into the launcher and game would any significant changes need to have been made that aren't supported by wine yet? Hope this information helps someone figure out the problem.
RiftConnect is a feature Trion has been touting around for quite a while, if they need to make a change to the patcher that compromises RiftConnect for wine users to be able to log in my guess is they would be very unwilling. I think they know what the problem is even if it's not RiftConnect like I guessed but the changes required to allow wine users to connect would compromise a feature they find more important than allowing wine users to connect.