Does anybody still play games (regularly) on the mac?

[Chone]

The thing is, OSX is technically a better gaming OS than Windows - it has many advanced built-in and tightly integrated features and uses OpenGL for ALL of the graphics.

But the problem is, Win is much more widespread, so game developers release/optimize their games only for Win, leaving OSX with all its advancness unnoticed.

That is debatable. DirectX is in some aspects a better API than OpenGL and OpenGL tight integration in the OS causes stability but it does cause some overhead (I remember reading this from a Mac developer, wish I had a link), hence why even equally optimized games (like Blizzard's) still perform worse on Mac OS X.

Even so, the whole point is that Windows is the better gaming platform, potential means nothing because we all know Apple apparently hates games.

 

[j2thav]

I game on my stock 2 Ghz Macbook quite often and it works pretty well. Call of Duty 2, Medal of Honor and Warcraft III all work just fine with only 512 mb of ram and the intel chipset. Plus, I've just ordered 2 gigs of ram, so I should be getting even better FPS soon. Those who say you can't game on a Macbook are totally wrong. Perhaps if what you care about is maxing out the graphics, then yes, you will want to go with something a bit more powerful. Plus, it will probably not be able to handle newer games that well (although I am quite impressed with COD2's performance on the MB).

The only drawback to games on Macs is the unwillingness on the part of game developers to create Mac versions of games, leaving it up to companies Aspyr to port games over. Even some of the most popular PC games never make it to Mac (Counter Strike, for example). For this reason, I have been considering building my own gaming PC. Not only that, but I have to admit the performance would be much better. Until that happens, though, my MB will work just fine.

 

[*HOA*Maxmus]

Play Macrumors Halo with us. I need to make sure I get the time zone right

 

[MarsUltor]

Consoles suck, the controller wasn't meant for adult hands

Seriously? I have huge hands, and am a big advocate for console games... the controller is by no means not meant for adult hands (sorry for the double negative)... in fact most of the controllers out are designed to fit the average adullt (most likely male) hand... granted, my hands are larger than that, but it is still fairly comfortable... i guess, it is all opinion when comfort is concerned, but by no means are console controllers not meant for adult hands, because that is further from the truth... case in point, the majority of consoles (and games) are advertised to adult (and post pubescent) people (primarily males)... that leads to the question, why would they design a controller to not fit the majority of console users?

back on topic, i barely use my mac for gaming anymore, unless i want to play something like C&C, or something like that... the rest of my gaming is on consoles... currently playing on a Wii, and PS3

 

[amd4me]

Just wrapped up AOE3 man that was a blast.

 

[Bigewilson]

What does the Apple Online Store suggest?

I went to the Apple store online and was suprised to note that half of what came up under a game search were Ipod accessories. I am tired of hearing that this or that Mac isn't good enough for serious gamers when they only sell 14 games! I recommend Savage from some UK company if you haven't tried it I really enjoyed the Demo. Looks like they have a sequel too!!!

 

[Shotgun Pete]

I play Tremulous, its open source FPS thats fun.

P.s. why is this just a forum thread and not a poll.

 

[dr34mr]

I've Got my Bullet Proff Vest on, and Installed Bullet proof Glass...

I use my Mac (MacPro 2.66, 8Gb Ram, x1900xt, OSX 10.4.9) for work and a PC (P4 3.4Ghz, 4 Gb Ram, gForce 7600GT 512mb, Windows Vista Ultimate x64) for entertainment. This works great for me, I have never played a game on my Mac.

I work in Graphic Design and multimedia, I use Adobe CS3 DP and FCS2 on my mac, and get into work, if i need a break or I'm waiting for something to render/process/etc i can turn to my PC and game away. I also use my PC for cross-platform testing. Occasionally I'll use the PC for design work too.

Its quite funny, people like to ask if I'm a Mac person or a PC person... So i tell them i'm both!

 

[x86isslow]

I've started playing WC3 online again. sn: Gulmargha

 

[mahashel]

I haven't played a game on any of my Macs in years.

It troubles me that Apple has no real hardware offering for the higher-end gaming market. Yes, the Mac Pro is very fast, but it seems to me like using a Mac Pro for gaming is a bit like swatting a fly with a Peterbilt.
It's a "chicken vs egg" problem.
- Apple doesn't release a gaming system since there is a dearth of Mac games. *Not worth the investment.*
- Very few people buy Macs for gaming since "everyone" knows they're not high-end gaming machines.
- Game developers decide not to code for Macs since nobody uses Apple systems for gaming. *Not worth the investment.*
And the vicious cycle continues...