Now with more and more Mac's being sold, do you think eventually more and more Mac games will be released, hopefully with less and less using Crossover? I really hope that happens in the next few years, because I don't want to boot into Windows to play games, only occasionally.
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Will Mac gaming ever become bigger?
- Thread starter Sambo110
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Yeah, I think we will see more games being port to the Mac OSX platform.
I'd seen so many big names being bought to the MacOS platfrom recently.
With the help of TransGraming's Cider, porting a windows PC game to MacOSX is much easier now, and it takes less time and effort to get it done. last time I checked the Sim3 on Mac, right-click and shows contents, I found the game was put inside a folder named "Program Files", just like windows, that's interesting.
I'd seen so many big names being bought to the MacOS platfrom recently.
With the help of TransGraming's Cider, porting a windows PC game to MacOSX is much easier now, and it takes less time and effort to get it done. last time I checked the Sim3 on Mac, right-click and shows contents, I found the game was put inside a folder named "Program Files", just like windows, that's interesting.
Yeah, Cider is good but I hope it doesn't become the norm. I was hoping so much that Blizzard didn't take the way out and use it for Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3. I hope that Cider makes people realise that more and more Mac games are coming out, decide to get a Mac, developers decide it would be better to make proper Mac games and then heaps get released. I can dream 
.
.
The big hits will still continue to be ported (many under Cider) but I don't see a huge increase. You get better performance under Windows and as many gamers use bootcamp a lot of publishers don't see the need for a Mac port, Mac users can still use the Windows version. Adding to this is the problem that no matter what Apple say, they don't really take gaming seriously. The GPUs' in most of their machines shows this.
It's possible. I don't know what the tipping point in Mac sales will be. I get the feeling most companies spend the time and dollar on their PC/Console first, and then cut corners along with the inevitable compromises in features, performance, and multiplayer to get the other OSs covered. There are probably some exceptions to the rule (if it is a rule).
However at this point in time, Bootcamp/Windows was the answer to many Mac gamers' prayers. Because instead of hoping for a change in years to come, you can buy 1 computer (I'm talking Mac) plus a console and play 99% of the games important to you today and primarily stay on the OS you love (again a Mac!).
The wishing answer would be yes, but the truth is a big NO!
Why:
1- Apple put slow, un upgradable GPU in most machine
2- Apple API is not the fastest for gaming
3- OpenGL is not Direct X for developers
4- Gaming console are taking over
5- Windows game can be play on a Mac
6- Too small market for the required effort
7- User don't buy Mac game cause they are outdated or too expensive, and developers don't make game since they don't make money out of it, chicken and egg concept.
So don't wait for games on Mac, the only thing that will and/or can show up is big title only.
Why:
1- Apple put slow, un upgradable GPU in most machine
2- Apple API is not the fastest for gaming
3- OpenGL is not Direct X for developers
4- Gaming console are taking over
5- Windows game can be play on a Mac
6- Too small market for the required effort
7- User don't buy Mac game cause they are outdated or too expensive, and developers don't make game since they don't make money out of it, chicken and egg concept.
So don't wait for games on Mac, the only thing that will and/or can show up is big title only.
Yes.
Even if only half of the triple A windows games come out for the Mac every year, that will be a huge advancement.
Cider makes this easier and it is constantly being tweaked for performance.
Even if only half of the triple A windows games come out for the Mac every year, that will be a huge advancement.
Cider makes this easier and it is constantly being tweaked for performance.
It can't get worse.
It doesn't look like we'll see pcgames being released which require next year's video card in order to run. Those days are over for the time being. And that can't hurt Mac gaming.
I don't think the iPhone and Touch and the app store can hurt Mac gaming either. Only help it.
I'm not holding my breath, but ...
It doesn't look like we'll see pcgames being released which require next year's video card in order to run. Those days are over for the time being. And that can't hurt Mac gaming.
I don't think the iPhone and Touch and the app store can hurt Mac gaming either. Only help it.
I'm not holding my breath, but ...
No.
For example, I bought a Mac as my first computer. I now have a gaming PC and play all my games on it.
The entire motivation new games is new hardware. Better hardware drives games. That better hardware is affordable for PC's, which can also readily and cheaply be upgraded. Not so with Macs. For example, a PC I just build for $1000 has similar specs as a $3000 Mac Pro.
As such, Macs get all the old games that someone finally bothered to port.
Mac gaming is doomed to fail until something changes with the hardware.
For example, I bought a Mac as my first computer. I now have a gaming PC and play all my games on it.
The entire motivation new games is new hardware. Better hardware drives games. That better hardware is affordable for PC's, which can also readily and cheaply be upgraded. Not so with Macs. For example, a PC I just build for $1000 has similar specs as a $3000 Mac Pro.
As such, Macs get all the old games that someone finally bothered to port.
Mac gaming is doomed to fail until something changes with the hardware.
iPhone and iPod touch uses the same technology as in Mac OS X.
As more developers realize how fast they can make good apps on OS X, there will be more games.
As more developers realize how fast they can make good apps on OS X, there will be more games.
Today's Gamer's Mac Centric Hardware Choices:
1. Mac/Bootcamp+ Windows install + Console- if not budget constrained = best choice. (approx $1900-2900 invest; price reflects MacBookPro vs MacPro and WinXP purchase. MacBook not included.)
2. Mac/Bootcamp+Windows install= Mac/PC in one = second best choice. Consider what a MacBook and stand alone gaming PC would cost if #both purchased, might as well get a Mac Pro or MacBook Pro. (approx $1600-2600 invest. MacBookPro vs Mac Pro and WinXP purchase; Macbook not included.)
3. MacBook/Bootcamp+ Windows install- play more games than just Mac Native, but limitations on high powered games. This computer plays a lot of games, but best examined on a case-by-case individual needs basis. (approx $1200, includes WinXP purchase). If not for gaming, the MacBook is the best computer purchase for all of your computing/internet/movie watching needs. Bad choice for hard core gamers.
4. iPod/iPhone- Is this really a choice?
#MacBook + Medicum grade gaming PC= approx $2600.
Other Considerations:
*Console- Best choice $$ and strictly gaming, no OS period, none of the standard OS/online abilities (approx $350 invest).
*Mac Native- (Playing only Mac native games) If you really like casual gaming (I Spy, Cosmic Encounter, etc) or don't mind a limited number of delayed compromised AAA ports. You'll only miss out on most of the biggest titles- Half Life2, Crysis, Witcher, Oblivion, Bioshock, Fallout 3, etc, etc. You've all ready spent the money on a Mac, $70 more (WinXP) and you just quadrupled your options, if not more.
*PC- No MacOS= not a good option. Windows as primary OS sucks. (approx $1600 invest)
*PC + Console- No Mac OS= not a good option. Windows as primary OS sucks. (approx $1900 invest)
*Mac + PC- No need for this because No.2 accomplishes the same thing unless you want another computer on your desk.
*Mac + PC + Console- No need for this because No.1 accomplishes the same thing.
Note: This post has been added to the MacRumors Windows Gaming on a Mac Guide.
1. Mac/Bootcamp+ Windows install + Console- if not budget constrained = best choice. (approx $1900-2900 invest; price reflects MacBookPro vs MacPro and WinXP purchase. MacBook not included.)
2. Mac/Bootcamp+Windows install= Mac/PC in one = second best choice. Consider what a MacBook and stand alone gaming PC would cost if #both purchased, might as well get a Mac Pro or MacBook Pro. (approx $1600-2600 invest. MacBookPro vs Mac Pro and WinXP purchase; Macbook not included.)
3. MacBook/Bootcamp+ Windows install- play more games than just Mac Native, but limitations on high powered games. This computer plays a lot of games, but best examined on a case-by-case individual needs basis. (approx $1200, includes WinXP purchase). If not for gaming, the MacBook is the best computer purchase for all of your computing/internet/movie watching needs. Bad choice for hard core gamers.
4. iPod/iPhone- Is this really a choice?
#MacBook + Medicum grade gaming PC= approx $2600.
Other Considerations:
*Console- Best choice $$ and strictly gaming, no OS period, none of the standard OS/online abilities (approx $350 invest).
*Mac Native- (Playing only Mac native games) If you really like casual gaming (I Spy, Cosmic Encounter, etc) or don't mind a limited number of delayed compromised AAA ports. You'll only miss out on most of the biggest titles- Half Life2, Crysis, Witcher, Oblivion, Bioshock, Fallout 3, etc, etc. You've all ready spent the money on a Mac, $70 more (WinXP) and you just quadrupled your options, if not more.
*PC- No MacOS= not a good option. Windows as primary OS sucks. (approx $1600 invest)
*PC + Console- No Mac OS= not a good option. Windows as primary OS sucks. (approx $1900 invest)
*Mac + PC- No need for this because No.2 accomplishes the same thing unless you want another computer on your desk.
*Mac + PC + Console- No need for this because No.1 accomplishes the same thing.
Note: This post has been added to the MacRumors Windows Gaming on a Mac Guide.
Probably it will. At some point the GPUs in macs will be more than enough for most people, and mac games will catch up to PC games.
There will always be a hardcore gaming/overclocking/SLI/FPS fans, and PCs are probably always going to be the choice for them.
There will always be a hardcore gaming/overclocking/SLI/FPS fans, and PCs are probably always going to be the choice for them.
Depends on what bigger relatively means
If you mean the amount of games available on a stand alone Macintosh, no.
If you mean the amount of players using Macintosh, that's a definite yes for the conservative and sustainable gamer, and not the risk-taking opportunists out there.
It's playing the numbers to get a Macintosh, and winning for keeping yourself safe. The quantity of potential gamers may be ten times less than from a PC community, but the quality of gamers should account for that, conceivably.
Malware and manipulation are becoming too much of a growing concern as well as real threats to gaming. Keeping any kind of legitimate structure and service, to be kept stable enough for any reasonable pursuit in playing, should be the prime directive. It's almost impossible for 100% of the time: but not even nearly as difficult on Mac OS X systems.
The amount of .exe files that have been hacked or exploited, is abominable.
Take simple add-on tools for example:
Any add-on can be hacked into, for any game.
On the Macintosh, if you use Mono Frameworks and X11 or the Terminal command line windows, you will be able to use such tools.
From experience, there's been encounters of multiple successful attempts to infiltrate the system, via these tools. Within the game itself, granted: but it's still a high enough threat level, to consider keeping programs exclusively localized that work on Macintosh, and nothing else.
Using Boot Camp, Crossover, Virtual PC and Parallels has a risk.
You can buy all the speed and usability you like, for as cheaply as you like, but if you don't have the security to protect all of that investment, you could end up with a useless computer and a useful anchor to moor a boat.
You really have to keep ahead of the times and be aware of everything that can come at you, if you want to possess something from the majority market share, that is the target demographic for all the problems people have for vulnerabilities within the system.
That kind of expectation is unreasonable for the potential ability you can acquire, from the majority of the users. Which is a deep seeded irony, for the entire PC market.
If you mean the amount of games available on a stand alone Macintosh, no.
If you mean the amount of players using Macintosh, that's a definite yes for the conservative and sustainable gamer, and not the risk-taking opportunists out there.
It's playing the numbers to get a Macintosh, and winning for keeping yourself safe. The quantity of potential gamers may be ten times less than from a PC community, but the quality of gamers should account for that, conceivably.
Malware and manipulation are becoming too much of a growing concern as well as real threats to gaming. Keeping any kind of legitimate structure and service, to be kept stable enough for any reasonable pursuit in playing, should be the prime directive. It's almost impossible for 100% of the time: but not even nearly as difficult on Mac OS X systems.
The amount of .exe files that have been hacked or exploited, is abominable.
Take simple add-on tools for example:
Any add-on can be hacked into, for any game.
On the Macintosh, if you use Mono Frameworks and X11 or the Terminal command line windows, you will be able to use such tools.
From experience, there's been encounters of multiple successful attempts to infiltrate the system, via these tools. Within the game itself, granted: but it's still a high enough threat level, to consider keeping programs exclusively localized that work on Macintosh, and nothing else.
Using Boot Camp, Crossover, Virtual PC and Parallels has a risk.
You can buy all the speed and usability you like, for as cheaply as you like, but if you don't have the security to protect all of that investment, you could end up with a useless computer and a useful anchor to moor a boat.
You really have to keep ahead of the times and be aware of everything that can come at you, if you want to possess something from the majority market share, that is the target demographic for all the problems people have for vulnerabilities within the system.
That kind of expectation is unreasonable for the potential ability you can acquire, from the majority of the users. Which is a deep seeded irony, for the entire PC market.
Surely you mean if you pirate games? I've been running Boot Camp since release on Vista and it's great. No issue at all.
Mostly free software with no acceptable levels of security, yes
However, any 3rd party applications can be made to exploit in a malicious manner: all that's required, is the understanding and the appliance to the task.
However, any 3rd party applications can be made to exploit in a malicious manner: all that's required, is the understanding and the appliance to the task.
I doubt it. All Macs are capable of running Windows now, and the big winner here is Microsoft, because most Intel Mac users also purchased a Windows license for their Macs. Sure, Apple also won several new customers because of their Windows compatibility, but I think for many of the new users a Mac is just a beautiful piece of hardware to run Windows on.
Anyway. There simply is no real incentive to port games to a Mac. The user base is small and traditionally not very interested in (high end/blockbuster) games. Casual games sell okay on the Mac, but I think that for the big publishers it makes more sense - and costs less - to port Windows games to the Xbox 360.
If you follow the discussions and trends in the game development community, it seems obvious that consoles are the future of gaming - not the PC, and certainly not the Mac.
I completely agree with Winni..... unfortunately. It's a shame, but is very likely that we will never see big blockbuster games released for the Mac with just as much hype as they get when being released for windows. It's not cost effective for the manufacturers to spend time and money porting these games to the Mac platform.... which sucks! Especially as a company like Bungee started out purely on the Mac
Like.... an iTunes Mac App Store?
The iPhone App Store has massively increased the number of developers out there with Cocoa programming skills. Apple should be trying to leverage that by making Mac game publishing just as easy and inexpensive.
"Why develop just for the iPhone, when for a small extra investment in time you can develop for the Mac as well?"
It's been mentioned before but games developers gravitate around Direct X and the last I heard the cost of a Havok physics license, the physics software used by many developers, was so expensive (as in six figures) that it made Mac versions/ports of many AAA games financially unviable.
If that's true, then Havok are just pricing themselves out of the market. That's a bit silly of them.
Assuming the cost of developing a Mac Havok engine isn't significant (and it shouldn't be, a physics engine should be a platform-agnostic library which merely requires recompiling for each platform), they might as well drop the price for the Mac and eke out any revenue they can.
I guess Havok was trying to maximize their profits although I agree with what you are saying. Several years ago, the unverified word was that when someone like Aspyr wanted to port a game, a game where the original developer had all ready purchased a Havok license, the license only applied to the PC game. Aspyr would have had to purchase a separate license for the Mac version of the game. Their profits were so thin on Mac games, that the license if needed would kill the project. I imagine it could be different now and maybe Havok has some competition.