Porting games to the Mac is a tricky business

Section: Software + Apps, GamesRemember back when Apple made the switch to Intel and it suddenly seemed as if all those PC games would be more easily ported to the Mac? So do I, and I’m still wondering where everything is. We saw some big name titles from EA, but after their initial release of four A-list titles (Madden, Need for Speed, etc.), nothing. Companies such as Aspyr and Feral continue to release popular games such as Call of Duty 4 and Tomb Raider Anniversary, but certainly no more so than when Macs were happily chugging away on PowerPC chips. So, what’s been going on? Alex McLarty at The Mac Gamer finds some answers from one of the best sources in Mac gaming: Glenda Adams, Director of Development for Aspyr Media: TMG: We’ve had Intel in our Macs for a few years now. Has how the switch changed game development for the Mac? Glenda: It’s lessened some of the work we have to do, but unfortunately the graphics side of games has just exploded. The amount of shader code and complex rendering is probably 2-3 times as much work as it was for games a couple years ago, so that has more than offset the efficiency gains we had from the Intel switch. TMG: Why hasn’t there been a flood of games for the Mac that some predicted? Glenda: I think there are several reasons - Mac game sales are still fairly constant, and haven’t expanded with Apple’s market share increases over the last two years.  So there isn’t loads of money to be made. And the complexity of games has made it more difficult to port them to the Mac. Lastly, the PC market has been really beat up in 2007 and 2008, and there just aren’t as many AAA PC games out there that make sense to bring to the Mac. And if you think that sounds depressing, hold on; it gets worse. TMG: How do you see gaming progressing in the next few years? Glenda: The shift to console is undeniable. There are just so many benefits to working on a stable and well defined hardware platform. This is a shift that has been taking place for some time now. More and more computer games are being released simultaneously with the console counterparts. The result of this is that computer games are being “dumbed down” to the console system(s) for which they’re developed. The days of taking full advantage of the WASD + mouse control system, which for many games is far superior to that of a traditional console gamepad (especially first-person shooters), are disappearing, leaving us with games that feel clunky on computer systems. Plus, with the advent of the Wii Remote + Wii Nunchuck system of the Nintendo Wii, there’s actually a control system out there that’s better than the keyboard/mouse combo of the computer. But the news gets still worse for Mac gamers: TMG: Thoughts on the iPhone? Will you be developing anything for it? Glenda: We’re actively working on several games for the iPhone, and it is a very exciting platform. We can’t wait to get our first apps out and in the store. This is something of which I’ve been hearing a lot from developers: “Exciting.” I take that to mean lucrative, as it’s apparently quite easy to develop for the iPhone, publishers don’t have to worry about packaging and retail space, distribution is easier, and there is (or will be) a much wider audience for iPhone games. I imagine that many Mac developers will soon shift their focus towards the iPhone, leaving us with even fewer options for games that don’t concern girls serving cake to impatient patrons. You can follow the link below for more of The Mac Gamer’s interview with Glenda Adams. Or, like me, you can just go hide yourself in a prolonged gaming session with Neverwinter Nights 2. Try bringing that to the iPhone, Glenda! Read [The Mac Gamer] Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Analysis: Will iPhone games lead to more on the Mac?

With both the iPhone and the Mac platforms united by OS X, could developers who build games for the mobile device be tempted into boosting their Mac efforts?

Road to Mac OS X Snow Leopard: the future of 64-bit apps

Snow Leopard's across-the-board leap to 64-bits, from the kernel to all of its bundled apps, will make more memory available and boost performance. However, Apple will also need to manage its 64-bit lead and organize its developers. Here's why. ...

Review: CrossOver Mac Professional 7

Codeweavers CrossOver Mac Professional 7.0.2 uses just the Windows application programming interface (API) to run Windows apps on your Mac, without the Windows OS. It's an ingenious idea for a program that can save time and costs less than buying a separate copy of Windows. But CrossOver supports only a handful of commercial applications.

Hardcore gift ideas for hardcore Mac gamers

Section: Software + Apps, Games, Mac + Computers, Peripherals, Keyboards, Software, Features, Gift Guide The Macintosh is not a gaming machine. I understand that. I’ve been fighting the good fight for over a decade now, but it’s a losing battle. Mac users will never get as many games as PC owners, we’ll never see the innovation, and simultaneous releases continue to elude us even today. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t great games to be played. With the right software and hardware, it’s pretty easy to fool your Macintosh into thinking it’s an Xbox 360, if even for a little while. So, if you know a Mac gamer in need of some gifts this Christmas season, or if you’re getting a new Mac and want to see what it can do, here are a couple of suggestions to get you started (provided your system can handle them). Games Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Nothing says modern gaming better than modern warfare, and Call of Duty 4 is one of the hardest of the hardcore first-person shooters. It’s violent, it’s brutal, and it’s amazingly fun. If you’re using a high-end iMac, the game will look and play like a dream. Anything else, and…well, get yourself a high-end iMac (actually a good MacBook Pro will do the trick, too). The game offers a good single player option, but it’s the multiplayer action that’ll keep you coming back for more, including fights against PC users. Take the battle online and represent the Mac faithful. Battlestations: Midway - More war, more great gaming action. This one is equal parts strategy and action as you take the fight back to World War II and duke it out in the air, above the water, and below the water. In Battlestations: Midway, you control entire fleets of naval vessels and planes, but you don’t just push them around on a map. You control the strategy, but can then enter the vessels themselves to make the fight much more personal. The huge variety of missions combined with the multiple ways to play give this game a rather steep learning curve, but it’s one that’ll keep gamers entertained for quite some time. Neverwinter Nights 2 - Not quite as epic or involving as its predecessor, Neverwinter Nights 2 is still a fantastic game in its own right. Hardcore role-playing gamers will love the full range of character control and customization, and those looking for some action are going to find plenty of it. The game can be quite difficult, but it’s so great looking (again, if your system can handle it) that you’ll never feel completely frustrated or removed from its universe. However, if your system is at the low end of the requirements spectrum, you may want to give this one a pass; it’s incredibly frustrating if the graphics are slowing down the game, and they will. ToCA Race Driver 3 - I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a racing game since “Bump ‘n’ Jump” on the Intellivision, but that’s because I’m not a racing fan. For those of you who are, you can’t do any better on the Mac than ToCA Race Driver. This game will allow you to race virtually every professional racing circuit in the history of the sport. If you’re more about the car than the tracks, no worries; ToCA will allow you to customize your car for all kinds of things I don’t understand. The graphics feel a bit dated at this point, but that just means it’ll work on more Macs, and it doesn’t detract from the power of the game. Racing fans, you will again believe in the Macintosh. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - If your Mac owner is any type of gamer at all, he already owns World of Warcraft. The game has been around since 2004, and has been a dominant force in Mac/PC gaming ever since. Wrath of the Lich King is the latest expansion pack, and is pretty much a must-own for WoW gamers. I can’t vouch for the expansion itself, as I haven’t played it, but seeing that it “... adds a host of epic content to the existing game world” and allows players to achieve new levels of power with their characters, it’s sure to please any WoW gamer. Hardware Logitech G13 Advanced Gameboard - For many games, the computer keyboard + mouse combo is still the way to go for precise control and multiple commands. But the system can be improved, as evidenced by the Logitech G13. This device provides a naturally contoured fit for gaming comfort, and more conveniently places the keys a gamer will need to effectively play a game. There’s even an LCD screen to provide game stats, system info, player communication, and more. It’s handy for iMac owners, but is a complete must for MacBook/MacBook Pro owners who don’t have full-sized arrow keys or a number pad. Even if the recipient never uses it, just having this sitting on his desk greatly increases his hardcore cred. Other Ideas There’s no reason to stop short with this list. Gamers need plenty more than games, after all. Speakers and headphones are always welcome, but don’t go cheap. Low-end models often can’t handle the deep bass requirements of games, so I recommend going no lower than $50 for headphones or $80-$100 for speakers. You can also consider gamepads. There are still some joysticks available, but very few games call for them anymore, so stick with the gamepad. Logitech has a couple that are Mac compatible, but you’ll be able to find others. Just make sure the model you pick is compatible with the latest Mac OS X updates. So, there you go. These are just a few of the great games/products out there for the Mac this holiday season. If you have some of your own suggestions, offer them in the comments area. Christmas will come and go, after all, but Mac gaming is here to stay. I hope. Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

2008 in Review: The year in Mac gaming

Mobile gaming ruled the roost in 2008, as game makers focused on the iPhone. Chris Holt looks back at the past 12 months of highlights and lowlights in the Mac gaming market.