Mac Indie Games

[Sfiera]

I think we probably only need to wait as long as it will take for the Apple TV to be dead and buried (can't be long now, can it?). There were many people who hooked up their Mac Mini to their TV for music and movies, and the mini suffered for a while as Apple pushed the Apple TV there. But, it hasn't made an impact, and since we already know Apple wants to be hooked up to your TV, I wouldn't be surprised to see them try again, with a more console-like experience (including games).

[p3ter_st0ry]

I personally don't think Apple's ever going to release some sort of console (at least not in the near future). For one apple doesn't have direct X 10, and for another apple just doesn't really seem to care. Has anyone ever seen the pipin?
Yea... 

[Alec]

I was really talking about a console, I was more talking about how the Mac is already like a console because of the limited differences in hardware. (compared to windows machines)

I think if Apple designed some new and interesting controller, and added a "Games" folder much like the "Applications" folder (and maybe a cool looking games launcher, kinda front row or something) it would be cool.

[KingAl]

p3ter_story: What about DirectX 10?

[xander]

For one apple doesn't have direct X 10...

What does DirectX10 have to do with anything?

As to the topic of conversation, an Apple console is not the point.  The point is that, as Alec said, Apples are already like consoles, in that there is only a limited amount of hardware variability, so it should be, in theory, easy to optimize for Macs -- much more so than for generic Windows or Linux boxes.

xander

[p3ter_st0ry]

I do realize direct X 10 has nothing to do with what we were talking about previously. That was just aimed at Sfiera (the reason being I don't think Apple's going to release a console like the xbox because they really have no investment in gaming. If they were going to release some sort of console, they would probably approach doing it by getting developers interested w/ some sort of programming interface for games, like direct X). Maybe (?) that's clearer.

And I agree, that would be a pretty good idea to just add a games folder. It's annoying digging through the applications folder to find games (sadly most aren't worth my dock real estate).

edit: wait a second, discount everything I've said. Sorry Sfiera, I read your post wrong. 

[Alec]

I prefer programming in OpenGL to DirectX, and Mac OSX supports OpenGL quite nicely.

[thechef]

I guess Penumbra Overture should be released for Mac soon. The linux and windows version were released a long time ago, but there is a Demo for Mac. Let's hope they release all versions at the same time when the second and last Episode of Penumbra is released (Q1/2008)

[Zam]

http://www.vendetta-online.com/

^ A rock of inde developing, there's been a grand total of around 4 guys working on this game at a time. For six years or so.

It's an awesome MMORPG. In space.
sometimes called 'space quake' 

[p3ter_st0ry]

Just wondering, does Open GL work as well for 3D games as Direct X?
Or is it just a matter of preference?

(I know direct X works better on some specialized graphics cards, at least I think I know  ).

Oh, and sorry if I sounded like a complete ass before (I'm pretty sure I did). I just don't know what go into me

[KingAl]

They're different. Most obviously, OpenGL is more portable. OpenGL is an open standard and offers extensions, which mean it can take advantage of new hardware features faster, while DirectX is not, and can't without Microsoft's say-so. DirectX includes features other than Direct3D for input, networking etc., whereas you have to find other solutions  for those things if you use OpenGL. DirectX expects you to manage hardware, OpenGL implementations do so themselves.  The way you interact with them also differs, predictably enough. In terms of performance the difference isn't obvious, particularly considering issues like poor support for OpenGL by Microsoft supplied drivers and Vista drivers.

So... yeah. Different.

[p3ter_st0ry]

Thanks!!! 

Glad you could clear that up for me.

[Electrolite]

I didn't see anyone mention Freeverse. They've diversified over the years, but are still in the Mac game market. It's true that Apple really hasn't made a concerted effort at being a good gaming platform. They did try to do something similar to DirectX with their GameSprockets, but I don't know if those even made it to OS X. Since then they've stuck with OpenGL and OpenAL, though they do have some platform-specific OpenGL extensions that can improve performance.

I think a LiveArcade-style system like what Alec suggests would be a great idea.

Edited to add: I should clarify that I'm speaking for myself here, not for Ambrosia

[shinygerbil]

Bay 12 Games have apparently come a long way with porting Kobold Quest to Mac. This is good news - once KQ is ported, then Dwarf Fortress can't be far behind. I think they've actually said that the only reason they're porting KQ is so that it'll make life easier when it comes to porting DF.

[xvs07]

RE: Dwarf Fortress, Tarn "Toady One" Adams basically made it known on his forums that he'd work on porting DF when KQ was ported, reason being that they share much fundamental code.

One of the things I love about Mac gaming is the way the lack of selection forces me to seek out tiny, poorly publicized games I've never heard of.

Millenipede is one of those.  Likely the most beautiful recreation of 'Pede ever spawned.  And then there's Titan Attacks, a really polished, jazzy Space Invaders descendant.

Xiq is another.  It's like Qix, but you shoot lines instead of making them by moving and there's not one big, slow enemy, but a neverending onslaught.  Plus customizable music.  Definitely innovative.

I have to agree with all previous posts in that I can't think of any OS X-exclusive titles that're worth more than fifteen minutes of play, but I think exclusivity is a poor benchmark anyhow.  So without further ado, on to the usual suspects.

The same guy who ported most of Cho's games also ported a slew by Junpei Isshiki.

Numerous roguelikes in several variations each have been ported to the Mac.  Scads of Angband variants, mostly, but also Nethack, ADoM, ToME, Moria, and Crawl.

Speaking of Crawl, Henzell's Overgod and Garden of Colored Lights were ported.  Can't remember where I found them, but a little google-fu and you should have them.

Jon Mak's Gate88 is compatible, as is Marco Incitti's Gridwars.

Several of Retrospec's releases are OS X-compatible, including Head Over Heels and Wizball.

And, well, lotsa stuff is cross compatible.  Lots.  Kiki the Nanobot, Facade, BZFlag, Escape Velocity, Jet Set Willy, Mutant Storm, N, Super DX-Ball, Super Mario War, numerous ports of Ultimas, and then there are all of LittleWing's fabulous pinball games.  People talk about Macs not being any fun, but I've never lacked.