TransGaming's Cider... Gaming for Intel Macs

MacRumors · Aug 3, 2006, 02:29 PM

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InsideMacGames reports on TransGaming's announcement of a software portability engine called Cider.

Cider allows video game developers to deploy their Windows-based titles to Apple's new Intel-based Macs quickly and easily without the need for "traditional" porting.

According to the press release, this portability engine could allow publishers to release to both Windows and Mac simultaneously, ending the long delays that Mac users have come to expect with gaming titles.

Quote:

With Cider, game developers and publishers can easily extend their triple A portfolio to Intel Mac without any effort or delay which means that avid Mac gamers will have access to triple A video games coincidental with the Windows release

Cider requires no changes to the original source code. Instead, Cider actually loads the Windows-based game and links them to a set of optimized Win32 APIs. The process is similar to how WINE/CrossOver works allowing users to run Windows applications under Mac OS X without emulation.

These games, of course, would not run on PowerPC Macs, and could have consequences with Mac-focused developer companies which have provided porting services in the past.

boncellis · Aug 3, 2006, 02:30 PM

Could this mean an end to the whining within these hallowed halls?

It's the end of an era.

Stridder44 · Aug 3, 2006, 02:30 PM

Awesome. Now if only games didn't run slower under OS X in the first place.

pianodude123 · Aug 3, 2006, 02:33 PM

Say goodbye to native OS X game development.

Electro Funk · Aug 3, 2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pianodude123

Say goodbye to native OS X game development.

dear god people... if i had a $1.00 for everytime someone said this here at MR i would retire this year...

ezekielrage_99 · Aug 3, 2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electro Funk

dear god people... if i had a $1.00 for everytime someone said this here at MR i would retire this year...

I wish I was in on that as well, but seriously people are panic merchants especially when it comes to Mac gaming any small change or decent development we see the "that's the end for games on Apple forever posts".

I remember hearing these rumors when Apple first announced we are going to use Intel processors......

tominated · Aug 4, 2006, 01:27 AM

One word; WOOHOO!

Lollypop · Aug 4, 2006, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezekielrage_99

I wish I was in on that as well, but seriously people are panic merchants especially when it comes to Mac gaming any small change or decent development we see the "that's the end for games on Apple forever posts".

I remember hearing these rumors when Apple first announced we are going to use Intel processors......

I think people are worried the little that is there will just go away and they will be forced to use windows forever

I personally would like apple to provide a bit of support to game developers, I hate to agree with balmer but its all about the developers, and if apple started kissing game developer ass maybe we would see more native games!

SPUY767 · Aug 4, 2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electro Funk

dear god people... if i had a $1.00 for everytime someone said this here at MR i would retire this year...

Best avatar ever.

Eidorian · Aug 3, 2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stridder44

Awesome. Now if only games didn't run slower under OS X in the first place.

Maybe some DirectX to OpenGL overhead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pianodude123

Say goodbye to native OS X game development.

I don't see that happening. I don't see CURRENT OS X game developers just giving up. It's not like they're porting games. They already have an established fan base and are making games natively for OS X.

Stridder44 · Aug 3, 2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eidorian

Maybe some DirectX to Open GL overhead.

No kidding. Ever heard of WoW running up to 20 fps faster under windows on an Intel iMac than under OS X? I'll look for the link

shawnce · Aug 3, 2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stridder44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eidorian

Maybe some DirectX to OpenGL overhead.

No kidding. Ever heard of WoW running up to 20 fps faster under windows on an Intel iMac than under OS X? I'll look for the link

???

WoW on Mac OS X on an Intel Mac still uses OpenGL, DirectX doesn't come into play... so I don't understand your statement.

shawnce · Aug 3, 2006, 02:46 PM

This likely means Windows like UI (in behavior maybe not look... it wont follow Mac OS X behaviors well)... luckily most games are almost 100% in game UI rendered via OpenGL.

Stridder44 · Aug 3, 2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawnce

???

WoW on Mac OS X on an Intel Mac still uses OpenGL, DirectX doesn't come into play... so I don't understand your statement.

Well I can't say that it's 100% without a doubt true but I've heard alot of comments from people that can agree with me.

Also, http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/games/mac...rformance.html

A quote from the article:

Quote:

I was seeing about 25-30 FPS in the Ironforge Auction House area in OS X. With the same settings, I was seeing about 40-45 FPS in the same location with similar crowds in XP.

rbarris · Aug 3, 2006, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stridder44

No kidding. Ever heard of WoW running up to 20 fps faster under windows on an Intel iMac than under OS X? I'll look for the link

I have heard those stories. We're doing something about it.

Ask again after WWDC.

Rob (Blizzard Mac Team)

Stridder44 · Aug 3, 2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbarris

I have heard those stories. We're doing something about it.

Ask again after WWDC.

Rob (Blizzard Mac Team)

For serious? Why after WWD- wait........you know something.....

Also I wasn't directly targeting WoW, it was more of a blanket statement (but then again Im not even sure if it's true for other games as well).

Nermal · Aug 13, 2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbarris

I have heard those stories. We're doing something about it.

Ask again after WWDC.

Asking again

Chaszmyr · Aug 3, 2006, 02:34 PM

I don't know if this is very good news or very bad news... Depends on how well it works and how easy it makes things for developers I guess. If i am lucky enough to get to play NWN2 because of this, I'll be a happy camper.

mainstreetmark · Aug 3, 2006, 02:36 PM

THis is good news. Puts to rest one of the big three anti-mac arguments:

1. No software - bootcamp
2. No games - cider
3. Expensive - YGWYPF

BoyBach · Aug 3, 2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainstreetmark

2. No games - cider

Alcohol is not the solution to a problem

dekator · Aug 5, 2006, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshandrew

Alcohol is not the solution to a problem

Do you have a problem with alcohol ? No, only without alcohol

steve_hill4 · Aug 3, 2006, 02:37 PM

Would be nice if they could still concentrate on bringing out quality Mac versions of popular games. I hope this only adds to the range available and not swallow up native development.

Oh well, this is still great news. We'll see however.

Felldownthewell · Aug 3, 2006, 02:40 PM

If this works, I would be quite happy. I could delete my windows partition! Weee! Now, if it weren't 105 outside...when are we going to see the iWeather?

alec · Aug 3, 2006, 02:40 PM

Aspyr is about to be Joe Liebermaned...

thejadedmonkey · Aug 3, 2006, 02:44 PM

How does this differ from WINE? Doesn't WINE do the same exact thing?

Quote:

Cider-powered games use the same copy protection, lobbies, game matching, and connectivity as the original title.

Starforce? Will our macs end up with CD-ROM issues due to driver crap like XP has?

Aug 3, 2006, 02:30 PM	#2
boncellis macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Salt Lake City	Could this mean an end to the whining within these hallowed halls? It's the end of an era. __________________ * PB Rev. E * 4G iPod

Aug 3, 2006, 02:30 PM	#3
Stridder44 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: California	Awesome. Now if only games didn't run slower under OS X in the first place. __________________ The Un-Funny Truth About Scientology (Warning: Graphic images) MacBook Pro 15.4"/2.5 GHz/250GB/4GB RAM iMac G4 17"/800 Mhz/80GB/512GB RAM

Aug 3, 2006, 02:33 PM	#4
pianodude123 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: in the internet	Say goodbye to native OS X game development. __________________ Mac Pro - 2.66/4GB/2 x 1.5 TB/Dell 3007WFP Macbook Pro - 2.16/1GB/320GB Powermac G5 - Dual 2.7/4GB/23" ACD

Aug 4, 2006, 01:27 AM	#7
tominated macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia	One word; WOOHOO! __________________ 20" iMac Core Duo 13" 2.26Ghz MBP Upgraded to 4GB RAM & 500GB HDD

Aug 3, 2006, 02:46 PM	#13
shawnce macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2004	This likely means Windows like UI (in behavior maybe not look... it wont follow Mac OS X behaviors well)... luckily most games are almost 100% in game UI rendered via OpenGL. __________________ Steve Balmers the CEO of Microsoft... Dance Monkey, Developers!, The remix, The ad

Aug 3, 2006, 02:34 PM	#18
Chaszmyr macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boulder, CO	I don't know if this is very good news or very bad news... Depends on how well it works and how easy it makes things for developers I guess. If i am lucky enough to get to play NWN2 because of this, I'll be a happy camper.

Aug 3, 2006, 02:36 PM	#19
mainstreetmark macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Saint Augustine, FL	THis is good news. Puts to rest one of the big three anti-mac arguments: 1. No software - bootcamp 2. No games - cider 3. Expensive - YGWYPF __________________ iTunesRegistry.com <-- v3.0 Now Playing

Aug 3, 2006, 02:37 PM	#22
steve_hill4 macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Propping up the bar.	Would be nice if they could still concentrate on bringing out quality Mac versions of popular games. I hope this only adds to the range available and not swallow up native development. Oh well, this is still great news. We'll see however. __________________ If I had all the money I've spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink. - Vivian Stanshall

Aug 3, 2006, 02:40 PM	#23
Felldownthewell macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland	If this works, I would be quite happy. I could delete my windows partition! Weee! Now, if it weren't 105 outside...when are we going to see the iWeather? __________________ "Under a government which imprisons unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison" -Henry David Thoreau

Aug 3, 2006, 02:40 PM	#24
alec macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington DC	Aspyr is about to be Joe Liebermaned... __________________ Help Me Work In Burma: Do Your Holiday Shopping On Amazon!

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