'Call of Duty 4' and 'Civilization IV: Colonization' Hit the Mac App Store

[Piggie]

I still don't understand why people want to buy games this way, unless they were like 1/2 or 1/3rd the price of the game normally.

I'd buy the game on DVD play the game, then when I've finished or got bored, I can sell it on and recoup some money, the amount depending on how current the game is, to buy something else with.

Or perhaps I could swap it with a mate for another title, or if I was really generous I could give it away to a charity store to sell and get some money for the homeless.

Why would I want to pay for it on-line unless I'd much much cheaper, only for the sake of waiting 1 or 2 days for it to arrive in the mail?

 

[Thor74]

The higher game pricing for the App Store is going to be a major killer to thrift-savy shoppers like myself.

I buy so much off Amazon, Buy, NewEgg, Tiger, etc. to know that a premium on connivence is not worth it (for me at least). I get all my items from Amazon in less than 2 days... Especially on an older game like COD 4, justifying and extra $10 is hard, although I understand the 30% Apple cut forces the higher pricing.

However, excited to see the store growing more and adding more games.

 

[mr.steevo]

Why aren't these $0.99?

 

[katz]

You'd have to be a complete imbecile to buy Colonization on the app store and not steam. You can get it for $20 and you get the Mac and windows versions. Not only that but it goes on sale regularly. The entire civ 4 collection was $6 during Christmas. Lol I hope none of you waste your money on the app store version.

 

[asdf542]

If anything, I think Apple should redirect gaming interest to the Steam platform, but I guess a deal like that would be unprecidented for them.

That would be like Microsoft redirecting the interest away from Games for Windows Live to Steam. My only complaint with Steam is that the client is a dog and has a ton of errors and odd behavior due to the ancient API's they are using.

 

[NAG]

Hardly surprising considering there were two types of apps during the Mac App Store launch – mac applications that existed before and iOS ports – due to time limitations. The iOS App Store wasn't that great at launch either. If you have some of the old apps from the store launch that have not been updated in your iTunes library I encourage you go back and look at them. The quality has really increased over just a couple years. It will probably take a bit longer for the Mac App Store due to OS X apps taking longer to produce (unless you're making an iOS style app).

Edit: As far as pricing, this is a hold over from the crash mac games had around the time OS X switched to Intel (no idea if it is causative). Aspyr's business model unfortunately requires them to keep the price high even though the port times often resulted in months if not years of space between launch and port. I'm not an expert here, but there have been quite a few posts from people in the industry if that will help explain the pricing issue.

 

[Piggie]

The higher game pricing for the App Store is going to be a major killer to thrift-savy shoppers like myself.

I buy so much off Amazon, Buy, NewEgg, Tiger, etc. to know that a premium on connivence is not worth it (for me at least). I get all my items from Amazon in less than 2 days... Especially on an older game like COD 4, justifying and extra $10 is hard, although I understand the 30% Apple cut forces the higher pricing.

However, excited to see the store growing more and adding more games.

You mean the "Virtual" copy on the app store is actually more expensive than the real physical version in a store?

This has fail written all over it surely?

 

[NAG]

It seems that the Mac App Store is creating even more fragmentation for OS X. Now I have yet another place to shop for software. Mac Games Arcade, Steam, Mac App Store, retail shelves, Online distributors, bargain bins... Where am I supposed to look?

I think the best solution - honestly - would be for Apple to force developers to use the App store. The App store (for i devices) has proven to be a great way to get your application out there, with free marketing and distribution. I don't see why any developer wouldn't be on board with this.

No more backup discs, no more managing serial numbers, no more physical waste...

The only challenge here would be quality control vs the open system. I still want to be able to install a system extension, or add-on that might customize Mac OS X in some way Apple didn't intend, but on the same hand, I wouldn't want someone posting a free App advertising a new screensaver that would erase my hard drive on launch. If they could find a balance there, I think everyone would benefit, as they have on the iDevices.

Before you yell, remember, I'm not endorsing a closed system, just a closed singular distribution channel.

Is this satire? I'm having a hard time deciding.

 

[Dr McKay]

That would be like Microsoft redirecting the interest away from Games for Windows Live to Steam. My only complaint with Steam is that the client is a dog and has a ton of errors and odd behavior due to the ancient API's they are using.

Which is annoying because most of those bugs are rampant in the Windows version too, but before the big update to Steam right before it came to Mac, it ran flawlessly, never had 1 crash. Yes it looked simple and ugly, but it 'just worked'

 

[66318]

Aspyr and the other porting houses need a new business model. In this day and age, it makes little sense for them to continue on as just pure porting houses, releasing games well after the initial PC or console releases. We are now 5 years out from when the Mac switched to Intel and allowed people easy access to Windows. Games like Bioware for Mac sit on the shelves with inflated prices, just because they are "new" for Mac. Anyone really interested played the game long ago on a console or in Bootcamp.

Instead, Aspyr should work directly with the game developers as a contractor, assisting with making a native Mac port for day 1 release. That way, more new games could come to Steam via SteamPlay and be on both platforms. Games are increasingly putting more effort into the multiplayer aspect, and more players able to play day one would be good for everyone.

And hopefully this would mean Aspyr games would be playable on modern Macs. I'm still a bit bitter that they chose to add disc based DRM (requiring the DVD in the drive) to games from id Software, when the Windows and Linux versions had no such protection. This led to me having to crack my own legal copy just to be able to play Quake Wars at Quakecon on a MacBook Air.

 

[mikethebigo]

I find it interesting how Apple, who's main philosophy in creating the App Store for the i devices, was to limit fragmentation and control quality by forcing all applications to come through one channel. This way, all users would benefit from a single source to browse for applications, without having to worry about price shopping, or apps that might brick their devices, and such.

It seems that the Mac App Store is creating even more fragmentation for OS X. Now I have yet another place to shop for software. Mac Games Arcade, Steam, Mac App Store, retail shelves, Online distributors, bargain bins... Where am I supposed to look?

I think the best solution - honestly - would be for Apple to force developers to use the App store. The App store (for i devices) has proven to be a great way to get your application out there, with free marketing and distribution. I don't see why any developer wouldn't be on board with this.

No more backup discs, no more managing serial numbers, no more physical waste...

The only challenge here would be quality control vs the open system. I still want to be able to install a system extension, or add-on that might customize Mac OS X in some way Apple didn't intend, but on the same hand, I wouldn't want someone posting a free App advertising a new screensaver that would erase my hard drive on launch. If they could find a balance there, I think everyone would benefit, as they have on the iDevices.

Before you yell, remember, I'm not endorsing a closed system, just a closed singular distribution channel.

I won't yell, but I will say that I will stop buying Macs if this happens. Of course, there's two camps here: one that says "it will never happen on OSX, stupid," and the other that says "it's only a matter of time until OSX is as locked down as iOS."

I'm under the belief that Mr. SJ has it in for OSX, planning on integrating it with iOS and doing just what you say, only allowing apps that come from the app store. It's a more profitable business model for Apple, and continues the philosophy of vertical integration that they love so much.

But the second I can't install whatever I want with my desktop operating system, I'm out.

 

[adztaylor]

Is this satire? I'm having a hard time deciding.

I really hope it is.

 

[Consultant]

A bit random with Call of Duty 4.... Surely they'd want their most recent title Modern Warfare 2 on there first? And then add the older games.

MW2 is more popular for online games.

Weird how Apple promote a game that was originally released in November of 2007 and we all sit here in wonder... ooooh... ahhhh.

Seriously, now that Apple has a great delivery system for games, they need to work with developers to encourage development of games for OS X.

Apple is not promoting the specific games. I saw COD4 yesterday but didn't think it's news worthy.

 

[singhy44]

Have they updated CoD 4? Because I bought it on disc, and it's been unplayable ever since I've moved to Snow Leopard, where I got 100fps, now I get about 15, same settings and everything. Hopefully I'll get whatever they've updated.
I heard MW2 was coming to Mac, but it hasn't yet, and there's no point since BO is a decent game. CoD 4 has only been continually popular because WaW was rubbish, and MW2 somewhat underwhelming.
The price is extortionate though.
EDIT: The App Store doesn't want to recognize it as 'Installed', and the version is different. The app I have is version 1.7, the store version is 1.7.1. Any ideas to get onto the new version?

Also, whoever said a closed system is a good idea, I beg to differ. I will give up on Mac. Despite getting away with a lot, Apple can't get away with murder. A closed system is great on an iPhone, where I don't really need to do too much, but on a computer? No thanks.

 

[asdf542]

Which is annoying because most of those bugs are rampant in the Windows version too, but before the big update to Steam right before it came to Mac, it ran flawlessly, never had 1 crash. Yes it looked simple and ugly, but it 'just worked'

Valve should really just split the development in two instead of producing these weird frankenstein clients that contain data from a completely different OS. If Steam for Mac used native Cocoa API's then the major issues would be fixed. Things like hidden expose windows and one of the worst scrolling system ever placed in an OS X app.

 

[Beaverfish]

Is anyone having problems with Punk buster in COD4 multi-player downloaded from the app store?

 

[dlewis23]

Is that how updates are handled on iOS? I've never really given it any thought. So I download the whole app again? Or just an update?

You download the entire app again.

 

[NAG]

I won't yell, but I will say that I will stop buying Macs if this happens. Of course, there's two camps here: one that says "it will never happen on OSX, stupid," and the other that says "it's only a matter of time until OSX is as locked down as iOS."

I'm under the belief that Mr. SJ has it in for OSX, planning on integrating it with iOS and doing just what you say, only allowing apps that come from the app store. It's a more profitable business model for Apple, and continues the philosophy of vertical integration that they love so much.

But the second I can't install whatever I want with my desktop operating system, I'm out.

You can't unopen pandora's box. Turning OS X into iOS would literally kill the Mac. Claiming that since OS X is getting some of the same UI gimmicks as the iOS along with an Apple run store leads to a slippery slope is exactly that, a slippery slope argument.

More likely you'll see some people eventually be able to only need an iPad and an iPhone/iPod for their computing needs. Sort of like how some people only have a laptop computer – unthinkable back when laptops were first developed. Laptops have not killed desktops, though. There are still Mac Pros that have some degree of expandability.

It is easy to just flip out and claim Apple will do such and such. It is harder to actually look at what has happened in the past instead of just assuming the worst thing ever.

 

[Eauboy]

Mac game play

How is game play for a FPS when using a Macbook Pro? I'm used to playing shooters on consoles, and I'm having a hard time picturing how the touchpad + keyboard would be very satisfactory. Is a mouse or trackball more realistic for move/shoot/look type games?


Thanks...

 

[JAT]

Is this satire? I'm having a hard time deciding.

If not, webman is a minority of one.

How is game play for a FPS when using a Macbook Pro? I'm used to playing shooters on consoles, and I'm having a hard time picturing how the touchpad + keyboard would be very satisfactory. Is a mouse or trackball more realistic for move/shoot/look type games?

I'm not much of a gamer anymore, but I do love trackballs and trackpads. And neither of them are any good for most games. Get a regular mouse.

 

[mikethebigo]

You can't unopen pandora's box. Turning OS X into iOS would literally kill the Mac. Claiming that since OS X is getting some of the same UI gimmicks as the iOS along with an Apple run store leads to a slippery slope is exactly that, a slippery slope argument.

More likely you'll see some people eventually be able to only need an iPad and an iPhone/iPod for their computing needs. Sort of like how some people only have a laptop computer – unthinkable back when laptops were first developed. Laptops have not killed desktops, though. There are still Mac Pros that have some degree of expandability.

It is easy to just flip out and claim Apple will do such and such. It is harder to actually look at what has happened in the past instead of just assuming the worst thing ever.

Have you seen the Motorola Atrix? That is the future of computing. The ARM and low power processors are fast enough now to run a desktop environment. Remember, at the core, iOS and OSX are the same operating system. It is not that far of a stretch of the imagination to see the two coming together.

I agree there are still Mac Pros, but you have to admit Apple has completely changed course towards the consumer electronics market. They're not looking to tag the professional, high tech crowd anymore.. Microsoft and Linux can have those guys. Goodbye XServe.

I'm not flipping out, but the danger is very real and very there. I am a big Apple fan and have mostly Apple computing tech, I'm just saying, if the control gets even worse, I won't stay.

 

[Full of Win]

I wonder if Apple will put up or shut up when it comes to Final Cut Studio....whenever that comes out.

 

[kresh]

remember that awesome cod game u played back in 07.. well get ready to pay 50$ for the exact same thing, but this time....... ITS ON A MAC!!! omg

Just wait, I understand they will be releasing Master of Orion II very soon, and at the discounted price of $39.99

 

[asdf542]

I wonder if Apple will put up or shut up when it comes to Final Cut Studio....whenever that comes out.

http://www.9to5mac.com/35112/jobs-great-final-cut-pro-update-coming-early-2011

Also remember reading somewhere that they are making a version specifically for the advances they are making in QuickTime in Lion.

 

[ferrous]

Where is Civilization 5? It's been out for so long.