OS X COD Black OPS - App Store vs Steam

[Dirtyharry50]

I noticed on the App Store COD Black OPS supports Game Center in Mountain Lion but I didn't see anything specifying exactly how. For example, are there achievements? Is multiplayer matching done via Game Center?

What about Steam? If the game is bought there, is Game Center still supported?

I'm on the fence about which place to purchase the game at although given how buggy the Steam client is on the Mac maybe the App Store is the best bet anyway.

 

[TheGreatWumpus]

There's no inherent gameplay difference. The Multiplayer uses the same servers. But you use Steam to launch the Steam version and Game Center for the MAS version. They aren't cross-supported, so if you you'll be using it from either GC or Steam exclusively.

Achievements are done through GC or Steam respectively. Essentially the only difference is how you launch the game.

 

[dba415]

I can confirm that they are identical.

 

[Dirtyharry50]

Thanks guys. I'm still on the fence which one to go with. It's cool you get achievements either way. I do kind of like how Steam tracks time played. Anyone know if Game Center tracks time for games you play that support it?

 

[koolmagicguy]

I do kind of like how Steam tracks time played. Anyone know if Game Center tracks time for games you play that support it?

It doesn't. Though you could install Timing from the app store which is a really handy app for just that.

Also, Black Ops tracks time played in the Playercard section.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I'd go with steam because that's where all of my other games are

Also, I hate that poker table.

 

[aussiedj]

Make sure your not running a nvidea GPU, I read it doesn't run well if at all.

 

[flindet]

One possible advantage that the Mac App Store has over Steam is the licensing. If you have more than one Mac in your home that meets the requirements of the game, it may be worth buying it from MAS because its licensing allows for installation on multiple Macs in your home.

This is nice if you want to play with roommates or other family members. Check the MAS license agreement for details, but when I first tried this with Borderlands, I contacted Feral to make sure this was legitimate. Not only did they say it was, but they helped me get the multiplayer working!

So, I usually buy games from Steam when they have their insane sales, but for me the MAS is essentially a constant 50% off sale as it means the wife and I both get whatever app I purchase (not that she really cares about most of the crap I buy like dumb games and such.. hahah)

http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE

Edit: Clarification: You need to own all the Macs involved. So, having someone play on another of your Macs is legit, but installing it on your roommate's Mac that YOU don't own, may not be. Anyway, I don't know; I'm no lawyer. But if you own more than one Mac, that can be a cool advantage to MAS.

 

[Miharu]

To me, the point of having a game in Steam is so that you can have it on both Windows and Mac. Since it's not the case with this one certain game, I'd just go with the MAS version, at least you don't have to open an external application to open the game.

I hate Game Center's interface too. Is a casino table really the first thing that comes to mind when people think of the word "games"? Gambling is illegal in many countries even.

 

[tuncer]

Here's an absolutely shameless, disgusting, heartless plug but hey, it'll save you $10 off the Steam version of Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Go to Macgamestore Call of Duty Black Ops page and click Buy Now. In the coupon area, enter code: cod10off and hit apply. It'll save you $10 off the Steam version.

 

[Aspyr-Blair]

I second Tuncer's shameless, disgusting, heartless plug for the MacGameStore

It's a good buying experience, they frequently run some of the best deals out there and the new site design is super slick.

The App Store and Steam are both great too, but since Tuncer is kind enough to hand out the coupon, might as well give MacGameStore a try!

To be clear, MacGameStore's version of Black Ops is the Steam based version.

 

[0098386]

One possible advantage that the Mac App Store has over Steam is the licensing. If you have more than one Mac in your home that meets the requirements of the game, it may be worth buying it from MAS because its licensing allows for installation on multiple Macs in your home.

This is nice if you want to play with roommates or other family members. Check the MAS license agreement for details, but when I first tried this with Borderlands, I contacted Feral to make sure this was legitimate. Not only did they say it was, but they helped me get the multiplayer working!

So, I usually buy games from Steam when they have their insane sales, but for me the MAS is essentially a constant 50% off sale as it means the wife and I both get whatever app I purchase (not that she really cares about most of the crap I buy like dumb games and such.. hahah)

http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE

Edit: Clarification: You need to own all the Macs involved. So, having someone play on another of your Macs is legit, but installing it on your roommate's Mac that YOU don't own, may not be. Anyway, I don't know; I'm no lawyer. But if you own more than one Mac, that can be a cool advantage to MAS.

Doesn't the game check for serial numbers too? You wouldn't be able to play online with all those computers.


OP- I'd go for Steam, as you get both a Windows and OSX copy of the game, and eventually Linux (if the devs port it over). But if you're never going to use those systems then it's not such a big deal.

 

[avemestr]

OP- I'd go for Steam, as you get both a Windows and OSX copy of the game, and eventually Linux (if the devs port it over). But if you're never going to use those systems then it's not such a big deal.

You don't get the Windows version, if you buy CoD: Black Ops for OS X on Steam.

 

[0098386]

You don't get the Windows version, if you buy CoD: Black Ops for OS X on Steam.

That sucks!

 

[flindet]

Doesn't the game check for serial numbers too?

Well, I don't own Black Ops yet, so I don't have a way to try that. If what you're saying is true, that would definitely be a bummer, but from what I remember it wasn't a problem for Borderlands. However, it has been a while since I tested it.

Since the Aspyr guy's hanging out here, let's ask him:

Hey, Aspyr-Blair, it's my understanding that if I buy software from the Mac App Store, it's perfectly legitimate to install and run that software on up to five Macs that I own in the same house. Can you confirm that's Aspyr's understanding and that we can expect that to be true for Black Ops? If so, is there any reason to believe we'd hit licensing or technical difficulties if we play on two Macs I own together at the same time on the Internet (say with the wife playing on the second Mac)?

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[0098386]

Well, I don't own Black Ops yet, so I don't have a way to try that. If what you're saying is true, that would definitely be a bummer, but from what I remember it wasn't a problem for Borderlands. However, it has been a while since I tested it.
.

Borderlands doesn't use a serial key. Or at least the PC versions don't, they're tied to your Steam account.

 

[Penn Jennings]

Doesn't the game check for serial numbers too? You wouldn't be able to play online with all those computers.


OP- I'd go for Steam, as you get both a Windows and OSX copy of the game, and eventually Linux (if the devs port it over). But if you're never going to use those systems then it's not such a big deal.

I purchased Black Ops last week and installed on my 2011 MBP and my daughters 2010 iMac, we played multiplayer zombie mode for hours. My guess is that it is fully functional, just like COD 4 is. Civ 5 is the only game that I can't get multiplayer to work.

Personally, we 4 Macs in our house that are registered to me (mine, wife, 2 kids) the ability to buy once and install 4 times is HUGE.... Civ 5, Black Ops, pages, numbers, Total War, etc. If I buy Final Cut X for $300 I get 4 copies.

If you buy apps other than games, the App Store is really the way to go I think. When you get a new you don't have to worry about license violations at all.

 

[Djevlen]

Whenever I buy a game from Aspyr on Steam I can play it on both my imac and my Mbp, granted I can only be playing on one at a time

 

[Aspyr-Blair]

Hey, Aspyr-Blair, it's my understanding that if I buy software from the Mac App Store, it's perfectly legitimate to install and run that software on up to five Macs that I own in the same house. Can you confirm that's Aspyr's understanding and that we can expect that to be true for Black Ops? If so, is there any reason to believe we'd hit licensing or technical difficulties if we play on two Macs I own together at the same time on the Internet (say with the wife playing on the second Mac)?

Thanks for clarifying.

Hey flindet, good question. Yes, to our understanding Apple allows you to install and run Black Ops (or any game for that matter) on any Mac that you own. You could then play the game in Single player mode on any of those machines, even at the same time. For Multiplayer, the users would have to be on separate GameCenter accounts in order for it to work....but yes...it will still work

Hope that helps!

 

[flindet]

Hey flindet, good question. Yes, to our understanding Apple allows you to install and run Black Ops (or any game for that matter) on any Mac that you own. You then could play multiplayer with each other on those Macs with no tech difficulties or licensing issues. We've tested it a million different ways in QA and never once came across an issue.

Thanks, Aspyr-Blair! That is a huge help for everyone, I'm sure. I'll definitely be purchasing this game and the zombie expansion pack shortly. Thank you!

 

[Penn Jennings]

Thanks, Aspyr-Blair! That is a huge help for everyone, I'm sure. I'll definitely be purchasing this game and the zombie expansion pack shortly. Thank you!

Zombies are included

At least on the App store version, I have no information any other versions.

 

[Djevlen]

It is on the steam version as welll, but there is a DLC available which includes some extra Zombie stuff.

 

[Aspyr-Blair]

We included the "First Strike" DLC in both versions cuz you just gotta have Zombies! "First Strike" is 4 multiplayer maps, plus a different Zombie experience (loads of fun.) The "Rezurrection" DLC is also available via in-app purchase on MacApp or as a DLC purchase on Steam or other fine retailers such as MacGameStore or GameAgent

"Rezurrection" is my favorite DLC since the locale is on the Moon, and the 4 additional maps are the old school Zombie ones. Its challenging and pretty scary. Definitely worth looking into if you dig on the Zombie side of COD.

 

[Penn Jennings]

It is on the steam version as welll, but there is a DLC available which includes some extra Zombie stuff.

Ah yes..... Thanks for that, I just purchased it.

 

[Pyromonkey83]

I purchased Black Ops last week and installed on my 2011 MBP and my daughters 2010 iMac, we played multiplayer zombie mode for hours. My guess is that it is fully functional, just like COD 4 is. Civ 5 is the only game that I can't get multiplayer to work.

Personally, we 4 Macs in our house that are registered to me (mine, wife, 2 kids) the ability to buy once and install 4 times is HUGE.... Civ 5, Black Ops, pages, numbers, Total War, etc. If I buy Final Cut X for $300 I get 4 copies.

If you buy apps other than games, the App Store is really the way to go I think. When you get a new you don't have to worry about license violations at all.

If you dont mind helping me out... I bought the Mac App Store version of Black Ops recently, and I cannot figure out for the life of me how to set up multiplayer Zombies! Every time I go into the zombies area and click multiplayer it tries to connect, then fails about 20 seconds later saying "cannot find any lobbies" or something along those lines...

Also, is there a way to set up a game through a LAN or is it online only? And how do you ensure you are with whoever you want to play with? Is there an "invite friends" function I cant seem to find??

Thanks for the help anyone...