As anyone with a Mac knows, processor transitions are bumpy. Going from 680x0 to PowerPC was a pain, but it was nothing compared to the hassles associated with the switch to Intel processors, which has just passed the two-year mark since completion.
The bottom line is this:
> If you have a Mac bought in the last 2-3 years you will likely be unable to run many of the games on offer here on Goozex.
Details:
>Games coded directly for Intel processors will run great (includes stuff like Star Wars Empire at War, Heroes of Might & Magic V, and other recent games)
> There is something called 'Universal Binary', which means that the game has been re-compiled for both Intel and PowerPC chips. Unlike the earlier 'Fat Binary' solution for running on 680x0 and PowerPC, these programs run very well without any slowdown.
- Even earlier games like Baldur's Gate 2, KotOR, Jedi Knight 2, Warcraft III, Diablo 2, and so on have gotten these patches.
> Apple has a 'software PowerPC' emulation system called 'Rosetta' to help run software coded for the PowerPC chip. There are mixed results for this solution:
- Running well: No One Lives Forever, Aliens vs. Predator, etc.
- Running poorly or not at all: No One Lives Forever 2, Stubbs the Zombie, etc
> Anything written for a 680x0 Mac *WILL NOT WORK*. There is a program called 'Sheepshaver', but I've had limited success with that - and even then you will be running Mac OS 9.x in a wrapped environment, so performance will be crappy. So games like Dark Forces, Unreal, Might & Magic VI, and so on simply won't work.
For more up to date info on games you are interested in, check out here (http://guides.macrumors.com/Intel_Mac_Games), or ask in this thread!
*** note: to avoid any fanboy anti-Apple nonsense I am locking this thread and deleting the old one. If you have questions please PM me or start a thread specific to the game in question and I will try to help.
-- Mike Managing Editor - GamerDad Editor - RPGWatch
