Possibility for Steam to work on the mac! McAwesome anxiously waits...

[Sgt. McAwesome]

While searching for Steam via google, I came across this little bit. I don't know how accurate this is, but this is merely a rumor. If it's true, I'm using this version from now on.

Gaming on the Mac has certainly improved in recent years, with more big name titles like BioShock crossing the void from Windows at a speedier pace (read: two years instead of four or six) than ever. But it's hard to argue that the famous "Mac Gamer" parody isn't still based on some truths. Those jokes may soon begin to lose whatever punch they have left, however, because there's a chance Steam may be headed for the Mac.

Steam is Valve Software's wildly successful "app store for games" on Windows. Much like iTunes, Steam provides a forum for many of the gaming industry's publishers to offer their wares as digital downloads. Players install a Steam client which allows them to shop, download, launch games, and make friends to play with (or against) online.

As reported by MacNN, files found in the recesses of a new Steam beta update suggest that a Mac version of the store may be in the works. There are graphic files for Mac window buttons (Close, Minimize, and the green, ambiguous "Best Fit"), as well as a new "osx.menu" file. Be still, my rapidly beating gamer heart.

Valve did not return a request for comment.

If these images do indicate that Steam is destined for Apple's side of the fence, it could be a huge boost to gaming on the Mac. It is not, however, a guarantee that blockbuster games like Half Life 2, Left for Dead, or any of the latest series will be along for the ride. Steam--the store or outlet for buying games--is one thing, but games themselves will still require a lot of work to make the same transition.

Perhaps more interesting, if the prophecy foretold by these unassuming beta files comes to pass, is the potential shift it represents in the gaming industry's acknowledgement of the Mac. Heck, it could even mean that Apple has finally improved its hot-and-cold attitude towards gaming (hat-tip to the App Store for that one). Apple has pushed hard on gaming with the iPhone OS, and it's showed no signs of letting up, if its iPad marketing hype and demos are any indication. Maybe the positive experience of the iPhone has washed back onto the Mac OS X platform.

Or maybe the Mac has gotten big enough for Valve to finally get serious about it.

Source

Not sure many of you are interested, but I sure am. =D

 

[Skyward2554]

You can play CSS,TF2,INS and others on Mac using Crossover Games

Standalone or Steam attached. (No Ingame Overlay)

Your not the only 1 who plays on a mac, i use Pc and MAC XD

 

[Countess]

I'll be mostly happy for the chat function on the mac... I wouldn't play games on my mac just because I might as well use my PC but I liked talking to people during class while I was using my laptop... which I can't do with the mac ><

 

[Ma$termind]

Indeed, I would be happy for just the community functions - chat, etc.

Though, perhaps they are considering a Mac section in the Steam Store... Not something I'd be interested in, but perhaps there are some Steam users that play natively on both OS's.

 

[The Yeti]

lmao, they had to compare steam to itunes for Mac users to understand. Ahahahaha. /joke

 

[Ducttape]

 

[Ma$termind]

Valve is indeed planning to port some of its most popular games to the Mac, confirms the developer's marketing VP, Doug Lombardi.

http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/03/03/teaser.hints.at.portal.team.fortress.2/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10463650-62.html

Seems not only is Steam making it's way to OS X, but Valve's actually porting over some games... It would be pretty sweet if owners of the Windows version of the game could download and play the ported version on their Macs, as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they expect you to repurchase the game, though.

 

[Ma$termind]

*Bump*

"Steamworks for the Mac supports all of the Steamworks APIs, and we have added a new feature, called Steam Play, which allows customers who purchase the product for the Mac or Windows to play on the other platform free of charge. For example, Steam Play, in combination with the Steam Cloud, allows a gamer playing on their work PC to go home and pick up playing the same game at the same point on their home Mac. We expect most developers and publishers to take advantage of Steam Play."

The first Mac Steam client will be the new generation currently in beta testing on Windows.

http://store.steampowered.com/news/3569/

Very cool.

 

[Ducttape]

wow, I might consider getting an Apple computer :O

Steam on the Mac will behave just like Steam for Windows, but through Steam Play will add cross-platform ownership. That means if you own Left 4 Dead 2 for Windows, then you already own it for the Mac. There's no need to buy it twice! Unless you want to buy it twice, in which case, as long as you're feeling so generous, why not buy it five times?

Plus, Mac and Windows players can go head-to-head, since both Left 4 Deads are cross-platform compatible. Mac owners can even host their own servers and create their own maps, just like Windows users.

The Mac Versions of L4D1 and 2 don't run under emulation software but in native code. That's technical talk for how cool your friends will think you are with your five copies of Left 4 Dead 2 for the Mac.