Just a few scant weeks after
revealing to Joystiq their plans to release a Mac client, GameTap has outlined the details of its branching service, which will debut with the
free ad-supported "Lite" model for Apple users on June 28th. Like its PC counterpart, GameTap's Mac Lite client will feature a rotating selection of 30-40 games, but will not support newer Windows-based offerings like
Tomb Raider: Legend. The "Deluxe" pay-to-play service will follow later in the summer, with a goal to provide a catalog of nearly 500 titles, including Saturn and Dreamcast games -- but again, Windows titles are out; so no episodic originals like
Sam & Max or American McGee's upcoming
Grimm. The Deluxe client will also support online multiplayer modes featured in GameTap's "Challenge" games category.
Like
Myst Online: URU Live and
EA's forthcoming Mac lineup, GameTap for OS X will utilize
Cider emulation technology, which is only compatible with Intel-based Macs. Cider will support cross-platform competition, allowing Mac and PC players to face off in Challenge games. Which will prevail:
the one-button mouse or two?
{ Jun 19th 2007 at 7:56PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve @ Jun 19th 2007 8:08PM
Seems like all along when "Mac" from the Apple commercials would brag about doing all sorts of fun stuff "PC" should have said, I have GameTap and tons of other new exclusive games. Fuck off!
T H @ Jun 19th 2007 8:20PM
I have to say, although I own 2 Macs and a PC, I still miss having 2 buttons... pressing "ctrl" on my Macbook Pro everytime I need a right click sucks. Other than that...
scelestus @ Jun 19th 2007 8:29PM
Then go to System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse...click the Trackpad tab...and check "Tap trackpad using two fingers for secondary click. There you go...put 2 fingers on the trackpad and click....right-click.
Tim @ Jun 19th 2007 9:12PM
desktop/tower macs ship with 2 button mice these days.
Tim @ Jun 19th 2007 11:14PM
Actually, the Mighty Mouse has four clickable actions. Still, I got rid of mine for a Logitech MX Revolution. The scroll wheel on the Mighty Mouse gets dirty too easily.
Roflgoat @ Jun 19th 2007 9:38PM
Wow... Don't get so worked up. They just used a reference to one button mice, which are now associated with Apple computers.
Also, how are Windows games going to work on that if they ever port the deluxe player?
That reminds me. Mac users won't be using their mice because the Lite player doesn't support Windows games.
mrfong @ Jun 19th 2007 9:52PM
Tim, you said it before I got the chance to :) It is frustrating how the ball gets dirty though; I'm about to take the thing apart just to clean it.
bearxor @ Jun 20th 2007 3:53PM
I find the two-finger touch to be actually better than using a separate left/right mouse button on pc laptops. Two problems with this though:
1) It doesn't work in Windows
2) It's not practical for games
One should be fixed via a boot camp update from apple.
As for two, who's honestly playing any mouse-intensive game with a laptop touch pad.
But yes, having used a Dell laptop for the past several years and then transitioning to a MBP in OS X, the two-button tap of the touch pad + the scrolling options are vastly superior. Can't wait until it works in Windows.
(01) @ Jun 19th 2007 10:12PM
Wow Steve, little hostile? Perhaps that new Zune tattoo is making you a little cranky. Anyway, me and my MBP will definitly be checking this out but not being able to play Grimm is going to be pretty brutal. Ahhh, well, I guess I'll just fuck off....
uros @ Jun 19th 2007 10:31PM
I'm pretty excited to see how GameTap will turn out on the Mac. But one thing that irritates me is when people assume that all Mac users have a one-button mouse!
Norm @ Jun 19th 2007 10:39PM
I don't even see the point that intel mac thing. I mean If you want to play games on your Intel Mac, just install windows via bootcamp. I'm glad OSX is getting more games, don't get me wrong- but there is a long way to go.
mmw @ Jun 19th 2007 11:54PM
I have to say that, having many tried many different touchpads, the Macbook ones are far superior to the rest of the field, given the two-finger scroll/second click and even the very feel of the surface. In fact, I'm amazed that no other company actually spends time perfecting that component, considering the fact that it's smooth operation has more of an impact on the user experience than just about anything. Also, though I really don't care for the idea of the iPhone, it's interface looks amazingly simple and efficient.
t_m @ Jun 20th 2007 1:04AM
we had a 3 button mouse on our ancient OS8 mac in my old office about 8 years ago.. some people really need to catch up..
PS/ Gametap free is sweet, and frankly, I've spent much more time playing the old emulated classics than the new windows games..
PPS/ I still wonder what will happen if a free game stops being free when I'm half way through playing it. (TR: Legend for example)
PPPS/ THey really need some more ads though.. its just the same 2 ads over and over...
Silver @ Jun 20th 2007 1:13AM
On laptops, two-finger right-click > two mouse buttons. Period. I hate using the right button on my HP laptop. I love using two-finger right-clicking on my MacBook. Tiny off-centered trackpads with a bunch of buttons just plain suck (and don't get me started on those ridiculous pencil-eraser pointer sticks).
And when are ignorant Windows users going to get over the tired "Macs only have one-button mice" horsecrap? The stupidity grows old. Step into the 21st century, folks.
samfish @ Jun 20th 2007 1:27AM
I use a Mac, and not only do I have a multi-button mouse...BUT IT ALSO HAS A TRACKBALL! And it *WORKS*, too!
HOLY SHIT EATIN' MARTIANS! IMAGINE THAT!
Poisoned Al @ Jun 20th 2007 3:03AM
A Mac is brilliant if you want to manipulate images or make movies or just to be a smug arsehole (no disrespect to those that use it for the former given uses, but the Mac seems to have cornered the pretentious wanker market). If you bought it to play games you might as well have flushed all your money down the toilet!
Burnt Meatloaf @ Jun 20th 2007 6:06AM
Intel only? Already?
Man, and then you hear all these Mac fans whining about HAVING to upgrade PCs every 6 months, or else you can't play any new games.
Pretty soon, all I'll be able to do with my Mac is test web code with Safari. Oh, wait... that's all I use it for right now.
Michael May @ Jun 20th 2007 3:30PM
Give it a non eye-bleedingly bad interface and i might be interested.
koopa @ Jun 21st 2007 5:14PM
And I'm so sure that everyone is still using the mouse & keyboard that came with their PC, right? Oh and you all, of course, are listening to the game audio through your creative labs $5 speakers that came with the pc too right? C'mon, I also use both PC and Mac (both with aftermarket mice, keyboard & speakers)and now with bootcamp, my PC has turned into an outdated (though only bout a year old), buggy, overpriced game console. Plus, anyone buying a mac solely for gaming just wants to spend money (try PS3) or just wants a good looking gaming rig (as opposed to the "vegas in a box" look of the neon lit gaming PCs w/ the obligatory alien somewhere).