Half-Life 2 on the Mac? Give Valve one million dollars!
by Christopher Grant 
{ Oct 6th 2007 at 7:29PM }
In a recent Kikizo interview, Valve's Gabe Newell plants the blame for the absence of a Mac release of Half-Life 2 – and, indeed, most games – squarely on Apple's shoulders. On the other hand, Inside Mac Games' Tuncer wants you to know that it's never that simple; he explains that while it's true Apple met with Newell and nothing ever came it, it isn't because Apple couldn't stay focused (although we don't doubt that for a minute) but rather because of "Valve's insistence that anyone who wanted to port Half-Life 2 to the Mac had to advance $1 million to Valve." In the scrappy world of Mac OS X porting, a meeeeelyun bucks is understandably hard to come by ... up front.
That said, Apple's lack of focus on gaming remains a fundamental weak spot in their consumer strategy (let's not even talk Apple gaming consoles), but we're hopeful that as companies continue to adopt new technologies like Cider, Mac users will at least be able to enjoy smash hits like Half-Life 2 (if nothing else). Ah well, thank Freeman for Boot Camp.
Read – One Million Reasons Why Half-Life 2 Isn't on the Mac (IMG)
Read – Gabe Newell on the Mac platform and Apple (Kikizo)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
D. Axel @ Oct 6th 2007 7:47PM
lol the words "games" and "mac" were used in the same sentence.
blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Oct 6th 2007 7:49PM
nice pic
Guybrush Threepwood (Sega Defense Force - Infallibility Ring) @ Oct 6th 2007 8:04PM
*Snickers*
One million dollars is basically nothing these days. Valve should ask for... ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS.
Crazylink @ Oct 6th 2007 8:11PM
What's the point? Most Mac gamers probably either use Boot Camp or have a dedicated gaming PC.
Michael @ Oct 6th 2007 8:38PM
Yeah, with Boot Camp, most newer Macs can run it with XP or Vista. I'm on the Mac side right now, but just got finished playing Team Fortress 2 with Vista with my MacBook Pro. It plays beautifully.
Crazy Vincent @ Oct 6th 2007 8:39PM
I don't blame Valve. If they are going to spend time supporting someone while a port is completed, they want some reassurance that the project will be followed through. Getting some cash up-front is one way to make sure that happens, and if it flounders then at least they won't suffer because of it.
Paul Gandersman @ Oct 6th 2007 8:40PM
ummmmmmmmm i thought that the orange box wasn't coming out on PS3 till Nov. 13th...... did this change? if so YAY :) if not .... why you lie to me???!!! :(
Christopher Grant @ Oct 6th 2007 8:56PM
Right you are! I updated the post.
Kane @ Oct 6th 2007 8:42PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCd5CQB914w - check it out, aparently codeweavers crossover runs halflife 2 and team fortress 2 at native speed with no windows install or partition... all inside osx?!
Scott @ Oct 6th 2007 8:48PM
Do it, anyone..
John @ Oct 6th 2007 8:50PM
Yeh rich boys, Do it.
kilodelta @ Oct 6th 2007 8:56PM
i hope it comes out. those apple users must be getting frustrated that this weeks game releases for the mac are 3 different versions of Sodoku
Justin @ Oct 6th 2007 9:39PM
"no on" plays Mac games eh?
rokobungi @ Oct 6th 2007 10:19PM
macs will be good for gaming as soon as apple stops soldering the graphics cards into the lower end machines.
Umgawa @ Oct 7th 2007 4:27AM
Actually, the latest integrated Intel chipsets really aren't that bad, as everything from the X3000 and up are (pixel) Shader Model 3.0 compliant, which is more than I can say for the AGP card I've got in my Windows box right now. Unfortunately, they haven't been implemented on the Mac platform as yet, which basically leaves the Mac mini and the Macbook out in the cold, as far as games go. The dedicated graphics chipsets on the Macbook Pro and iMac (courtesy of Nvidia and ATI) aren't half bad, unless you're one of those people who has to upgrade, upgrade, upgrade until you realize that any further upgrades you make will be marginal at best, with regard to performance increases. And if you're one of those people, you're probably better off rebuilding your beige box every twelve months, anyway.
But I digress.
Until Apple builds the GMA X3100 or X3500 series of Intel integrated chipsets into the Macbook and Mac mini motherboards, the entry-level Mac market will continue to be a joke for game publishers, as noted by the fact that the Mac releases of the current editions of Tiger Woods and Madden require a dedicated graphics chipset (and therefore an iMac, Macbook Pro, or Mac Pro). I can't say how much of this, though, is due to the fact that Tiger Woods and Madden are being implemented in OS X through Cider, as opposed to natively coding the games for OpenGL compatibility. This, of course, means that the games are feeding Direct3D code to an interpreter, which then translates the code into something OS X can understand, causing a fairly massive performance hit over coding the game for OpenGL compatibility in the first place, which I'm fairly certain is how Blizzard has been managing to get games to run on the Mac and be competitive with PC's with equivalent hardware.
I've said this before, of course, and it continues to be my opinion that developers' addiction to DirectX creates a never-ending cycle of late releases (if ever) to the Mac, thus diluting any potential that the Mac has as a gaming platform. While Cider is a step forward in decreasing the amount of time it takes to port a game to the Mac (from a year or more down to a few months), the necessary translation of code via Cider represents a draw on the CPU that would better be used for game functions, were the game initially coded for maximum compatibility, as noted by games from id Software and Blizzard.
In short, it's partially Apple's fault, which can partially be remedied sometime within the next several months with a significant chipset update. However, it's also the fault of the developers for worshipping at the dark altar that is DirectX. But at least it's got to make Xbox 360 ports easy to do, and we all know that's where the money is, at least for the *ahem* "hardcore gamer." ... Of course, we won't let the hardcore gamer look at hardware sales charts, because it will only make him sad. But perhaps that's a clue as to where gaming on the Mac might as well go. There's money to be had in casual gaming.
BananaBoat @ Oct 6th 2007 10:26PM
I love it how the tables have turned, now that bootcamp and parallels are out for the Mac. Before Bootcamp and Parallels came out, all the Mac nuts swore that they'd never use a Windows OS, and then the second they could use one, they did. That's real loyalty if I've ever seen it.
If you want to play games, buy XP (or Vista...I guess). That's about all you need to know.
A Poster on this here Blog @ Oct 6th 2007 10:41PM
Seriously. Every time there's a Mac only app that PC users want, it's "Get a Mac then," but when something comes out for PCs only, it's whining and complaining. I can't wait until the maclots find a way to link this to "MiKKKro$oft"
Mr Khan @ Oct 7th 2007 6:07PM
Well, thats the joy of the Windows monopoly
Its a great comparison to the 3rd generation of consoles:
Windows is NES: Everyone has it, everyone builds for it, and often only for it, if you want to associate with civilized society, you get one
Mac is Master System: Some people have it, and swear its better than the other thing. You can get by with it, but you miss out on sooo much
Linux is Atari 7800: you buy this, you are not part of civilized society, you may as well go and stick your head in the sand, or live under a rock (even though i prefer Linux, once i finally get my own PC, i'll have it in a dual-boot kinda thing with Vista)
The ZeroCorpse @ Oct 7th 2007 12:23AM
@ BananaBoat
Look, man, it's like this: Yeah, I boot into Windows XP to play a few games. But the difference is that I ONLY use Windows XP to play games. I wouldn't attempt to use it to get any of my work done, or surf the Internet, or even trust it with my music collection or photos. I used to build and do tech support for PCs, and I know my way around them better than most people, and after switching to Mac in 2004, I don't consider Windows worth the risk for anything- y'know- IMPORTANT.
But games? Sure. Why not? They're just games.
I don't boot over to Windows often... it's getting so I won't have to, first of all (EA games on Mac, and Crossover lets me play Windows games without needing Windows at all) and second, I have an XBox 360 and love it. It's much better playing games on a dedicated platform, as Windows XP is a pain in the ass, even on a Mac.
And for your information, the "Mac nuts" never "swore" they wouldn't use a Windows OS. Most of us are former Windows users, and a lot of us are former Winders tech support people, and we have used Windows plenty. In fact-- Using Windows is what drove me to Mac OS X.
I know, I know... Mac bashers get some sort of buzz off of insulting someone else's choice of computer. You go, girl. Don't let me kill your buzz. Enjoy.
As I've said before, I wonder if somewhere else on the Internet there's a Dishwasher geek site where the Whirlpool users spend all their time slinging insults at the Maytag users.
I mean-- Yay! You like your computer better than you like mine! Good for you, kid. You roll with that.
SeriousKriss @ Oct 7th 2007 5:03AM
"I know, I know... Mac bashers get some sort of buzz off of insulting someone else's choice of computer. You go, girl. Don't let me kill your buzz. Enjoy."
Are you kidding? All those Macs VS PC ads are exactly that : insulting PC users because they somehow made the "wrong" choice.
Ignatius @ Oct 7th 2007 5:19AM
I like this little handle here... it's so you can use it as a BOAT ANCHOR!
Will @ Oct 7th 2007 5:44AM
I'm confused. Why is it that Mac users always have their Windows computers explode and spout disasters, but I've been using Windows for years without issue? My last computer, a latpop, I had for over a year and a half and the only reason I needed to reformat was because I sold it. It ran as nicely, if not nicer, than when I first got it, and never gave me issues. You claim you wouldn't even use a PC for internet browsing, but I say why not? Firefox is safer and faster than Safari, and runs faster on PC than on Mac. Seriously, just explain to me why you, a supposed PC tech support guy, have constant issues and I do not.
Also, you stated: "It's much better playing games on a dedicated platform, as Windows XP is a pain in the ass, even on a Mac." I was just wondering.. is there some reason you said that? Is there some magical quality about your white plastic and inferior graphics cards that would make XP run magically better for you than on a real PC? If anything, it should run worse since there's kinks and bugs once in a while in boot camp. You confuse me.
Finally, you said: "I know, I know... Mac bashers get some sort of buzz off of insulting someone else's choice of computer." That's the most confusing of all. You say this after comments such as "I don't consider Windows worth the risk for anything- y'know- IMPORTANT." and "Windows XP is a pain in the ass" and "Using Windows is what drove me to Mac OS X." Your double standards and hypocrisy further drives me to confusion.
Au @ Oct 8th 2007 3:55AM
You just got pwned by Will, Zero Corpse. You got "Phoenix Wright"-ted in the face.
ooda @ Oct 7th 2007 12:43AM
Bah, I don't get the big demand for Mac gaming. The way consoles are these days, it's the smarter choice to get one of them for gaming, and a Mac/PC for everything else. I know, some games are PC exclusive (strategy especially, including the series responsible for many of my sleepless nights - Civilization), but consoles have really caught up (if not surpased).
If more Mac games were created, remember, a large portion of the Apple market would not be able to really play them - Macbook buyers. Macs are great machines (I'm loving my iMac and my Macbook), but until Apple starts putting in some hardware that could actually play games well, there's no point them bending over backwards to get developers onto the platform.
That said, if Apple really does want to get in the game, getting Valve on their side would do a hell of a lot of good.
gir @ Oct 7th 2007 12:59AM
I made the 200th comment.
I win the internet!!!
gir @ Oct 7th 2007 1:02AM
Noooooooooooooo, I commented in the wrong article.
I meant to comment on the "Why the PS3's lack of backwards compatibility is upsetting" article.
I lose the internetz. I'm teh loser );
fester @ Oct 7th 2007 1:43AM
ORANGE on a MAC- chugchugchugchugchugchugchugchugchugchugchug. ORANGE on 360- hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. lol
fullbleed @ Oct 7th 2007 2:04AM
Are you kidding me?!!
1 mil is nothing to Apple. Front da money and give OS X users a grade A title!
Arturo @ Oct 7th 2007 2:23AM
"But games? Sure. Why not? They're just games."
I think you're in the wrong place then, lol...
AlexP @ Oct 7th 2007 3:18AM
Cider is an overrated piece of shit that provides the same performance levels as Vista.
It sucks, really... Sometimes game won't even boot (coming from a guy with a new 24" iMac).
Andreas Tellefsen @ Oct 7th 2007 6:27AM
One million is a ridiculous amount for such a small platform. But hey, I play my HL2 in Boot Camp so no worries :)
ThornedVenom @ Oct 7th 2007 6:45AM
Mac gamers, learn from the Linux/Open Source gamers: make a website and make a donation bin. That's the closest you'll get to anything because nobody else really cares about you.
Ian Murray @ Oct 7th 2007 8:33AM
I cringe every time I see a Joystiq post about anything Mac-Related. It brings out the most shallow-minded comments.
Not to mention the "LOL, ______ and Mac used in the same sentence" people.
2kings @ Oct 7th 2007 9:25AM
pc...mac's
time to chooooooooooose
Bruce @ Oct 7th 2007 10:39AM
haha apple gaming console... OS X-Box ftw!
Quix @ Oct 7th 2007 11:42AM
Even Bootcamp is worthless until Apple starts putting some decent 3-D accelerators in its consumer line of computers. Or better yet, releases a consumer-grade tower with a replaceable graphics card.
The new iMacs are a major disappointment in the "3-D Gaming Potential" department.
rellik_san @ Oct 8th 2007 6:57AM
Well lets look at it this way, the main reason gaming on macs sucks, is because they can only support Apple approved hardware, not allowing for anywhere near the levels of tailor making a PC has.
By the way, again, PC owner for years, my first PC was a Packard Bell peice of shit, my current PC I've had for about 7 years (upgraded it as and when obviously) and never had a problem with it. I also use my PC for image editing, I find it much more intuitive then a mac. Just personal preference really, don't get me wrong, I think we can all agree the windows OS sucks, but its the universally compatible with everything ever. So with the billions of hardware combinations, its going to be much harder to work out kinks and bugs.
So remember kids, there 5 ways to do something on a PC.
Theres only one way to do it on a mac and thats the Apple way.
And Knowing is half the battle.
exit stencil @ Oct 8th 2007 5:18PM
I have no problem playing this on my 360.
I do, however, play WoW and have played Starcraft and Doom 3 on my Mac.
So almost "no on" games on their Mac.