What's the big deal about Steam for Mac?

[akemsley]

I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Steam coming to Mac. Now that you can run Steam on Macs it doesn't mean NEW GAMES will be coming to the Mac that wouldn't have come otherwise (other than the small handful of games from Valve like TF2 that will come... eventually).

How is Steam for Mac any different than other direct-mac-game-download applications out there? It seems to only feature the same childish games that are already available for the Mac that those other applications also feature.

[akemsley]

and besides, what's with those stupid little casual games that nobody's heard of? Is there such a huge market for those games among Mac gamers and not PC gamers? When I think of computer games I think of GTA4 and CoD4 not Monkey freaking Island!

[LN3000]

This is a big deal.
This is could be the main key where other developers finally give the iMac the respect and attention it deserves.
Game developers will realize now that with Steam, they have a direct link to a massive consumer base, and perhaps they'll be more willing to do the extra work to provide a Mac version for any new PC games.

Fallout 3, Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2, Dragon Age,
Who is to say that other big-name games won't get pushed to the Mac now?

So stop trolling. :P

[FuuKuy]

STEAM for mac is just the beginning...


Major problem with mac and games has been always the lack of information. Yep, althought there's still plenty of games for mac, many many mac users don't even know about them.


STEAM is the major platform gaming in the PC-Windows industry. STEAM for mac means more gamers aware of new releases for their loved Mac OS X, it means easier acces to games, it means crossplatform gaming and even better, publishers more interested on developing games for mac, because STEAM helps to reach more consumers.

Think on STEAM for Mac as the APPStore for the iPhone. An easy new open windows for gamers.

[LN3000]

There's always a market for casual games, on any platform.

I don't need to remind you that it's only been a week since Steam for Mac has been launched.
Bigger games will come.
Just because one or two casual developers already had some Mac ports on hand and pushed those out, doesn't mean that represents the sole market on the Mac.

Trust me. Mac gamers demand the same kind of games that Windows people have been demanding.

[akemsley]

Game developers will realize now that with Steam, they have a direct link to a massive consumer base, and perhaps they'll be more willing to do the extra work to provide a Mac version for any new PC games.

How is Steam providing a direct link to Mac customers that other programs (like Mac Games Arcade) aren't doing already?

Not to be the pessimist, but what I'm saying is... judging from the lack of good games currently available for the Mac, obviously game developers don't even think that Steam-like applications for Mac that have been around for a while (or even the Apple retail stores for that matter!) are a big enough link to a massive consumer base, so why should they think any differently about Steam?

[jwylie15]

The above posters said it best:

1) Steam for Mac has only been out for a week. Indie game developers already had Mac versions of their games before Steam for Mac arrived, so that's why they are all that is available now. The bigger games will come in time.

2) Since Steam already had a very large community of gamers, adding Mac compatibility will add more gamers. Developers will see this and spend a little bit more time making their games Mac-compatible for a huge spike in their sales.

[pavi132]

I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Steam coming to Mac. Now that you can run Steam on Macs it doesn't mean NEW GAMES will be coming to the Mac that wouldn't have come otherwise (other than the small handful of games from Valve like TF2 that will come... eventually).

How is Steam for Mac any different than other direct-mac-game-download applications out there? It seems to only feature the same childish games that are already available for the Mac that those other applications also feature.

What is the purpose of this post? To complain about people's excitement?

[Goobacks]

How is Steam providing a direct link to Mac customers that other programs (like Mac Games Arcade) aren't doing already?

Never heard of it. But I've heard of Steam ;)

Remember, Steam is not the only part of the deal but Valve are also developing their games engine to OpenGL which has huge implications for future releases and developers plans. Makes life much easier.

Come on really, this announcement is even making Linux users excited ;)

[LN3000]

The difference is that Steam is a much larger and more prominent game-delivery system.

[akemsley]

What is the purpose of this post? To complain about people's excitement?

No. The purpose was to invite someone to enlighten me so I can be as excited as they are.

I'm almost there.

[Neotyguy40]

I have to ask the exact same question:

What's the big deal about Steam for Mac?

Although I ask it in a different context. What is the big deal about Steam for Mac that is getting fanboys angry at us? Whenever you see something new come out for Windows or Linux, no body gets upset or angry. Why is it that when something happens that is good for Mac, people always have to question it? What is the big deal about Mac users getting something?

When Steam for Linux comes out, I bet more people will be cheering then now, and almost no one will be asking these questions.

[Goobacks]

When Steam for Linux comes out, I bet more people will be cheering then now, and almost no one will be asking these questions.

Jealousy :cool: Anyone can own Linux :D

[d10sfan]

Its only been out for two weeks now. There are non-casual games on the store now and more are coming. Some people like those type of games as well.

[Neotyguy40]

Jealousy :cool: Anyone can own Linux :D

Ohh... Yea, I forgot.

And besides, wasn't it... Like 95% of all computers sold over $999 were Macs? I guess if people can afford it, then they get it.

Man, I am seriously going to be flamed against for this comment...

[akemsley]

well, I'm a Mac user myself so I'm not jealous of anything. just asking.

[sketch7]

Macs have historically been behind the curve in gaming thanks to the PowerPC chips, which meant it was a real pain to cross-develop or port games (serious coding required). That legacy carried on even after the change to Intel chips. Secondly, you'll be seeing a Linux version of Steam soon enough, as the Unix environment that Mac is built on should mean they've done a fair amount of coding already.

And the last thing that makes this important is simply that Apple's market share is growing - they're moving beyond being simply a machine for creative types and more into the mainstream/luxury end of the computer market.

So Steam for Mac is big; because Apple is getting bigger, and Steam is pretty big anyway. Especially with Valve stating they're going to make Mac OS a tier-1 release system.

[Tharanon]

How is Steam for Mac any different than other direct-mac-game-download applications out there? It seems to only feature the same childish games that are already available for the Mac that those other applications also feature.

As the SDK is gonna be released by Valve to other developers more developers might jump onto the Mac train and start producing games for it (as it makes it easier for them to do so)

[jrr]

How is Steam for Mac any different than other direct-mac-game-download applications out there?

For the user, there's arguably not much:

steamplay access to games I've already bought
integration with the existing Steam network all my friends use
crazy sales that I can't say "no" to


For the developer/publisher, it's huge:

developer (steamworks) features (http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/gameservices.php) - achievements, DLC, steam cloud, matchmaking, community, anti-cheat, auto-updating, sales data, DRM..
Many existing developers of cross-platform games already have Steam implemented into their windows build; the effort to add it to the Mac build should be small.
A huge existing audience - lots of Steam gamers own Macintosh computers, either as second machines or they've been dual-booting with Windows all along.
Steam is now a big fish in a little pond.. Macintosh owners looking for games will likely wind up here.

[akemsley]

As the SDK is gonna be released by Valve to other developers more developers might jump onto the Mac train and start producing games for it (as it makes it easier for them to do so)

Thank you! Now THAT'S something to be excited about! Ok I'm convinced now.

[jimmirock]

I only buy Mac computers but I use bootcamp for Steam, I'm excited because it's a big step in the right direction. Now the ball is in Apple's court to include better graphics hardware. Since I dualboot - this means better hardware for me too!
It's all rather good.

[wsippel]

and besides, what's with those stupid little casual games that nobody's heard of? Is there such a huge market for those games among Mac gamers and not PC gamers? When I think of computer games I think of GTA4 and CoD4 not Monkey freaking Island!
You're pretty much the perfect example for what's wrong today with PC gaming...


EDIT: When you think you're thinking of computer games, you're actually thinking of console games that just happen to be on PC as well. ;)

[releppes]

and besides, what's with those stupid little casual games that nobody's heard of? Is there such a huge market for those games among Mac gamers and not PC gamers? When I think of computer games I think of GTA4 and CoD4 not Monkey freaking Island!

The same question goes for Windows users. Why do you use Steam? Can't you just buy direct and install yourself? I've used Steam on Windows and have looked into other options for purchasing games on a Mac (ie: macgamesarcade). Nothing compares. Steam is the best. So when Steam came out for the Mac client with the policy of buy the game once and play anywhere, it was a dream come true.

As for your biased comments about casual gaming, it's just a matter of preference. Some day you'll grow up and realize you don't have time to play games all day. I've just recently explored the world of casual gaming and I love it. I'm looking forward to the Westward series coming to SteamPlay.

[releppes]

How is Steam providing a direct link to Mac customers that other programs (like Mac Games Arcade) aren't doing already?

Not to be the pessimist, but what I'm saying is... judging from the lack of good games currently available for the Mac, obviously game developers don't even think that Steam-like applications for Mac that have been around for a while (or even the Apple retail stores for that matter!) are a big enough link to a massive consumer base, so why should they think any differently about Steam?

You're wrong! Have you actually compared MacGamesArcade, SandlotGame, and BigFishGames to Steam? It's more than just buying games. Steam isn't just a storefront. It's a game management system. On top of that, have you checked prices? OK, Steam may be higher on some, but when Steam has a sale, nothing (I mean nothing) compares.

I have explored the other options, and I decided to wait for Steam on Mac. Biggest reason is that I buy once and own it on all platforms. That's not the case for the other systems. Why is that important to me? Well, I was a Windows user. I bought a MacBookPro because it has good hardware specs (ie: Nvidia 9400). Bang for the buck, a MacBook is a better deal than most Windows laptops. And no, I'm not a Apple fan boy. I still use Windows. Having the choice on which system I play on is a big plus.

[releppes]

I have to ask the exact same question:

What's the big deal about Steam for Mac?

Although I ask it in a different context. What is the big deal about Steam for Mac that is getting Hammer Legion Members angry at us? Whenever you see something new come out for Windows or Linux, no body gets upset or angry. Why is it that when something happens that is good for Mac, people always have to question it? What is the big deal about Mac users getting something?

When Steam for Linux comes out, I bet more people will be cheering then now, and almost no one will be asking these questions.

No, then you'll get people asking, "What's this Linux?"

[tbone2709]

Sorry... Don't diss monkey island! It is an awesome game, it may have a childish design, and may be a little archaic with the point and click, but it is a fantastic game, made by a developer who have been making serious games for a long time. Just because games have changed, it doesn't make the old style ones casual. And steam for mac is a big deal for me because I can play online with my PC owning friends which is awesome, and it means source games come to mac, and the games are native, not just cheap, rushed ports. They are also far cheaper through steam than buying a disc for mac.

[OmniGeno]

Sorry... Don't diss monkey island! It is an awesome game, it may have a childish design, and may be a little archaic with the point and click, but it is a fantastic game, made by a developer who have been making serious games for a long time. Just because games have changed, it doesn't make the old style ones casual.


Yeah, tbone. Geez, the Monkey Island series is such a legend in Mac and PC gaming that NO ONE should have to defend its honor. No matter what one's preference is in gaming, if one has a hint of knowledge about gaming's roots, one should look upon Monkey Island with reverence, and not mocking disdain.

I appreciate if one doesn't find the games to be their style, but ignorance based on seeing a name, a bunch of screenshots, and some videos is just saddening.

Monkey Island is not a "casual indie game". At least, not as a franchise it isn't.

As for why we are seeing games like Windosill, Caster, and Chains, it's like others have said. It's easier for the indie devs to bring their small games over to Steam(Mac) first. The service's presence on the Mac, as well as the availability of Valve's SDK will make it so that, well, to corrupt an oft-quoted movie line, "if you build it, they will come", "they" being the bigger developers. At least that's the plan.

[tbone2709]

Yeah, tbone. Geez, the Monkey Island series is such a legend in Mac and PC gaming that NO ONE should have to defend its honor. No matter what one's preference is in gaming, if one has a hint of knowledge about gaming's roots, one should look upon Monkey Island with reverence, and not mocking disdain.

I appreciate if one doesn't find the games to be their style, but ignorance based on seeing a name, a bunch of screenshots, and some videos is just saddening.

Monkey Island is not a "casual indie game". At least, not as a franchise it isn't.

As for why we are seeing games like Windosill, Caster, and Chains, it's like others have said. It's easier for the indie devs to bring their small games over to Steam(Mac) first. The service's presence on the Mac, as well as the availability of Valve's SDK will make it so that, well, to corrupt an oft-quoted movie line, "if you build it, they will come", "they" being the bigger developers. At least that's the plan.

Thank you :)

I would also like to point out that indie does not always equal casual, and would also like to point out that, having played Toki Tori (one of those ♥♥♥♥ casual indie games /sarcasm) it is a fantastic puzzler which requires thought, with bonus levels being released and hard levels on top of the standard game, it is well worth £3.49

[Kyle6477]

Steam for Mac gives developers easy access to the Mac fan base that was not available before.

Before Steam for Mac, it was (and still is in some cases) hard to get the word out to Mac users about games that were available for Mac. Two big reasons why this happened:


Only a limited amount of retailers carry Mac gaming products, and the selection is usually small (even at the Apple Store).
Mac users are not accustomed to paying for physical software media anyway. Majority of software purchasing and distribution for the Mac usually occurs over the internet (and has for some years now).Steam helps to nullify both of these obstacles by:


Presenting games to Mac users using a popular, well-known distribution platform
Giving users games through methods of which they are accustomed to acquiring software in the first place, direct downloads.
Eliminating or reducing the threat of these two obstacles presents game developers with an interesting market to which they now have easier access. Plus, recent developments in OS X (including the switch to Intel processors) makes it easier for developers to develop for the OS X platform.

[Vlad211]

This is a big deal.
This is could be the main key where other developers finally give the iMac the respect and attention it deserves.
I laughed (http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/CatLaugh.jpg)!

[tbone2709]

I laughed (http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/CatLaugh.jpg)!

If you don't care about steam for mac why are you posting in this part of the forum?

[tsukichan]

I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Steam coming to Mac. Now that you can run Steam on Macs it doesn't mean NEW GAMES will be coming to the Mac that wouldn't have come otherwise (other than the small handful of games from Valve like TF2 that will come... eventually).

How is Steam for Mac any different than other direct-mac-game-download applications out there? It seems to only feature the same childish games that are already available for the Mac that those other applications also feature.

It's not just about users.

Retail stores selling PC/Consoles games? HUGE NUMBER, even I do
Retail stores selling Mac games? Hell, only three in my whole country, four at most.
Users of Steam? Millions
Users of Steam buying PC games? Millions
Users of Steam buying Mac games? well, we'll see in the future, but of course, lot more availability than retail stores.

In resume.
Steam for Mac means BETTER and WIDER distribution to anyone that wants to create a game to Mac, and that means, BIGGER possibilities of doing games.

If it was my case, I would just develop a Mac version only to let Steam distribute it in ways no Mac retail store never before allowed me to do. Surely I'll get a lot of clients, indeed, with SteamPlay, I'll get paid the Mac version just with users buying the PC version :D

[Kyle6477]

It's not just about users.

Retail stores selling PC/Consoles games? HUGE NUMBER, even I do
Retail stores selling Mac games? Hell, only three in my whole country, four at most.
Users of Steam? Millions
Users of Steam buying PC games? Millions
Users of Steam buying Mac games? well, we'll see in the future, but of course, lot more availability than retail stores.



Valve reported recently (http://store.steampowered.com/news/3837/) that the Mac users accounted for 10% of Steam purchases since Steam for Mac was released.

So yeah. Lots of potential there.

[tsukichan]

Valve reported recently (http://store.steampowered.com/news/3837/) that the Mac users accounted for 10% of Steam purchases since Steam for Mac was released.

So yeah. Lots of potential there.

Unfortunately, "10%" is not an absolute, comparable with retail mac stores, value, however it's lot bigger that the only mixed (PC and Mac software) store I personally know data of (worked for them).

And in well, their number may be incorrect.

I bought the SEGA pack thru the Windows team client. How did the SteamPlay game included count?
PC user? Mac user? Both?

[harlequ1n]

How dare you compare Monkey Island to ♥♥♥♥ty games like Call of Duty, you childish fool.

[WolfyZack]

Like others have said, Steam for Mac is still new.
There's probably bigger companies (compared to Indie developers) with bigger games that are waiting on some solid numbers from Stream: how many Mac users did it bring in? How active are they? How much are they spending? How much is generated within the first week/month of a game becoming available? And tons of other stats to see... is it worth their investment of time and money to port the game over? (I'm of the opinion that yes, yes it is, but that's me as a Mac-owner.)
In a few months, and probably in about a year, maybe less, we'll probably be seeing bigger games and bigger names coming to Steam for Mac.

[M-P-3]

Steam = The Shizzle
Mac = The Shizzle

Steam+Mac = Double Shizzle

M-P-3

[Ninja0Pain]

How is Steam providing a direct link to Mac customers that other programs (like Mac Games Arcade) aren't doing already?

Not to be the pessimist, but what I'm saying is... judging from the lack of good games currently available for the Mac, obviously game developers don't even think that Steam-like applications for Mac that have been around for a while (or even the Apple retail stores for that matter!) are a big enough link to a massive consumer base, so why should they think any differently about Steam?

ok if you have a mac dont use it if you have a pc stop whining its happening regardless of your opinion.

[tbone2709]

Steam = The Shizzle
Mac = The Shizzle

Steam+Mac = Double Shizzle

M-P-3

what he said. It doesn't need to be any more elaborate than that ;)

[Vlad211]

If you don't care about steam for mac why are you posting in this part of the forum?
But I care about Valve working on more important things and Mac isn't one of them.

[d10sfan]

But I care about Valve working on more important things and Mac isn't one of them.

What you think is important and what is are two different things.

[WolfyZack]

Steam = The Shizzle
Mac = The Shizzle

Steam+Mac = Double Shizzle

M-P-3

WORD.

[joep1984]

No. The purpose was to invite someone to enlighten me so I can be as excited as they are.

I'm almost there.

Source games. On the Mac. Enough said.

[tkingart]

I applaud Valve for getting the ball rolling with the realization of quality gaming on OS X, and Blizzard for having brought World of Warcraft to Mac's. OS X has demonstrated that it is a more than capable gaming platform.

I hope that Apple is genuinely serious about OS X gaming now, enough to drive this momentum forwards, to further develop OpenGL and actually follow through with assisting Game Developers target OS X. The Mac community has been starved for AAA game titles, and I'm sure they will welcome such titles with strong sales.

[linuxcooldude]

Macs have historically been behind the curve in gaming thanks to the PowerPC chips, which meant it was a real pain to cross-develop or port games (serious coding required). That legacy carried on even after the change to Intel chips. Secondly, you'll be seeing a Linux version of Steam soon enough, as the Unix environment that Mac is built on should mean they've done a fair amount of coding already.

And the last thing that makes this important is simply that Apple's market share is growing - they're moving beyond being simply a machine for creative types and more into the mainstream/luxury end of the computer market.

So Steam for Mac is big; because Apple is getting bigger, and Steam is pretty big anyway. Especially with Valve stating they're going to make Mac OS a tier-1 release system.

Microsoft had a lot to do with its dominance on PC gaming, primarily DirectX. Right after introducing DirectX the Xbox came out also. I believe it was their way of keeping gaming primarily on Windows operating systems. If everything went openGL gaming could go to nearly any type of platform. At least now we will get more games & openGL developers for other platforms.

[heshoots]

and besides, what's with those stupid little casual games that nobody's heard of? Is there such a huge market for those games among Mac gamers and not PC gamers? When I think of computer games I think of GTA4 and CoD4 not Monkey freaking Island!

Stupid little casual games nobody has ever heard of. Monkey island is a classic and if there was no monkey island the gaming market wouldnt be like it is you should be respectful to games like that.

[heshoots]

Ohh... Yea, I forgot.

And besides, wasn't it... Like 95% of all computers sold over $999 were Macs? I guess if people can afford it, then they get it.

Man, I am seriously going to be flamed against for this comment...

75% of statistics are made up on the spot :D

[Gnargle]

Now that you can run Steam on Macs it doesn't mean NEW GAMES will be coming to the Mac that wouldn't have come otherwise

The thing is, it's the ease-of-use factor. Almost every PC developing company distributes via Steam and now that it's on Mac, there's a whole new sector of the market they can utilise. Of course new games will come.

[cheeseus]

You, sir, are an idiot (troll).

[Indamix]

With Steam for Mac, I think Steam is on its way to enter Linux world.

[Mistereveready]

I for one am glad that these games were released for mac. though i hate that some of the games (Braid/osmos/machinarium) were already purchased separately from steam already. but o well, they are good games and i dont mind supporting their developers.

but basically i turned my macbook from my programming rig to a programming and brain cell killing, addiction causing, carpal tunnel causing glow box. for that i am eternally grateful.

besides something about hearing glados makes me happy. mostly that i am not really the test subject >_>.

now if only i could get this for my linux laptop.

[DeadZombie]

1. You get Valve games.
2. It is one of the top Digital Distributions for Gaming on PC's (PC as in Computer opposed to console).

Have you seen the shelves for PC gaming? It's dead. Since this leads in gaming sales.....That's not enough?

As for "Moer Gamez" this isn't up to Valve at all. They are already committed to porting over their games, and have started to do so. They have no say in what Bioware/Bethesda/Whoever does.

They may own steam that sells the games, but they don't say what OS they support.

[Molexz]

It would be really nice when Steam will be released on the most known OSs which are going to make people to buy PCs as thing to daily tool for games and work.

Imo PCs are more "flexible" in this categories and if this could be available for each game or the most popular, this will make people to have possibility of broader choice to buy games on PCs (without any depend on their OSs) and in consequence their sale may rise, but this is connected with more work to develop games for programmers and there should be one platform or something which would makes easily possibility in sharing games for each OSs - and I mean that may be Steam.

[Forrest GIMP]

and besides, what's with those stupid little casual games that nobody's heard of? Is there such a huge market for those games among Mac gamers and not PC gamers? When I think of computer games I think of GTA4 and CoD4 not Monkey freaking Island!

Are you not aware of the importance of Monkey Island in PC gaming?

CoD4 (a console port) is true PC gaming to you?

Jesus...

[trin746]

Hey guys, I'm an idiot. I think Monkey Island is a casual game. Do you guys like me yet?

[fakiyo]

Indie titles noone heared about?

To be honest, only people with no idea about PCs know about the "big" titles and buy them (rip off) COD MW, and stuff, GTA... I don'T say those games are bad, I only say: With so many millions of dollars and big greedy publishers (I'm looking at you, EA) it's easy to make games that sell, even if they're not THAT good quality compared to their sales. (MW)

I don'T even buy the big titles anymore. Look at mafia - ok, no indie game per se but noone heared about those east EU devs and suddenly it was a HUGE success. Look at killing floor, "worse" than L4D in case of quality, still a hit and many people (myself included) love and play it longer than L4D.
Look at Trine.
Look at ACE team and their ZENO CLASH - I have yet to see a game with THIS awesome setting.
Look at World Of Goo - 2 people made a game so incredible it puts MW and similar to shame.
Look at Plain Sight
Audiosurf
Braid
Call of Juarez (first one)
Darwinia
Osmos
Portal
Toki Tori


Screw those big titles, I'm not going to pay 50 bucks for a publisher firing their devs, ripping off good series (Sims, COD, Battlefield and others).
I had more fun with indie games in the last year and didn'T even consider to buy a "big" title. Those are always the same. Battle in world war X, defend earth against some aliens and be a hero... All indie titles had way more interesting game ideas in case of story, soundtrack (<3 WoG), gameplay... everything.
GTA, CoD and others - all the same.

I see the new Mac front as a very good thing. More gamers together, more games for the PC, more for the MAC. A win win situation.