Civ 5 for MAC

[adrianjohnmurph]

I know that Aspyr is the company porting Civ 5 to mac, but will the copy of Civ 5 that I purchased for PC on steam be available for the mac on steam when the mac version is released?

[DJ Thunder Face]

It's possible, but don't expect it. Aspyr has their own digital distribution platform and they have yet to support a single game with Steam Play.

Civ IV is the one exception because 2K kept the publishing rights. If that happens again then 2K may (and that's a big assumption) choose to do Steam Play again.

Also, where did you hear this confirmed? I have yet to see any announcement of a Mac version and since it's now SteamWorks this makes me really iffy on the idea that Aspyr would willingly do such a port.

EDIT: Nevermind the black text. Found it.

[adrianjohnmurph]

I read an article on shacknews that said an executive with Aspyr announced the mac version would be coming this holiday. I'll put the link below.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/66094

[diamondsami]

Here is some new info about it I think we will have SteamPlay here: http://blog.gameagent.com/2010/10/20/civilization-v-mac-faqs/

[adrianjohnmurph]

So if it works with steam then hopefully I don't have to purchase another copy.

[diamondsami]

yeah hopefully, and since they say it will have achievements it definitely will be on Steam with SteamPlay

[DJ Thunder Face]

Valve doesn't require SteamPlay on titles. It's just happened to be on every Mac title released so far. Your achievement list could simply have two copies of the game.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have SteamPlay as I run both OSes, but I always find being a pessimist in these situations usually prevents the looming disappoint. Better to have the rare pleasant surprise than constant let down.

[diamondsami]

I won't be disappointed if it's not coming on Steam, and I'm trilled that it will get released the next few months Steam or not Steam. And I don't see how a Mac game not being listed as SteamPlay. All the games are on Windows too. If it not going to be on Steam like SteamPlay, they won't put it on Steam at all it would be selling by other distributing services.

[DJ Thunder Face]

A game can be put on Steam and have a separate Mac and Windows version. The port of Civ V is not made by the same people who made the original version so money can be a factor.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/63793

[diamondsami]

That was corrected later, and for Civ 4 2k as far as I know still had some right about distribution, so that's why we say it on Steam and with SteamPlay. Still I don't see any reason why they should put it aside from SteamPlay since it supports SteamWorks.

[DJ Thunder Face]

What was corrected later?

Digital distribution wasn't big business back when Civ IV came out and Aspyr didn't keep the rights to the digital portion of publishing so 2K could make the decision to go SteamPlay. That will surely not be the case this time around. And there's a lot of money to be lost on their end for making it SteamPlay (Also the potential to make more, but it's not likely that would make up the difference.). Aspyr would much rather sell you a copy for more than the cost of a Windows copy of the game, not split the difference of a SteamPlay title and get no revenue from those who bought the game at launch.

[diamondsami]

from the article you posted:

[Update - 7:20pm CST] Those that previously bought Civilization IV and its expansions via Steam PC will now have free access to the games on Steam for Mac.

Anyway, there is no point in speculating is it going to be as SteamPlay or not. Time will show. For now we know it will require Steam (from Aspyr's blog):

What kind of DRM does Civilization V Mac use?
Civilization V uses Steamworks for DRM, multiplayer matching and achievements hosting.

What is Steamworks?
Civilization V Mac is a Steamworks game and you will have to activate your game with Steam. In order to access your game, you will need to install the Steam client and create an account. Upon account creation you will be able to verify your game with the serial number provided (either as part of your retail package or your download) and play the game.

I can't see that as only Mac title here on Steam. But like I said we have to wait and see.

[DJ Thunder Face]

Oh sorry, I was posting the article for the point where they mentioned that SteamPlay was optional. The whole point I was trying to make was that the possibility exists for it to not be SteamPlay despite it being a SteamWorks game. Some people here seemed to assume that to be a given. I didn't want anybody buying the game with that assumption.

[diamondsami]

I see your point. and I agree that Steamworks doesn't mean that will be on Steam or with SteamPlay, just like Supreme Commander 2. It uses Steam for online games, but you still have to buy it separately, even thought it gives you a key for a PC version on Steam. But we'll see when they release it. Now I'm waiting to see the system requirements for it. Hope my X3100 handle it a little better than in Windows (even though it would definitely be scratched as support for it) :)