Looks interesting, a good step toward supporting Greyhawk at least. Such a cool module...
The Temple of Elemental Evil Video Game
Thought I'd post it here for those of you that haven't yet seen it.
Who knows maybe Greyhawk could be completely revived. But don't get your hopes up just yet. Check out the product it actually looks pretty good.
Am actually playing in ToEE using 1e at moment and loving every minute of it. Lucky me.
Gnal
Aelios: As a MAC consumer/promoter myself If the game is popular in the PC market then it will be moved to the MAC. Much like the numerous other titiles out there that have finally (albeit 6-8 months later) made thier way to the Macintosh format. So well just have to hang on
However there is a rare instance where a manufacturer/distributer will pull off a simultaneous release. For intance EA games released Madden 2000, 2001 simultaneously. Lucas Arts released Star Wars Pod Racer to Mac the same day as the PC.
There have also been a couple of rarities where a game was released for the MAC first. Ever since the release of the "Blue box" G3 power Macs, and the subsequent G4's, and now G5's gaming manufacturers have been impressed with the Mac's gaming capabilities, and several companies have signed deals to release MAC first games. This was one of Steve Job's primary concerns pre G4. He invited to names in game design to tell him what was wrong with MAC. The almost beat him yto death. Hence th release of the G# Power Mac with the 128bit graphics card standard....just been getting better since.
However, the restriction above is still the same, most companies will go with the "Safe" PC bet first. Troika will be no different.
Bottom line. Wait for a secondaryMac friendly company to sublet the Liscense next year.
But I'm also tired of waiting six months to a year for games to MAYBE come to the Mac. Hopefully by the time this game comes out, I'll have built my LAN PC, especially for playing NWN and any other games that happen along that I like enough to actually buy (which is pretty rare anyway).
And as a Mac owner for the last six years and a Mac user for many years before that, I have to say that it has nothing to do with whether or not the systems could run the games and everything to do with PC bias. There was never an economic reason not to make games for the Mac. There was, however, incentives to make games for the PC from Intel and MicroSoft, something that Apple never stooped to; perhaps they should have.
If Apple had decided earlier to advance themselve into the latter half of the 20th century they might not be in the shape thy're in market wise. Apple decided to continue to sell to their niche market of loyal Apple owners, and not develop a product that would attract the new PC (Personal Computer, not meaning IBM compatible) user. The whole of the computing industry still has memories of the "Performa", it was a dog. Slow cumbersom and couldn't even upgrade the memory without a headache.
As for the economics of Software Releases on the MAC. Well I have spoken to many a game developer who reiterated what I had stated above. Most of the game designers love the idea of the MAC, but also need to make their money. So it's PC first. At least untill all us MAC users rise up and make the IBM/PC using world realize what their missing.
Originally posted by Gnarley_Woodsman
Well, I have to diagree. the old "beige box" G3's, and "Power Pc's" were not able to handle the more advanced graphics software let alone games. The front side bus was way to slow and the procesor choked on larger applications. Just running Photoshop was a chore.
I beg to differ. Firstly, you can't even get your naming conventions right. All current Macs, and those for many years, use Power PC chip architecture. It is a chip development strategy that Apple adopted in partnership with IBM and Motorola that includes a roadmap to take the platform well into the next ten or so years.
Having worked, and played, on the 'beige box' G3 professionally and otherwise, I can heartily scoff at your accusation that they couldn't handle the latest software or games. I was running the latest software and games on them and they ran just as well as they did on any PC.
I also owned the previous incarnation of the PowerPC (PPC), and can tell you that it ran games and apps quite well, even up to Baldur's Gate. It's currently acting as my firewall and internet gateway/mp3 jukebox/TV.
Originally posted by Gnarley_Woodsman
If Apple had decided earlier to advance themselve into the latter half of the 20th century they might not be in the shape thy're in market wise. Apple decided to continue to sell to their niche market of loyal Apple owners, and not develop a product that would attract the new PC (Personal Computer, not meaning IBM compatible) user. The whole of the computing industry still has memories of the "Performa", it was a dog. Slow cumbersom and couldn't even upgrade the memory without a headache.
Aside from the comment regarding the memory... what a load of ROT! You strike me as just one more of the many PC users who spout the same half-truths and gibberish to each other until they become 'fact' through simply being repeated ad nauseum throughout PC channels.
During the time you claim that Apple had slow and cumbersome computers, they were beginning to dominate the chip market in terms of performance. It is only due to Motorola's phenomenal incompetance that over the last two years there has developed what's commonly referred to as the 'GHz gap'. Yet despite this, the Power PC (yes, that's right, that's what it's called, lookie that, you learn something new every day!) has kept pace despite being many MHz behind. That says a LOT for the architecture and now that IBM has taken over production of the chips, there will be no more Motorola screw-ups that delay production. Prepare to see the PowerPC go so far ahead of anything Insmell can produce that by the time they follow in Apple's tracks, the dust will have already settled from Apple's passing.
x86 is on it's last legs. There is only so much blood you can squeeze out of a 30 year old technological stone. AMD realize this, which is why they've developed a technology sharing agreement with Apple and IBM. In ten years time, there will be no Intel.
Originally posted by Gnarley_Woodsman
As for the economics of Software Releases on the MAC. Well I have spoken to many a game developer who reiterated what I had stated above. Most of the game designers love the idea of the MAC, but also need to make their money. So it's PC first. At least untill all us MAC users rise up and make the IBM/PC using world realize what their missing.
So now you're buddy-buddy with games developers? You've gone from selling computers in a store to being 'in the biz'. I know software developers too. I go to several computer forums, both Mac and PC as well as chatrooms and the common consensus (among Mac developers) is that money can be made from Mac games. Are you trying to tell me that this isn't the case? If not, then where is the argument not to create games for the Mac?
I'll tell you where the argument is. It's in the hearts and minds of PC users who are misinformed bigots who are too small-minded to think for themselves and simply follow the herd. Unfortunately, they're also software developers on the dominant platform.
It's like a Catch-22. They put forth the notion that Mac games don't make money (or don't perform as well) and so they don't make them and so less people buy Mac's because there's less games on the Mac. Time to break through the BS I say. But then, I've been fighting that battle ever since I bought a Mac, six years ago (and yes, it was a Performa!). I've given in and I'll be building a PC system specifically to play NWN and the other RPG's via LAN and broadband. Of course, I'll still use my two Macs (blue & white G3) for everything else, since using a PC for anything substantial makes my head hurt... mostly from bashing it against the wall in frustration and tearing my hair out
In any event, my point in this conversation was to convey that there is some hope of equality in the future. But not yet. MAC has come a long way. I hope it continues. Now if you have nothing more constructive to do, say something on topic.
I thing that the Temple of Elemental evil will be popular enough to make it to Macintosh, and for those of us who cannot wait we can try it on Virtual PC, or PC MAC LAN software emulators.
Good Gaming
Originally posted by Delglath
Having worked, and played, on the 'beige box' G3 professionally and otherwise, I can heartily scoff at your accusation that they couldn't handle the latest software or games.
Agreed. I never complained about the speed at which Photoshop performed, until the next version was released or new Macs came out, at which point complaining would have been perceived as whining.
now that IBM has taken over production of the chips, there will be no more Motorola screw-ups that delay production.
The G5 is going to put a lot of people's worries to rest, especially when 10.3 arrives. IBM is already simultaneously developing the Power5 and 980, so that dual 3 GHz Mac may arrive sooner than later.
I've given in and I'll be building a PC system specifically to play NWN and the other RPG's via LAN and broadband.
NWN is now shipping for OS X, you know.
Aeo
My Apples: Apple II+, Apple IIgs, Mac Quadra 900, PowerMac 8500, PowerMac G3 (blue), PowerMac G4
My Wife's: PowerMac G4 (a new convert)
My Son's (now 9): Powerbook 5300cs, iMac DV, iBook
My Daughter's (now 5): iMac DV
Household: iMac (bondi), iBook (clamshell), iMac (tilt-screen)
Originally posted by Gnarley_Woodsman
Delglath, do you have a problem?
Yes.
Originally posted by Gnarley_Woodsman
Now as far as my reference to the "Power PC" , yes I know that the current line is based on the same architecture. My naming convention is not incorrect. The units that were produced at the end of the performa line, and before the G3 was released were referred to as "Power PC's" whereas the others had other monikers.
Eeeehhh! Wrong!
They're all PowerPC's. They've been PowerPC's, IIRC, ever since the introduction of the 601 processor, based on RISC architecture. No model was ever specifically referred to as a PowerPC machine. There were, however, Power Macintosh's, of which my 6500/300 is one.
Originally posted by Gnarley_Woodsman
I thing that the Temple of Elemental evil will be popular enough to make it to Macintosh, and for those of us who cannot wait we can try it on Virtual PC, or PC MAC LAN software emulators.
Gaming through Virtual PC... oh, now I *know* you're on drugs :P
Aeolius, have you ever considered converting those wonderful Apple II's into fishtanks? They make great doorstops too... :D
In any case oh well. Its gonna be a good game and I hope it makes to MAC.
Originally posted by Delglath
Aeolius, have you ever considered converting those wonderful Apple II's into fishtanks?
I sold my II+ to my college roommate after I got my IIgs. I donated my IIgs to a local school. And besides, a "Macquarium" is too small for use as a saltwater tank. :D
Originally posted by airwalkrr
It's amazing how no matter what the topic, no matter what the board, if any reference is ever made to Macs or PCs being preferred over the other then the original topic is instantly forgotten as all and sundry lunge into a heated debate over which is superior.
I know which platform is superior
Granted, I also know I'll be waiting for a bit, should I wish to pick up a computer game adaptation of ToEE. Perhaps they'll release it for Gamecube/X-box/N64, as I tend to focus my game-buying dollars there.