OpenGL 3 and Mac

[Paddington]

I read with interest about the release of OpenGL 3. Many folks seem to be disappointed that it didn't go far enough. That said it does seem to be an improvement over the current aging technology, and is at least on par with the current Direct X.

When do you think we'll start to see new gaming titles on Mac that take advantage of OpenGL 3? Drivers?

 

[silverpig]

Mac will have to have a larger marketshare really. The nice thing for developers about making games for Macs is because the hardware is limited to certain combinations, it would almost be like making a game for a console. The developers could have every model of Mac in house, test the game on all of them, and ship it knowing it works. With windows PCs there is just too much variability to ensure compatibility with every hardware combination.

Also, Apple will have to want to support it. Right now MS pays game developers a lot of money to use directx exclusively and thus tie their game to windows. If Apple started helping out a few gaming companies with funding to produce OpenGL/OpenAL based games, they would do it, but Apple has to want it first.

 

[scootermaster]

OpenCL is going to be in the iPhone, apparently. That, plus the already expanding base of iPhone [game] developers should help push Apple gaming.

 

[sourceninja]

The future of osx games right now seems to be using cider to port windows games to mac. That is the route EA is taking. It's lame and not native, but it works well enough.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Originally posted by: sourceninja
The future of osx games right now seems to be using cider to port windows games to mac. That is the route EA is taking. It's lame and not native, but it works well enough.

It makes sense though. Having a whole team devoted to porting to a Mac can be expensive and sales won't ever be up there with PC games. But this will help.

 

[Paddington]

Interesting what's been the performance hit with Cider?

It's surprising that that's the move they would take given that more people than ever before (and especially folks with disposable income) are using Mac computers in their homes.

I suppose it's better than nothing. But if Apple wants to be a serious competitor they need to be serious about games like Microsoft is.

 

[sourceninja]

Honestly, I only own 1 game that uses cider (spore) and it runs acceptably on my macbook pro. I have given up on computer games. I play a few on my xbox 360 and wii. Other then that I'm slowly becoming a guy who doesn't play games.

I have however become more addicted to sports. Tending to go out and run, lift weights, judo, bjj, mauy thai, hiking, etc. And I've actually started to do those projects I've been putting off for years. Like learning to play the piano.