Hi, could someone create a sticky page of all of the play options for Mac users?

So far, I'm aware of:

1. Mac OS X: Civ4 Vanilla, Civ4 Warlords
2. Boot Camp (PC versions): Civ4 Vanilla, Civ4 Warlords, Civ4 BTS
3. Paralells: ??
4. Fusion: ??
5. Steam: ??
6. Crossover: ??

I think a big chart detailing how/where to buy what type of format and how to use it (install instructions and such) would be helpful. For example, I understand buying Aspyr's versions and how to run them (obviously), and Boot Camp PC options (need full Windows XP and PC versions of Civ). But everything else, I'm unclear and have just picked up some unclear understandings about them through various forum posts. So, I'm requesting someone put together a comprehensive list :crazyeye:

Seconded. I think that would be a great sticky to keep dorks like me from making a bunch of duplicate posts. It could be updated as time goes by and people post in the sticky until we get a nice solid post.

ya exactly... I don't think I'm the only one that gets confused as to hearing people things like Fusion and Paralells and Steam and so on...

A simple summary as of today, based on reports I have seen in this and other forums:

Civ4 and Warlords for Mac, published by Aspyr, run on m ost Macs with discrete video hardware. Few fan-made mods run as they include custom DLLs which are not compatible. They run less well on most Macs with integrated graphics hardware. Whether you can live with the experience depends on your personal tolerance for slow software that is prone to crashes, and/or video stuttering or tearing - particularly on large maps and/or in the late game.

Beyond the Sword is not available as a Mac OS X native product, and may never be.

The current Windows versions of Civ4, Warlords and Beyond the Sword from any source can be run in Windows on Bootcamp, and should provide a Windows-native user experience, with full compatibility with mods, as long as you are happy to reboot your Mac into Windows to play them.

The current Windows versions of Civ4, Warlords and Beyond the Sword from Steam are reported to run in CrossOver Games, and are supported by the CrossOver publishers, CodeWeavers. You will probably suffer

The current Windows versions of Civ4, Warlords and Beyond the Sword on DVD can be run in Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion if you get the VM settings right, though the graphics performance will be inferior to native versions.

Is this what you are looking for? If so, it can go in the FAQ. I see no reason for a separate sticky just for this, as it seems most of the forum is about this, or changes to it as new hardware/software is released.

The current Windows versions of Civ4, Warlords and Beyond the Sword from Steam are reported to run in CrossOver Games, and are supported by the CrossOver publishers, CodeWeavers. You will probably suffer


The last sentence seems to be unterminated. :p

You're right, it doesn't have a full stop :p

Seriously, it should probably have said something like, "You will probably suffer some graphics performance degradation. CrossOver is NOT compatible with the DVD versions."

Yeap ... Newbe here (not above single player nobel yet, better @ civ 3,2,1). A suggested sticky page of "default" settings would be good. Any "default" OSX suggestions? Screen resolution for optimum performance, etc. And router type changes? change to wireless settings? etc.

Then of course, optimum team player setting in Civ IV that would help the soldier in the field or overload / team leader ... ? :mischief:

My sys= iMac w/ 2GRAM wireless to service provider over 802.11 A (:crazyeye: ... I killed my cable 4 years ago) ... playing Standard Civ 4 with 1.74 updates (finally) installed.

Also: anyone got a list of "known good" Mods for Mac OSX? Links?

(I seek a lesson, master ...)

You're right, it doesn't have a full stop :p

Seriously, it should probably have said something like, "You will probably suffer some graphics performance degradation. CrossOver is NOT compatible with the DVD versions."

No, I tried BTS + Civ 4 on crossover, the first way was right. :mad:

@FastEddy: Welcome ... but how many pieces of string would you like us to measure for you?

- Optimum Graphics settings are entirely dependent on what hardware you are running, how big the games you play are, and your personal threshold of pain for graphics imperfections.

- Your ISP config looks pretty non-standard to me, so you need to wait for someone with the same config to show up to help with that.

- I recommend the HoF Mod, as it helps you to manage a variety of information and alerts in a standard game - but then I'm biased.

- If you want mods that change the game play, then there's already a sticky thread in this forum that includes player experiences with various mods.

" ... Your ISP config looks pretty non-standard to me ..." ... Yes, it is, but I do get ~1.5 down and a solid 1 Meg up ... and only about once per week of grief from the wireless (mostly locals trying to horn in = hack the channels.)

Thanks BTW for the rest. (I've been in tech support for a couple of decades, so it is always refreshing to see a reply that is a) to the point(s) and b) not overly techie or hard nosed.

I guess all I really wanted of assurances that I wasn't biting off too big a taste of this multi-player scenario ... I seek a lesson, master = got game?