Al Schilling, of MacSoft, is on the Gamesome Mac tonight (9pm EST).

http://www.macradio.com/monday/

I couldn't hear a thing, only could barely follow in the chat room. The gest is that the editor is "on the way" and MoO3 on the shelves in two weeks. Anyone get more detail?

Dang. I missed it entirely, I was going to ask you.

It does look like you can access the Monday interview on Tue-Sat, though, so I'll be checking back there tomorrow. Maybe if it's on file, it'll sound better, too.

Missed it too. Anyway, isn't the whole atmosphere around MacSoft so much more 'can do' now that mis-Infogrames have left the building? Brad's recent posts indicate that Al and the folks are able to make things happen much quicker.

Okay, I slogged through the interview and got to the Al Schilling bit on the Gamesome Mac. Here are some of the tidbits:
*MoO3 Mac is in final candidate. "It's on his desk."
*NWN is close but having video driver issues. They're working with ATI and Radeon to resolve the issues.
*They'll be bringing at least 10 titles to the Mac this year.

From the submitted questions:
* Destineer is not owned by Microsoft, they just have right of first refusal for porting games. And nothing against MS, of course.

* The NWN toolset is still dead. Too much moolah to port it (it's actually a bigger job to port the toolset than the actual game). If it was just a year, they might go ahead, but they can't afford to put a year into it only to find out that it would take an additional six months to a year.
Also, at the moment, because of no support for 3D cards in VPC, they won't put the PC version of the toolset on the CD. If you have other, more optimistic experience (you try it and it works), they'd love to hear it. Feel free to email macsoftgames@mac.com (they're still exploring the issue).

* Also looking at OS X versions (carbonizing) some of the "softer" games previously released, such as Monopoly (which my wife was personally happy about). They actually touched on this twice, going more in depth later in the interview, with Al saying some of the games can't simply be ported over because there are licensing issues (Monopoly leaps to mind). It usually involves permissions and paying the original rights holder a little more money -- Al has no problem with that if it makes good business sense (he says he's looking forward to "mining the old MacSoft catalog").

* They're looking at porting NWN expansions, but that's not a promise. Not a huge problem in the program itself, but the installers are EXE files and would have to be converted.

* They're working "feverishly" on the MacSoft website... and they're painfully aware that the site hasn't been touched in 3 or 4 months.

* Peter has more or less bet his company on the future of the Mac. Let's go out and buy some games, eh?

* Dojoboy got his questions asked (and thanks for asking, man). In order of answering:
-MoO3 could be in duplication "within a week"... which dates it to next Monday. That would put it on the shelves in the latter part of this month. (Good thing I saved that CompUSA Christmas gift certificate)
-Like Brad mentioned, the help files have been an issue to convert (they didn't come "ported"), but that's just about finished. The editor should be posted either by the end of this week or early next week. They'll try to get it posted at the big Mac gaming sites because their own website is still in a coma, though he didn't name a specific site. From the sound of it, it will be everywhere.

* Unreal Tournament... probably not going to be be ported (though Westlake has a done a phenomenal job on it and the beta is probably still available on their website). Why? Because UT 2003 is probably going to move most people away from UT.

* Mac OS9 isn't dead yet, but for AAA game titles, OpenGL is a big issue. OS9 may as well be dead.

* MacSoft will probably keep their porting to out-of-house programmers. Their in-house talent is primarily concerned with building their 3D engine, so ports will continue to be offered to programming houses like Westlake ("they have a close relationship" and "they do wonderful work." Kudos to you, Brad) and some other companies like Varcon (or at least their programming talent) and a few others.

* Peter Tampte is a new daddy, so congrats to him.

Excellent and very informative news. Thanks a lot for digging that up, ejday!

Also, the "MoO3 could be in duplication "within a week"... which dates it to next Monday." bit raises the question of whether we might not get our version first - since the Windows version is apparently probably not going to be shipped until Feb. 25. This is reportedly due to inventory space constraints on the part of the retailers, so if duplication goes quickly, it really seems possible - though rather unlikely.

I just did a very bad thing. :D

http://www.ina-community.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=259114

:nono:

Originally posted by Beamup
:nono:

Oops!

Do you guys feel the "buzz in the air?" I sense we're about to get a lot of goodies coming our way.:D

Originally posted by dojoboy
I sense we're about to get a lot of goodies coming our way.

You think YOU'RE getting goodies? I'm currently bidding on eBay to get a used N64, as well as 4 games (Super Smash Brothers, both Zeldas, Goldeneye). Played those back a couple of years ago when I was an undergrad and one of my roommates had them, loved them, haven't played them since. Now the console is dirt cheap and the games are cheap too (except SSB).

Originally posted by beamup
I'm currently bidding on eBay to get a used N64, as well as 4 games (Super Smash Brothers, both Zeldas, Goldeneye). Played those back a couple of years ago when I was an undergrad and one of my roommates had them, loved them, haven't played them since. Now the console is dirt cheap and the games are cheap too (except SSB).


I got a N64 too. I also got a GameCube and Smash Bros. for both systems, that game is awesome! Have you ever played the GameCube version beamup? It has faster reactions and a smarter AI.

Originally posted by n8mac
I got a N64 too. I also got a GameCube and Smash Bros. for both systems, that game is awesome! Have you ever played the GameCube version beamup? It has faster reactions and a smarter AI.

Smash Brothers is indeed an incredible game - but I've never played it on the GameCube, just N64. Probably won't, either, since I don't know anyone with a GameCube.

Interesting factoid - I had to pay more for Super Smash Brothers than for the system itself! Apparently the cartridge is rare and hard to find these days. *shrug* Go figure, I thought it'd be very common since it's such a kicking game - literally.

Who's your favorite character? I'm partial to Captain Falcon, myself. I like the speed and the great aerial attacks, and the Falcon Punch is incredible if you know how to use it right.

In the original, Samus is my character of choice. The gun + easy comeback (bombs) make her tough to kill.

In the gamecube version, I'd have to say Zelda/Shiek, just because of how fast sheik is. I'm also partial to marth and samus in this version. Game & Watch is fun to watch though :-). Servin up the bacon.

In the N64 I am best with both link (good all around) and Pekachu (fast). My friends perfer to attack from above, so a little lightning always surprises them. ZAP!

GameCube has a good veriety. DK was pathetic in the old one but now is one of my better. Did you know that when you use the windup punch that if you don't punch initially that he holds his charge similar to samus's electric charge? Wait till some gets within range, hit the same button and WHAM!

I also like Shiek and Mario. Did you know that Mario's cape can deflect projectiles back at the attacker?

While we are on the subject, Jedi knight II - Jedi outcast is an awesome game for GameCube. It's also on Mac and Xbox. It has great multiplayer modes, not to mention a one player adventure. Me and my friends have been duking it out w/lightsabers only (no weapons). This game uses tons of force abilities (light or dark) and could almost use its own forum. I have some strategies that I have been dying to share, but instead I just kick my friends butts, or the computers, or both. Senecasax, I highly recommend.

n8mac

Ahh yes, Smash Bros. Haven't played that game for a while. On the N64, my favorite was Ness. His baseball bat could deflect projectiles as well ( even the laser! :crazyeye: ). I also liked Kirby. Nothin like floating over an opponent and then, when they least expect it, transform into a rock and come crashing down on top of them :).

Haven't played the GameCube version too much, so I really don't know which character(s) I like. Ness has been tweaked a bit so he isn't as good as he used to be. I kinda like playing with Zelda/Sheik, due to Sheik's speed, and Ganondorf is cool too.