[Mac] Freeciv Disappointment

[mythusmage]

Got the latest version. Installed X11 from the install disc. Learned that Freeciv doesn't exactly work as other apps do on the Mac. It'll run, but if you're expecting to see the Freeciv icon in the Dock, you'll get the X11 icon instead. That threw me. Even led to a nasty forum post on the Freeciv wiki. Because I thought I couldn't get Freeciv to run.

To make this plain, Freeciv is a Windows game that is pseudo-ported to the Mac. Far as I know the Linux port may be complete, but the Mac port is incomplete and thus a disappointment. A complete Mac port does not require any sort of special utility---such as X11---in order to run. If you have a Mac and you'd like to play Freeciv keep this in mind. And if anybody from the Freeciv community reads this, you need to do a true port of Freeciv to the Mac.

What makes this real sad is the fact it looks like a good little game. Just needs porting to the Mac for real. [my emphasis]

 

[Maniacal]

Okay, you should probably take the issue up with the FreeCiv community, which isn't exactly here. There isn't anything we can do, sorry.

 

[tycoonist]

sigh. i'll give you the same advice i give any mac user.

BUY A PC

 

[Serutan]

Like PrinceScamp said, this group is not part of the FreeCiv community. So if you're trying to get the attention of the FreeCiv developers, you're wasting your time here.

 

[cardgame]

I prefer the actual Civ 2, thank you

sigh. i'll give you the same advice i give any mac user.

BUY A PC

/thread

 

[SG-17]

Exactly, Macs are not for gaming.

 

[Methos]

If you're going to game on the Mac, use Bootcamp.

 

[mythusmage]

If you're going to game on the Mac, use Bootcamp.

If I wanted to use a PC, I'd buy a PC. I use a Mac because I'm comfortable on a Mac.

My beef is with games I've been told are compatible with the Mac, when they really aren't. Any app that requires X11 to run on the Mac was not made for the Mac, and to say that it was is to engage in fundamental dishonesty. That is, to lie.

I don't want to play PC games on the Mac, I want to play Mac games on the Mac. But don't tell me a game that needs some sort of PC emulation to run on my Mac qualifies as a Mac game.

 

[Sprig]

If I wanted to use a PC, I'd buy a PC. I use a Mac because I'm comfortable on a Mac.

My beef is with games I've been told are compatible with the Mac, when they really aren't. Any app that requires X11 to run on the Mac was not made for the Mac, and to say that it was is to engage in fundamental dishonesty. That is, to lie.

I don't want to play PC games on the Mac, I want to play Mac games on the Mac. But don't tell me a game that needs some sort of PC emulation to run on my Mac qualifies as a Mac game.

Is this shelton off The Big Bang Theory?

 

[Methos]

But don't tell me a game that needs some sort of PC emulation to run on my Mac qualifies as a Mac game.

I'm assuming the above statement was made in general and not regarding my quote, since I never said anything resembling your accusation above.

I checked a couple sites on it and both explicitly state that X11 is required to use it. Therefore you should have realized this when you bought it, or looked into it in the first place. I would suggest either you return delete the software, or you use bootcamp or a VM.

 

[Maniacal]

FreeCiv is freely downloadable off the net...

 

[mythusmage]

Is this shelton off The Big Bang Theory?

Astute observation. Irrelevant, but astute.

 

[mythusmage]

I'm assuming the above statement was made in general and not regarding my quote, since I never said anything resembling your accusation above.

I checked a couple sites on it and both explicitly state that X11 is required to use it. Therefore you should have realized this when you bought it, or looked into it in the first place. I would suggest either you return delete the software, or you use bootcamp or a VM.

Yes, I was speaking in general terms.

Whereto Freeciv; keep in mind that people promoting the game keep saying it is platform independent. It is not. It requires a Windows emulator to use on a Mac. That to my way of thinking makes it a Windows application. It is the essential dishonesty of the Freeciv community I have problems with.

Don't tell people your software can be used on a Mac or a PC as is when it cannot.

 

[mythusmage]

FreeCiv is freely downloadable off the net...

It also has options Civ II did not, and Civ III does not. Such as a greater variety in the countries one can play, and the leaders available to each tribe. You have a greater choice in how the map is configured, and even in the shape of the tiles. Hexagons instead of rhomboids for example.

It's a simpler Civ II with goodies of its own.

(Don't think that just because I dislike the misleading statements regarding its porting to the Mac that I hate the game itself.)