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In an interesting IMG forum thread, Glenda Adams, new development lead for Aspyr Media's internal dev team, posed the question of whether you'd pay some amount for them go back and bring older titles like Deus Ex to Mac OS X.

The thread brings up an good point that as Mac gamers have made the transition to OS X, they have been forced to part with their "Classic" favorites, especially many that dealt heavily in 3D. The problem then becomes one of priority for a publisher like Aspyr, who is more certain to make money on new titles rather than spending time and effort to port old ones to OS X.

Here's more from Adams:

I'd also welcome feedback on any other games- anything else Aspyr shipped in the past 6 years you'd buy as an updated OS X version? And would you be more likely to buy one game for $19.95 or a collection of 3 games for $39-$49? Hard-core gamers (and DX fans) are welcome, but I'd also love to hear from people who never played some of these original games, or who are casual fans.

Post away! Here's your chance to provide some direction to the Mac game market!

Aspyr Lost Classics Forum Thread

Ion Storm

Westlake Interactive

Aspyr Media

Deus Ex

The IMG Store is offering a free copy of Feral's Worms Blast or Sacrifice with every order placed through the IMG Store. Simply place an order for any game through the IMG Store, mention "FREE WORMS BLAST" or "FREE SACRIFICE" in the Comments field when placing your order (your order must have at least one currently shipping game in your basket), and we'll send you a free copy of Worms Blast or Sacrifice. While supplies last.

IMG Store

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Aspyr's Glenda Adams recently posted in the IMG forum asking Mac gamers for help testing a pre-release patch for SimCity 4, the extremely popular city building simulation. Here's more from Adams' post:

We are working on a new patch for SimCity 4, to fix current known issues. I'd like to have a select few gamers who are currently having problems with the latest version of the game (1.0.1) test a pre-release version of the patch when it's ready, to make sure we have caught everything.

If you are currently having specific problems (not just general, "it runs too slow") issues with SimCity 4 version 1.0.1, and would be interested in testing a pre-release patch, send an email to sc4test@aspyr.com. You'll hear back if you are selected to participate in the test.

Maxis

Aspyr Media

i5works

SimCity 4

Buy SimCity 4

As reported earlier this week here on IMG, Aspyr Media's Brad Oliver will be dropping by the Apple Store Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona, at 1:00 pm this Saturday, January 17th, for a quick, one-hour presentation.

"The" Brad Oliver, the programmer behind the MacMAME project, the man responsible for porting such triple-A titles as Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Civilisation 3, and America McGee's Alice to the Mac, will be speaking on
the highs and lows of being one of the more reknown modern-day Mac game programmers. Brad will speak on his work with Aspyr Media's new Mac and PC Development Team, his ongoing work on MacMAME, and general gaming issues.

As a special bonus, Brad will be giving away a copy of his latest work, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy. And if that isn't enticement enough, Brad may even treat viewers to a special sneak peek at the latest version of his current project: Aspyr's recently announced expansion pack Medal Of Honour: Breakthrough.

This is a must-do for anyone who's curious about the behind-the-scenes of the Mac gaming world.

The Apple Store is located on the street level of the Biltmore Fashion Park in the historic Biltmore area of Phoenix, next to the Cheesecake Factory. Click on the link below for more information about the store, directions, and a street map of the area.

Directions to the Apple Store Biltmore

Aspyr Media

LucasArts

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

Medal of Honor: Breakthrough

Buy Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

Buy Medal of Honor: Breakthrough

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Unreal Tournament fansite BeyondUnreal has posted an interview with Nathan Overman, map maker, mod creator, and one of the newest employees over at Epic Games.

The Q&A session details the story of how Nathan, once a groupie and amateur map maker, rose to the top of the ranks of talented map creators and, one day, was offered, in his words, "an opportunity of a lifetime":

BU: Did you at any point in your life imagine you’d be working for Epic, or any game developer for that matter?

Nathan: I had always thought that it would be a great job but I never thought I’d actually be sitting here, so I didn’t really pursue it. My jaw hit the ground when I was offered a chance to work on UT2004. I cancelled my current classes at college. They were only extra classes that weren’t required for me to graduate, so I still graduated with an Associates Degree in Networking and Support. With school behind me I can now concentrate on wedging my way into the game industry

BU: How was the transition from “Home Mapper” to “Epic Groupie”? Did you struggle at first, or did you simply buckle up and enjoy the ride?

Nathan: At first I was nervous because I thought I’d get there and not know enough about the editor or not have the skills to do the job, but there are so many helpful people that when I have a question, someone will know the answer. With Assault mapping, everyone has questions and we often have to put our heads together and come up with a solution. I’ve learned more in the few months I’ve been here than I ever did in the years spent mapping at home in my spare time.

BeyondUnreal's Q&A With New Epic Employee Nathan Overman

Digital Extremes

MacSoft

Epic Games

Buy Unreal Tournament 2004

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