 |
OS X F.A.K.K.2, PCI Radeon Issues Revisited
9:08 AM | Andy Largent | Comment on this story
IMG has recently been in contact with OmniGroup's Tim Wood about the beta of Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.2 for OS X. Those able to run this Cocoa version of the game have noted all-around improvements over its OS 9 counterpart in frame rate, sound, and more.
Unfortunately it seems that some PCI Radeon owners may not be so lucky. Many have been unable to even launch the app successfully -- instead having it quit after a few seconds of resolution changing. OmniGroup confirms this is a problem not with the game, but with how OS X is interacting with the PCI Radeon. Here's Wood's response (and semi-solution):
It turns out that PCI Radeons don't work well at all with non-G4
machines and in some cases with G4 machines. Apparently Mac OS X will
send garbage to the PCI Radeons on a non-Altivec machines.
You can try turning off compiled vertex arrays (you will take a
performance hit, of course), but setting 'r_ext_compiled_vertex_array 0'
in your config file.
After some quick testing, this solution will allow the application to launch, though game play averages FPS in the very low teens: not exactly optimal. OmniGroup assures us this driver issue is known by both ATI and Apple, and both companies are working to resolve it as we speak. Those with AGP Radeons and FAKK2 can look forward to instant gratification, however -- the Cocoa version of this game is extremely impressive, with no sound problems, a rock-solid frame rate and even scroll wheel support. Hopefully we will see a solution in an upcoming update to OS X, as it will likely affect other 3D apps for those with PCI Radeons. We'll keep you posted as any permanent solutions become available. The final version of this Cocoa port should arrive in the near future.
 Download F.A.K.K.2 Beta 2 for OS X
 OmniGroup Web Site
 IMG News: OS X Heavy Metal F.A.K.K.2 Solutions, Problems
Gathering of Developers
Ritual Entertainment
Heavy Metal F.A.K.K. 2
Other Mac Games News for Wednesday, May 9, 2001
| | • MacSoft to Publish Tropico, Max Payne, Myth III, and More | 3:10 PM | | • Apple Previews Emergency Room 3 | 1:08 PM | | • Captain Bumper 1.0 Released | 12:56 PM | | • Game Doctor May Prescriptions Available | 12:32 PM | | • Myst III Exile Sound, 3dfx Issues | 10:37 AM | | • New Game Company Pledges Mac Support | 9:51 AM | | • Interview with Giants: Citizen Kabuko's Ken Capelli | 9:34 AM | | • World War II Online Preview, Interview | 9:17 AM | | • Mac Doom Legacy Updates for OS 9, X | 9:11 AM | | • OS X F.A.K.K.2, PCI Radeon Issues Revisited | 9:08 AM | | • More Red Faction Info | 8:52 AM | | • GarageGames Q&A | 8:25 AM | | • Diablo II Media Mania | 8:12 AM | | | | View all of the Mac games news for Wednesday, May 9, 2001 on one page |
Recent Mac Games News Monday, May 7, 2001
Friday, May 4, 2001
Thursday, May 3, 2001
Wednesday, May 2, 2001
Tuesday, May 1, 2001
|
Search for other Mac games news stories or browse our Mac Games News Archive.
|
|
