Mac game publisher MacPlay’s Web site may still be missing in action, but the company definitely has a full development and publishing schedule. MacPlay technical director Mark Dochtermann recently took a few minutes to give members of the press an update on the company’s efforts, in coordination with developer MumboJumbo Games. There’s great news here, too — although there are no new product announcements, it’s clear that MacPlay will be bringing a lot of quality, high-profile releases to the Mac game market this year.
Dochtermann explained that Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn is being converted to the Mac by Chris Jacobson. It’s a role-playing game developed originally by BioWare and published for the PC by Interplay’s Black Isle Studios brand.
Dochtermann said that BG2 would enter beta testing once support is included for Scott Kevill’s online gaming service GameRanger. MacPlay anticipates releasing the game in time for Macworld Expo this July.
The real-time strategy game Sacrifice is being worked on by none other than Duane Johnson, whose resume includes Mac versions of Descent III and Star Trek: Voyager — Elite Force, along with a brief stint at now-defunct graphics card maker 3dfx. Dochtermann suggests the game will be released late this summer.
Giants: Citizen Kabuto has been hotly anticipated by hardcore Mac gamers since its release on the PC; the game has received rave reviews by the PC press. The game offers an odd balance of strategy and action as you pick one of several different classes of characters (including a giant).
Although Dochtermann doesn’t offer a specific release schedule, he says that the game will be one of the first Mac releases to sport features exclusive to the new Nvidia GeForce3 graphics card. “Of course, Giants will rock on GeForce 2 and ATi Radeon, too,” said Dochtermann. “We’ve got some GIANT secrets about this one, so stay tuned!”
It looks like Fighter Squadron: The Screamin’ Demons over Europe has hit some snags. Originally announced last year and slated for a release in April, Fighter Squadron — a World War II-era aircraft combat flight sim — is now slated for a summer release. Dochtermann reports that the game has reached beta.
Dochtermann also indicates that Icewind Dale — another RPG from Black Isle Studios — will be released this fall. He said that’s because Icewind Dale uses the same core technologies as Baldur’s Gate II, they’re expecting a very short conversion.
Finally, last but certainly not least — Star Trek fans may be interested to know that Starfleet Command Volume II: Empires at War is now “in the early stages of development” for the Mac. It’s anticipated for a holiday season release.
MacCentral has a meeting scheduled with MacPlay during this week’s forthcoming E3 ( Electronic Entertainment Expo ) festivities. We’ll have more details soon.