Once again it’s time for MacCentral’s weekly retrospective of happenings in the Mac game market that we weren’t able to cover earlier in the week. It’s also our chance to link to game-related content on other sites, and catch you up with what we’ve been reporting on too.
Ambrosia offers new online store, code lookup
Mac shareware maven Ambrosia Software has taken the wraps off a new online store where you can buy registration codes for their games and utilities, as well as t-shirts and CD-ROMs. What’s more, they’ve also posted a lost codes Web page that enables you to retrieve lost codes for Ambrosia products you’ve purchased in the past, simply by using the e-mail address you used when you registered the products.
AspyrWorld wraps up with a bang
Although there wasn’t any new game news from Aspyr Media’s Austin, Texas-based bash this past week, AspyrWorld did offer a glimpse at the company’s new media offerings in the form of screenings of its three DVD documentaries and a party featuring live performances by the three bands whose music the company is publishing. Aspyr’s theme for the event was “Go Big,” signifying its push into new media markets. More details to follow this coming week.
Bugatron released
Red Marble Games and Retro64 have released Bugatron, a 3D arcade game that draws inspiration from coin-op classics like Galaga and other similar titles. The demo comes with 16 levels, and the full registered version has 88. The game requires Mac OS X.
Burning Monkey Mahjong Solitaire in duplication
Freeverse Software noted that Burning Monkey Mahjong Solitaire is now in duplication. The game is Mac OS X only and features 35 different layouts, numerous tile sets, bad jokes, tons of monkeys, and more of what you expect from the crazy loons at Freeverse. In related news, a demo version of Burning Monkey Solitaire 3 is now available for download.
CM4Mac Web site offers Mac CM4 updates
Championship Manager 4 fan site CM Sorted has started up the CM4Mac Web site. The Web site offers an update that users of the Mac version of CM4 (published by Feral Interactive) can apply to keep their team rosters, player transfers and injuries, and so on up to date. The CM Sorted site itself also features lots of info about the game and where to find more information.
Doulber Gold released
Phelios Inc. has released Doulber Gold. Doulber is an action game featuring an ant who must avoid monsters, bats, boulders, lava and more. It costs $24.95 and requires Mac OS X or Mac OS 8 or higher.
Feral to announce new games at Apple Expo
Feral Interactive indicated that it will use Apple Expo 2003 — the upcoming event in Paris, France — to unveil two new games it’s working on. It’ll also show off its latest announced efforts like Ghost Master and Total Immersion Racing.
Howard Dean Solitaire released
Freeverse Software has released Howard Dean Solitaire. The game uses the same engine as that which powers Freeverse’s Burning Monkey Solitaire 3, using graphics and imagery culled from the presidential candidate’s Web site.
Mah Jong Solitaire v2.10 released
BoneHead Projects has released Mah Jong Solitaire v2.10, an updated version of their tile-matching game with new backgrounds, a new full screen mode and performance improvements. It’s available for Mac OS X v10.1 or higher and Mac OS 8.6 or higher.
Mutant Storm OS X, Linux comes to GarageGames
Indie game publisher GarageGames has recently helped small UK-based game developer Pompom Games get more exposure for the Windows version of its already-released wild retro-shooter Mutant Storm. Now GarageGames is helping Pompom push the Linux and OS X versions of Mutant Storm as well. If you’ve somehow missed this gem, now’s the time to check it out.
NingPo Mah Jong released
Pyrogon has released NingPo Mah Jong for Mac OS X. The game costs $14.95, and a trial version is available for download.
NOLF 2 due later this month
MacPlay noted that it will ship No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.’s Way on September 22nd. The 60’s-era spy action game features Cate Archer, a secret agent who travels to exotic locations to thwart the dastardly efforts of a covert criminal organization.
Elsewhere on the Web
MacGamer.com has posted a review of EverQuest, the massively multiplayer online role playing game from Sony. Inside Mac Games has reviewed Zoo Tycoon from Aspyr Media. Apple’s Games site sports a new feature on No One Lives Forever 2.
Closer to home
MacCentral told readers about LittleWing’s release of Mac OS X native versions of Crystal Caliburn and Loony Labyrinth, two pinball games. Apple introduced newer, faster iMacs with improved graphics systems and other changes. Aspyr Media unveiled its new Web site with details on its DVDs and CDs and heretofore unannounced expansion pack for Zoo Tycoon. Pixar plans to release its RenderMan Pro Server software for Mac OS X, an important 3D rendering technology used by movie studios and large game production companies.
As always, we encourage you to drop us a line if you have ideas for ways we can improve our games coverage on MacCentral, if you have questions we didn’t answer, or if you have games or related services you’d like to see mentioned on these pages.