The Phillips Files #2 -- Mac Gaming Sites: A Brief Glimpse
by R.P. Phillips

Before getting into this week's "subject"; I would like to thank everyone that responded to my "Introduction" and relate to everyone the important points mentioned I've found a couple of encouraging suggestions and some interesting observations.

I was all but told that writing about "games" would be a waste of time and energy. If I want to mention anything about "games", I should just refer everyone to the "Inside Mac Games" web site. This isn't really a problem, since I'm not really much of a "gamer"; but, having a very young Mac user [2 years old], I might just have a thing or two to mention about software and hardware that is designed for children in his age group.

I was also asked to avoid "rumors". If you've been following the "rumors" flying around regarding the P1 portable and/or the G4 issues and/or who's buying "Apple Computer" this week, you got to realize what a "mess" rumor spreading/reporting can get. With minimal retractions and corrections at various "rumor" sites, the readers are often left "confused" and misinformed. This just isn't really my style, so again, no problems here.

As for specific items mentioned regarding what you "want"; it is just the obvious, honest, well researched [with references and links] articles on just about anything else that is related to the "Mac". Expressing a very open-minded attitude by this sites frequent readers. While I can't promise 100% accuracy, I always do my best to get as much information as I can in the short time available between articles. I strive for accuracy and will include "references" and "links" when possible.

Again; let me "Thank" everyone who responded. Your insights, information and suggestions are always appreciated.

And now - "On With The Article".....

In direct contrast to some suggestions regarding "games"; I do have a few things to say. While I am not going to "review" any gaming software or hardware, I am going to examine some Mac Gaming related sites. An analysis of sorts, of these Mac Gaming related sites from someone who is basically a "non-gamer" but is interested in learning a lot more about the subject. Hopefully, there are others in the same situation who will benefit from my analysis.

This Article's Game Sites List - First let me say that this list is not a COMPLETE listing of EVERY Mac site that discusses Mac Games and or Mac Gaming. To do that would take way to long and won't let you fully explore the "links" that are supplied on many of these sites.

(Sites with an asterisk * denote sites that are worth visiting and/or keeping an eye on to see what they grow into.)

Games Domain A site to downloading demos, shareware and freeware games. While the Games Domain site isn't totally "Mac" oriented ( it pretty well covers all platforms), it is totally "GAMES" oriented and has a very good Mac area and good selection of Mac downloads.

Games 4 Mac It seemed to me that this site is more interested in their "Campaigns" to petition software companies to make specific games for the Mac OS than they are in covering what games are available and new for the Mac. I did like the way their Links page explained the sites they had links to. Their "Games To Get" and "Shareware Picks" were also nice but their news area was in need of updating, with the most recent addition over 2 weeks old.

Global Mac Games A "Free Gaming Ladder" site. OK; I already mentioned I'm not a gamer, so I can't tell you anything about a "gaming ladder" or the overall quality of this sites "ladder". For those of you who do know and understand it will have to see and rate this site for yourself.

*Happy Puppy Another "all platforms" download site for demos, shareware and freeware games and personally speaking I like this site better than the Games Domain.

*Inside Mac Games I can easily see why I was sent the message telling me to refer people to this site for Mac games. It was very good! It's got the news, reviews, chat, forums, etc.. and even though it has a print version with "CD" - the site doesn't try to push its visitors towards it - just has it as a viable option. I did, however, find their demo, shareware, freeware download area full of mostly "new" and popular games and really didn't cover the massive amounts of older games [ 3+ years ], some of which are still very enjoyable.

JVOX's Boomstick A site, seemingly, focused on the various "Quake" versions and the "Unreal" game. If these are games you like or are interested in, this might be a good site for you to visit.

*Mac Game Database From the same person that brings you "Mac Sports". This is apparently a "new" site and still being created. I did, however, really like the way "system requirements" were represented in their review/download area. I'd really like to see a lot more of this "obvious" representation of these requirements on all sites. I am tired of downloading software that sounds "really great", only to find it won't run on my specific machine. For this reason and the possibilities this site has for growth [being a fairly new site] I will definitely list this as a "must" site for gamers and future gamers.

Mac Gamer News and reviews and that's about it. This is a small and limited site. It is also what you'll find if you go to the Mac Gamers Network.

Mac Gamers Ledge Pretty good news and reviews; but for downloads of game demos, shareware and/or freeware you're referred to either their hotline server ( which you must sign up to before you can enter) or other software sites. I'm not a Hotline user ( tried it a couple of times and wasn't impressed) and am not fond of "members only" areas to get access to software that is easily available elsewhere on the internet.

Mac Games Gate "Europe's Largest Mac Gaming Site". Even though they had news, reviews, articles, etc.. I really didn't like its overall organization and found their "links" really poor. Perhaps it is just a "European thing" site that I don't understand, but I probably won't be back.

*Mac Game Shareware News Almost daily news about Shareware games for the Mac. Game links go to software company not to information nor download. However; their review area has a wonderful use for your browsers QuickTime plug-in a sample viewing of what the game looks like. I loved this; being able to get a very brief view into the game in motion was a really wonderful idea and well worth a return visit.

Mac Games 2000 I didn't think this site was very well maintained nor organized. I didn't find any links nor download options. Overall; I probably won't be back.

*Mac Gamez Some news and a few reviews, limited downloads; but to be fair, they are honestly and openly looking for "Staff volunteers" in just about all areas. This site also has a lot of possibilities and deserves a return visit.

MacGaming.Com This url just transfers you to a MacCentral site [ http://maccentral.com/games/ ] where you'll find a lot of gaming news. That's about it, gaming news!

Mac Gaming Beat Another small and fairly new site that is openly looking for more Mac users to help with their site. Making it another site to keep an eye on, to see what they grow into.

Macintosh Gaming League Another one of those "ladder" sites, but with news (over two weeks old).

Mac Quake Infinity Another "Quake" oriented site. Quake players might want to visit it.

Mac Reactor News, reviews, demos and updates with a so-so list of links. Fairly good overall site.

Mac Sport For sports games, it has the news and reviews and basically refers you to their other site [ Mac Game Data Base ] for other all other types of gaming. Pretty good site for those who like sports oriented games.

Mac 3D.com Contains both 3D gaming news with a touch of general industry news. Nicely organized. Reviews of both software and hardware, but no direct downloads for the software and no mention of system requirements that I could see.

*Mac Warrior News and reviews, some downloads for games but I really liked their extensive game "updates" section. If for no other reason than to check to see if you've got the most up to date version of your favorite game, this site is another must visit.

*Pure-Mac - Games An all purpose download site with a limited "game" section. I visit this site on a weekly basis for general information on available new software and/or updates to old software. While I don't think it is a must see site for gamers; it should be a must site for everyone with a Mac.

*The Racing Mac When it comes to racing games for your Mac, this is the site to visit. News, reviews, previews, system requirements and help sections as well as great Mac racing links.

Unreal Engine.com If you're into the game of Unreal, this is a site for a Unreal overdose.

*Vertigo (formerly MacVertigo) News and special announcements, updates, reviews, editorials and interviews. Demos and shareware listed seem a bit limited to me and no system requirements that I could find. Great "links" page!! In all fairness; I started this article from their site and used their links page to find every site ( either directly or from one of the sites listed) included on this page. And yes; I will be returning to this site.

VGS Heaven Last update to this site was over a month and a half ago - need I say more.

All in all; I found that Mac Gaming is alive and growing. I found some really good sites to return to, some newer sites to keep an eye on, and some sites I really didn't like (as well as a couple I didn't understand).

What I didn't find was a site devoted to the younger Mac gamers [ 3-8 years old or pre-teen]. Perhaps this is an "opening" for someone who loves younger children or younger childrens games. Then maybe a site for "granny" games for those of us who are really close to being really old and just don't have the quick reflexes needed to play the majority of "newer" games.

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