Hello there all!

I just thought I'd post here and make everyone aware that I have a fully-converted Mac OS X native build of Skyrim in the works, and it's very rapidly approaching completion.

I'm very sceptical of the possibility and also the legality of this.

Mostly the legality

Apple.
Overpriced, doesn't play most games. Waste of money when windows can do everything, and play games too, without any need to modify anything.

Also yes, it does seem a bit of a legal issue.

If he bought the game legally there is no law saying he can't try to port it himself. I believe it would fall under fair use. The only thing he can't do is distrubute the port.

Why do you have to start this? why post ignorant flame bait?

Tired, trite old "wisdom" we've been hearing for two decades (and I don't even own a Mac). Funny how their market share keeps increasing.

Sorry, as I was new to the forum, I hit the wrong button and accidentally this thread. Please divert all further commentary to this thread: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1338645-skyrim-for-mac-os-x-98-functional/

I'd love to be able to buy a Mac version of the game. The hardware is the same these days, so there should be no performance issues. But until they decide to do it, the only option is a console (PS3 for me) or a virtual environment.

That is the end goal, yes, for Bethesda to release some version (no matter how different, just as long as it's still basically my code, I don't even want paid unless they offer, just some recommendation letters) so that the rapidly growing Mac gaming population can stop relying on Boot Camp and start getting their own truly independent and parallel library of titles. Like I said before though, please direct all further discussion here: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1338645-skyrim-for-mac-os-x-98-functional/

Actually the adjective I would use is sad. Sad that so many fools are literally tripping over themselves and racing each other to be the first to give Apple way too much $$$ for the next shiny crap that is loaded with restrictions. Sad too that these same people herald Apple as some "progressive" company that cares about people while thinking Microsoft is some evil corporate giant. Even though Apple is huge, uncaring and has billions in the bank, no charity foundations etc... they are still the hero of all campus dooches.

I really don't care which platform is "better". I like Macs because they're simple and easy to use, but have so much hidden power as well. Terminal, anyone? OS X is just the Aqua interface over a heavily modified UNIX kernel. But that's all irrelevant right now; what I'm talking about is specifically Skyrim being run on a platform that is a valid platform for gaming and just keeps growing. It's an untapped market; right now the best games we have for OS X are Borderlands (which I also did extensive conversion work on) and Bioshock. These games are aging, and in the case of Bioshock, are already fully sequeled out. Borderlands 2 drops this summer. OS X gamers are getting left behind; granted, it's getting better, but what we really need is Skyrim to be sold and distributed by Bethesda for OS X. That kind of massive publicity will forever cement the Mac and OS X as valid gaming platforms.

My thoughts exactly. Just focus on the real point here; getting Bethesda's attention. If this thread gets their attention, I might convince them to take a look at my build. Which might convince them that, why yes indeed, OS X is a platform more than good enough for gaming. Which means they might get into the business, especially when I intend to hand them the build no strings attached, though I will politely be requesting a letter of recommendation for CMU should they use any of my work. I want great changes in the Mac gaming market to come of this project of mine.

Haha, so true.
I once saw an iPad ripoff that did everything the ipad does, for ￡23. How can apple justify their pricing.

Because people will pay it. They don't have to justify it by any other reason. Prices are NEVER set at what something is worth, only at what the most people are willing to pay relative to production costs. If ten million people will buy an iPad at $500-$830, then so be it, that's what they'll be priced at. You think games need to be priced at $60 for development companies to turn profits? Not really no. But it's what almost every gamer is willing to pay. This is basic economics here.

EDIT: It's not fair or nice or rainbows and sunshine, but it's how market economies work.

Let's bring this back on topic. Who wants to see an official OS X release for Skyrim?

An OS X release would be more than possible. Steam already has a system in place for Mac and PC versions of games, and even allows cross platform play if there's multiplayer.

Yes, I would. As long as it's functioning a 100% and not 98%.

As this guy neatly explained, they can get away with it because so many people are morons and are more interested in "looking cool" to other people than actually investigating the value of their purchases.

No, actually, I explained simple market dynamics. I like the iOS and OS X interfaces and back-end kernels; therefore I have an iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and Macbook Pro, because I both like and am willing to pay for them. I've been trying to be polite about this; no flaming, just focus on the point at hand.

Sorry pjs I didn't mean you specifically, I meant the masses that are able to keep Apple so large. Obviously there are some niche' users like you or others who use it for graphical editing that can prefer a Mac... but that is not why they are huge or why their prices are so high, my reason is.

Well yes, but that last 2% is proving an incredible blighter for me, Bethesda's devs are undoubtable better than I, and I couldn't legally distribute anyway. Therefore, I am attempting to garner support from Bethesda and the community for the idea of an official, OS X native build of Skyrim. I'm offering all my work to Bethesda, all I want is a letter of recommendation to CMU if they use any of my work.

While I personally dislike Steam, it would certainly be the best way of going about distributing an OS X version of Skyrim, the Mac App Store would come in at a very close second. I would honestly make the suggestion of distribution on both, but that you can link the Mac App Store version to Steam regardless for trophies and community, making all distributions equal.

I dont think its the actual viability of OS X thats putting developers off , its more the small numbers of users that would buy a copy that does not make it financially viable to spend time and money converting.

I personally prefer Mac's for my business and PC's for gaming, but I'm sure my mac could deliver on any current games given the chance

They probably can if they are willing. And what's CMU?

98% - some people would say you've already matched the pc version