TransGaming Inc., developer of software portability products for the electronic entertainment industry, announced today a collaboration with NVIDIA Corporation, maker of programmable graphics processor technologies, to bring top tier video games to the Intel-based Macintosh platform using TransGaming’s Cider portability engine in conjunction with NVIDIA’s CgFX graphics system.
TransGaming’s Cider technology revolutionizes the migration and deployment of triple-A video games for the Intel Macintosh by eliminating the time and expense of porting Windows games to the Mac. Today’s video games deliver immersive graphics and game play using high-level shader language (HLSL) technologies pioneered by NVIDIA. The collaboration between TransGaming and NVIDIA now allows Cider to run high-level shaders created for Microsoft’s Direct3D platform using the NVIDIA CgFX framework. To accomplish this, TransGaming and NVIDIA have worked together to improve Cg in several areas, ranging from Effect (.fx) file compatibility through to performance, resulting in the ability to release more high-end games on the Mac with Cider.
”The collaboration between TransGaming and NVIDIA is an important step for Mac gaming. Our collaborative efforts with Cg provide a sophisticated alternative implementation of Direct3D compatible high level shaders on the Mac; this is important because Microsoft restricts the distribution of Direct3D on non-Microsoft platforms. We look forward to releasing many blockbuster titles this year with Cg”, stated Vikas Gupta, CEO & President of TransGaming, in the press release.
“NVIDIA’s work with TransGaming has greatly accelerated the development of the CgFX graphics system. TransGaming’s cross platform experience has allowed us to make CgFX more compatible with developer’s existing shader systems, and opens the door to a consistent developer model for deploying shader effects in different environments. The combination of Cider and Cg will give Mac gamers the best gaming experience possible and we’re pleased to be working with TransGaming to change the Mac gaming landscape”, said Roy Taylor, VP of Content Engagement for NVIDIA, in the press release.
More info here.
Related MacDailyNews article:
TransGaming’s ‘Cider’ brings Windows games to Intel Macs – August 03, 2006
Turning the Mac into a toy just like a Windows PC?
Say it ain’t so!
Let’s hope the new Mac Pro models (I am guessing will be released with ‘Leopard’) have some decent (i.e. top end) graphics card options. e.g. nVidia 8800.
Even better would be Apple allowing one to use any ATi or nVidia card in Mac Pro — just like you can use any hard disk or memory — why don’t they allow this?
Big Al… I agree
Let the mindless gamers mindlessly play on there shallow PC’s.
“Even better would be Apple allowing one to use any ATi or nVidia card in Mac Pro — just like you can use any hard disk or memory — why don’t they allow this?”
As I understand it, the problem is not what Apple does or does not allow but that the video card itself must be modified in order to work with Macs because all intel macs use EFI whereas PC’s still use BIOS. So each graphics card must be a special mac compatible version in order to work with OSX, but you can put any graphics card into a Mac Pro and have it work while running Windows via Boot Camp, because that uses BIOS. I’m pretty sure video card manufacturers could solve this by making their cards able to recognize when to work with EFI and when to work with BIOS but work interchangably on either, but apparently they haven’t bothered to do so as of yet, which means that for now Mac Pro owners are (unless they want to run Windows) restricted to buying cards that Apple has ordered from Nvidia/ATi and that Nvidia/ATi have subsequently modified to work.
To Big Al: “Turning the Mac into a toy just like a Windows PC?”
Why not, Macs can be anything to anybody. That’s what it’s all about, and let the “I can’t buy a Mac because I play high powered games” be proven false.
It’s all about gaining every bit of marketshare. No stone left unturned. You can’t attack on only one front to win a war.
MDN magic word “fact” as in, that is one!
You’ve got to be kidding me. “Mindless gaming.” They have MONEY, don’t they? They are possible PC CONQUEST SALES, aren’t they? It’s called business!
If games are a major factor in what’s prohibiting many young people from converting to Mac then this barrier must be knocked down. I hope this is a start.
I welcome this. There is room for all on the Mac platform and absolutely ZERO reasons to be elitist or exclusionary. And gamers are notoriously demanding when it comes to cutting-edge technology, so maybe we’ll see some improvements on the Mac platform including some video cards that are worth a damn.
Yet another Mac misconception myth debunked. Boy, the pile is sure getting high. What more is left? Zune Tang, can you tell me?
I do like the odd flightsim, so it would be fun to play on a Mac rather than a PC.
Just wait until Apple launches a multi-touch tablet, revolutionizing UI as we know it (and pattented it)… people will be queuing Apple Stores to buy that device that will let you feel the game with your fingers!!!
Write what I’m saying, iPhone is just a start for changing the whole computer business…
Expect this announcement soon: “Microsoft buys TransGaming”
followed soon after by: “Microsoft Closes TransGaming Division”
MW = cold
as in, there’s a cold wind blowing in from Redmond
Georgy Porgy,
The misconception is only debunked when the games arrive.
So far, none have. They’ve announced what they are “going” to do…we’ll see.
bubuh,
No shit, did you think of that all by your self?
You’re a genius.
Yes, but can the iPhone play Doom?
i welcome the change of pace. the only reason i’ve kept a windows machine since i switched three years ago is to play a few games. any of you stuffed shirts who feel that gaming on a computer is for ignorant people who won’t just get a console, get a clue. the pc gaming industry is BIG. for the mac to have a slice of that, and for me to not have to resign myself to a windows computer just to play a few odd games would be spectacular. if you don’t want games on your mac..? DON’T INSTALL THEM. having games available for the mac doesn’t make the mac less useful or less special. anyone who says otherwise really IS drinking too much kool-aid.
bring on the games!!
(next step for me? get a macbook pro! i’m at school right now and there’s a dude sitting next to me who has one. man… makes my tibook look absolutely archaic.)
Guys!!
I really don’t think you see how BIG this news is.
Mac gaming is considered a joke by PC heads – it’s considered a joke by Mac users too.
Once game developers get their hands on Cider it will effectively destroy another barrier to Mac purchases and makes the PC/Mac playing field that much more level.
Games will be released for PC AND Mac simlultaneously. The MacPro will finally be up on the list of gaming machines.
This is very big news.
btw
Micros**t sucks
Oh, no. Let’s not hear from all the elitists here again. The same people saying the same things they said when Apple switched to Intel. Soon even gamers will have NO reason to use Windows and Microsoft can be crushed like the turds they are.
I agree. My MacBook is waiting for the keyboard to be removed an that touch screen built in. (Future model I mean). Just look at the design of the MacBook’s keyboard. The indent was made to have this. It’s comming, just wait and see.
My 2 cents.
This is great news. I agree with many above talking about gaming being a big deal and a major barrier that needs to be broken down. hopefully the entire gaming developer community embraces this technology and gives more people another reason to switch
Transgaming working with Cyan and Gametap to port URU Live to Mac. I have got my name down for beta tester
Intel needs to purchase NVidia to compete with AMD/ATI.
What would be cool is if Apple could allow games that are on families computers to be displayed on the Apple TV, and include Game Trailers as well with the ability to download the demo or actual game to the mac designated as the gaming server. Also if it helps allow xgrid to be used in some of the processing. Just a thought. It would be similar to the way one can use the PSP to play games remotely from a PS3.
@ Georgy Porgy
Ok, I’ll admit, ya got me there! But only idiots would use some tacky second-hand game conversion software, when a far superior gaming experience can be witnessed on Windows Vista Ultimate™. Who needs a mac anyway? Score yet another one for Microsoft.
Welcome to the Social.
Your Potential. Our Passion.
Oh, how I wish Apple would allow one to use BFG’s nVIDIA video cards in the Mac Pro – I’d be in heaven.
As I understand it, the problem is not what Apple does or does not allow but that the video card itself must be modified in order to work with Macs because all intel macs use EFI whereas PC’s still use BIOS. So each graphics card must be a special mac compatible version in order to work with OSX, but you can put any graphics card into a Mac Pro and have it work while running Windows via Boot Camp, because that uses BIOS. I’m pretty sure video card manufacturers could solve this by making their cards able to recognize when to work with EFI and when to work with BIOS but work interchangably on either, but apparently they haven’t bothered to do so as of yet, which means that for now Mac Pro owners are (unless they want to run Windows) restricted to buying cards that Apple has ordered from Nvidia/ATi and that Nvidia/ATi have subsequently modified to work.
Not so sure about that, this problem existed before Apple switched to Intel (and EFI).
In the OSx86 world, people have simply changed the device_ID and manufacturer_ID references in standard Apple nVidia/ATi drivers to make the cards work.
I think it’s a commercial decision by Apple to sell their own graphics cards, the default drivers in OSX only support the device_ID and manufacturer_ID of Apple GPU cards.
I haven’t tried this myself, but I wonder if the same hacks that OSx86 use to drivers would enable say a generic X1900XT to work in a MacPro. If hack works on OSx86 PC but doesn’t on MacPro then it’s down to EFI, if it does work then it’s down to Apple limiting the drivers to only support their own hardware.
Zune Tang: gaming experience on Windows Vista Ultimate is terrible. Most games run at least 20% slower than XP, some as much as 50% slower. Many don’t work at all. Most only work if they are set to ‘Administrator’ permissions, which goes against the new security in the OS. Even Steam from Valve (whose founder and key employees are ex-Microsoft) doesn’t work and integrate properly with Vista. Because of DRM Vista’s new audio options only support stereo sound from expensive multi-channel cards like Creative Audigy. And then there’s the seperate 64-bit version and thats associated issues.
If you like Windows gaming, still to XP.
Your expensive hardware. Our POS OS.