How the switch to Intel processors *might* affect TS2

[JohnEZ]

Hi everyone,

I recently sent an email to Aspyr about my concerns about Apple's switch to Intel processors and Aspyr's current games. I'm not a Mac user now, but my next computer will probably be an Intel PowerBook. ;)

This was the response I got, if you're interested:


Hi John,

Unfortunately we do not have any information on how the Intel switch will affect our games. We hope to have almost all of our entire catalog available for use with the new machines, but at this point, we do not have any information about which games will be available and how compatible they will be.

Hopefully, as TS2 is one of the newer games for Macintosh, it will be converted for Intel use. :)

[ManagerJosh]

If my information is correct, I thought current games in MacOS X are already backwards compatible with the new Intel platform. Apple specifically prepped up programs to be working when they make the move

[Vchat20]

yes. current powerpc based mac programs will work on the new intel platform, but they will be essentially running emulated. so in the games dept., dont expect any great performance.

aspyr will probably have it rewrote down the road. at that point, just buy the new version.

[ManagerJosh]

Or merely patch it. I remember reading somewhere that majority of current OS X apps were designed in such a fashion in preparation to be runned on Intel Architecture.

[Vchat20]

that too. all depends on how aspyr wants to go about it. but the point is that the powerpc version will work on the intel platform, just not very well.

[ManagerJosh]

http://www.betanews.com/article/Apple_Announces_Switch_to_Intel_Chips/1118079654


Developers will not have too tough a time, Jobs promised. Those applications based on Apple's latest Cocoa architecture will require only minor tweaks and can be ready for Intel machines in a few days. Carbon-based applications will take a bit longer to convert, but Apple has released an updated version of the Xcode development platform to ease the transition.

Apple has created a "universal binary" structure that works on both PowerPC and x86 to additionally make things easier for developers. The universal binaries will enable both processors to be supported for a long time to come, Jobs said.