Oh, you already do my friend.

From my observations "Mac gaming" isn't a term that seems to be acknowledged (or at least respected) by most of the gaming community. After all, Apple isn't exactly known for seriously supporting or advertising gaming (except maybe casual games), but it is common knowledge now that now more and more games are slowly starting to come to the Mac. Evidence of this can be seenhere:http://www.apple.com/games,where Apple has been proudly adding titles to their list of "Mac Games Now Available". To be honest, therearequite a few good games on that list, and in general there is now much more support coming in for gaming on the Mac platform. "Mac gaming" isn't a "what if" or "yeah right" anymore. Now it is a matter of "How will it turn out?" because Mac gamingishappening now, and the Mac is notably starting to find its own identity as a respectable gaming platform.

This is largely due to certain developers who have have been giving more support to the Mac platform. Blizzard and Valve are probably the best examples of this. These two big name developers are now both making their games simultaneously for both PC and Mac. Just as important, Valve has even recently released a Mac version of Steam, their extremely popular and lucrative digital distribution platform, which has gone quite aways toward making "Mac gaming" distinctly more viable and accepted. This is very important because unless the idea of the Mac as a gaming platform is effectively advertised to the gaming community or the general public then Mac gaming will quickly cease to exist beyond the casual market.

Didn't know that Mac users were gaming now? Well you will after a Mac gamer owns you on TF2.

That is why it is so important that Mac gaming forms its identity now, and it is already starting to do so. One big step has actually just been recently taken toward the identity building process. That step is none other that the latest Starcraft 2 commercial, which you can view here. In the last few second of this commercial a man with a deep and affirming voice announces "Starcraft 2, for PC and Macintarrgh" (Yes, I know he is really saying "Macintosh", but it honestly sounds like he is saying "Macintargh"). Now, it has been known for quite some time that Starcraft 2 was going to be released for both the Mac and PC, but this commercial has taken things to a whole new level in ways both explicit and subtle.

That is because this is a mainstream commercial that is being aired on all sorts of T.V. channels and in pre-video Youtube advertisements, and now the masses are seeing this commercial for a big name game that is available for the Mac. It is a good example of the self-identity Mac gaming needs to create if it wants to go anywhere. Think, for instance, of the Playstation or Xbox 360 commercials. Personally, whenever I think of a Playstation commercial (both new and old) I hear the sound effect of the electronic voice that chants "Playstation" echoing in my mind. The same can be said of the 360's commercials, which always end with a reverberating "duuUN" sound effect as the 360 logo briefly appears. These are things that linger in the minds of the viewers of such commercials, so whether they are interested in gaming or not they will associate those sound effects and logos with the appropriate gaming platform. In that sense those commercials are a little iconic, and with the latest Starcraft 2 commercial Mac gaming has taken a subtle step towards such iconicity. If things continue to go well for Mac gaming, then in a few years from now we may be seeing tons of commercials ending with a funny sounding "Macintarrggh" sound effect.

Imagine the commercials. "Bioshock 3 for Macintargggh..."

For better or for worse, Mac gaming is here and growing, and so far Blizzard and Valve have been taking the right steps toward making the Mac a serious gaming platform. In comparison, Apple seems to have done little to support its own platform when it comes to serious gaming, but is it really necessary when big name developers are doing the work while Apple can sit back and enjoy the large profits it rakes in from the casual gaming market? What do you think?

Do you think Mac gaming can really go anywhere, or do you predict that it will be a negligible little niche in the industry?

Do you agree with companies like Valve and Blizzard supporting the Mac gaming platform?

Do you hate the fact that I keep saying "Mac gaming," or do you feel the term should be accepted?

What are some ways that you think Mac gaming could be more effectively advertised, or would you rather it not be advertised at all?

MGS is my favorite game series. In fact, MGS3 is my favorite game of all time. So, it feels awesome to finally be at the "Snake Eater" Gamespot level.

Man I'm excited!  SO EXCITED!

Disregard me other blog.  I am now willing to join more unions.

I've joined enough unions right now so please do not bother sending me an invite.  I'm flattered that you want me to join, but I don't have enough time on my hands to spend time in any more unions than I have already joined.

I'm confused.  I'm trying to decide between several games.... Psychonauts and the Ratchet and Clank games.....  Right now I'm saving for Up Your Arsenal, but heard that they all are great games.