With the release of Game Center for OSX in 10.8, Apple introduced a Mac-centric way to connect their iOS and Mac gaming audience. Game Center is Apple’s online multiplayer social gaming network that allows for multiplayer matchmaking, achievement tracking and leaderboards. In today’s Mac Gaming 101 feature we’ll explain Game Center and how to get started with your own account so you’ll be gaming with your buddies in no time.

A Brief History

Game Center got its start in iOS 4, bringing iPhone owners a new way to connect socially and play games together. It gave developers the chance to integrate multiplayer options into the quickly growing iPhone game market. Chances are if you’ve ever owned an iOS device you’ve seen the almost infamous the multi-colored icon. By creating an account, players of games like Solitaire and others with early integration could compare scores to those of their friends, challenge their friends to beat a high score, and even take a look at who were the highest scoring players overall on the Leaderboards. It wasn’t anything overly complex or feature-rich, but it was a huge step forward in the socializing of the mobile gaming experience. From there it found its way onto the iPad, letting people play games against each other from iPhone to iPad, expanding the player base.

Last July Game Center arrived as a part of OSX Mountain Lion (10.8), giving Mac gamers everywhere the opportunity to play games against their mobile friends from the comfort of their home computer. This was the first Mac-to-iOS compatibility from Apple, and it also allowed users with pre-existing iOS Game Center accounts to sync their accounts to their Mac. Game Center on Mac also introduced a new method to connect Mac game players via multiplayer and featured leaderboards and achievements for games sold in the Mac App Store.

Game Center on Your Mac

For those of you that have seen or read about Game Center on your Mac but never explored further, here’s more information on creating your account, finding friends, and utilizing features. (more…)

Two epic AAA titles in one week? YES.

On the same day that Batman: Arkham City GOTY hit Macs worldwide, the Mac App Store got another great addition with the epic RPG The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition.  Even better?  It’s currently enjoying a special launch promotion discount price of $20!  

The Witcher 2 has players taking control of Geralt of Rivia, a witcher, a member of a mysterious caste of professional beast-slayers created through brutal training and mutation. Accused of killing a king, Geralt embarks on a solitary quest to clear his name and uncover the mysteries of his past.

Among the included features:

• One of the best RPGs to come to Mac – Award-winning story, graphics, and characters bring the game world to life.
• Brutal combat – Spectacular, tactical, dynamic combat gives you real time control of the action and sword-fighting.
• Vast, believable game world – Based on a best-selling series of novels, the setting is rich with mythology, rife with conflict, and ravaged by monsters and men alike.

There’s even a claim to be the best-looking game on the Mac!

Those curious in the title can should be forewarned that the game requires a pretty hefty Mac setup.  You can check to see if your Mac meets the minimum requirements by using the Mac Match feature on GameAgent.  You’ll also find a collection of screens and trailers that show off how great the game really looks.  Plus, don’t forget to leave a review of the title once you’ve played!

Being a Mac gamer just got a whole lot better. Again.

Today marks the arrival of yet another top-notch triple-A title arriving on the Mac–Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition! Brought to you by Feral Interactive, this epic follow-up to the fantastic Batman: Arkham Asylum takes everything that was great about the original and somehow improves on it in almost every single way.

No longer confined to the limited facilities of Arkham Asylum, players now have a whole city to explore in this open-world evolution. Batman also has a few new tricks up his sleeve to aid players in getting around the enormous environments, including liberal use of the Batclaw and glide-and-dive-bomb techniques!

Not only is getting around the environment easier than ever, Batman also brings several gadgets to the table to help him take out the crazed and violent inmates of Arkham City. Favorites like the Batarang and explosive gel return, plus players get to try all-new tools like flash-freeze grenades and an electric pulse gun! All will be necessary in your attempt to stop the evil that lurks behind the Arkham City project.

Of course the top-notch combat system also returns, allowing players to pull off combos and counter moves without breaking a sweat. The game truly captures what it feels like to be Batman.

Be sure to visit the Batman: Arkham City GOTY page on GameAgent.com to get more details on the game and use the Mac Match feature to see if your Mac meets the minimum system requirements! Also, if you’re not quite ready to buy, be sure to add the game to your Deal Alerts watch list! If the game ever goes on sale, GameAgent will then notify you right away.

Finally, if you’ve already spend some time cleaning up the streets of Arkham City, please hop over to the GameAgent page and leave your review! Providing insight into the game for fellow Mac gamers is how Batman would want it.

 

USD ($) 39.99

EUR (€) 34.99

GBP (£) 29.99

Aspyr announced today that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition for Mac is now available on both the Mac App and Steam Stores!

This compelling entry in the Star Wars lore takes place between Episodes III and IV and has players taking on the role of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, Galen “Starkiller” Marek. The true power of the Force is at players’ fingertips as they battle through legions of Storm Troopers, go head to head with dangerous Rancor beasts, and even face down an entire Star Destroyer! The Ultimate Sith Edition includes all of the original missions found in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed as well as three new levels set in iconic Star Wars locales and a host of new costumes and character models.

In celebration, Aspyr is hosting a Force Unleashed Mac App Sweepstakes on their Facebook page. They’ll be giving away five (5) Mac App codes redeemable for The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition on Friday, August 17. All you have to do to enter is Like Aspyr on Facebook and enter your email address on the entry page. Bonus entries will be awarded for Liking Aspyr’s GameAgent Store on Facebook as well as getting your friends to sign up.

All of the excitement about a galaxy far, far away didn’t stop there, Aspyr discounted some of its other Star Wars titles on both the Mac App and GameAgent Stores! From now through Wednesday, August 15, Star Wars fans will be able to get Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Empire at War, and Knights of the Old Republic all at 25% off!

It’s never been a better time to be a Star Wars fan on the Mac!

Mac Gaming News

• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive lands on Mac and all other platforms Aug. 21. At $15, how is it not a must-buy?!
• Elder Scrolls Online will be able to run on 5 year old Macs. Even those slow to upgrade can enjoy this new MMORPG.
• Square Enix previewed Final Fantasy Dimensions for iOS at E3. Old school RPG action with sprites on iOS sounds like a win.
• Microsoft unveiled SmartGlass at E3 and believe it or not, it will be iOS compatible. Airplay, you have a bit of competition.
• Many old school game favorites are getting a second life on iOS. Didn’t you want to play GTA III on the bus?
• An intrepid fellow has figured out how to get classic titles on GOG.com to work on Mac! He even gives directions so you can too.
• Humble Indie Bundle V has 7 days left. Get some of the best indie games today on your Mac for “pay-what-you-want.” You can even choose to send the money to charity!

Apple News

• Happy 25th Birthday Macintosh II! It was the best and fastest home computer of its day.
• WWDC starts next Monday and the internet is awash in rumors. Here’s one take on what to expect.
• MS Office-compatible iOS app Quick Office has been bought by Google. No word on how this will affect users.
• Apple and HTC are in court again. Due to copyright infringements, Apple wants to block the latest HTC phones from hitting the U.S.
• iPhones coming to Virgin Mobile Jun. 29. Plans start as low as $30. Does anyone have a reason not to get one now?
• Reports claim Windows phones will overtake the iPhone by 2016. Pipe dream, overly optimistic…pick your favorite euphemism for ‘yeah right.’
• Apple gets approval for two more stores in China. They make the products, they deserve the stores. Good for them.
• Speaking of China, Apple will allegedly add Baidu as an iPhone search engine in the country.
• Apple broadens design patent for Airbook “wedge” design. New ideas or lawsuit ammunition? You decide.

Our Posts

And the May Madness continues on!

For today’s May Madness sale, Aspyr is discounting two items. They truly are mad! Civilization IV and Civilization IV Colonization are both $7.99 each. Also, GameAgent will be matching these deals so can grab them there if you’d like.

May Madness for these games will be good until Wednesday 11:59PM so plan accordingly.

Don’t forget to go check out Aspyr’s Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ in order to get the latest updates on Aspyr’s May Madness Sales!

Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter if you want the latest updates to deals on the GameAgent Store and Mac gaming news!

Aspyr Media has gone absolutely mad at the end of May! They are going to be holding a May Madness sale for one of their games each day of this week on the Mac App Store. However, in order to find out what game they discounting, you’re going to have to check out their Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ page each day as they release information about a new sale. We’ll update accordingly as soon as we find out about these sales to share with everyone.

Today’s May Madness sale has Prey on sale for $2.99 at the Mac App Store! Originally $19.99 so it’s quite a deal.

GameAgent will be matching these deals so if you’d like to pick up a boxed version of Prey, grab a copy at the GameAgent Store!

This deal expires Tuesday at midnight so you’ve got till then to take advantage of this deal.

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Aspyr Media promised and they delivered, because the Duke Nukem Forever DLCs are now available on the Mac App Store. Duke Nukem Forever Mac App purchasers will now get the TWO action-packed DLCs for FREE as part of an update that will be applied to the game. The DLCs that will be included are the Hail to the Icons Parody Pack which bring three new game modes and bunch of new maps for multiplayer and The Doctor Who Cloned Me which continues the single player adventures of Duke Nukem as he takes on Dr. Proton along with four new multiplayer maps. What can be better than even more kick-ass content with our lovable, foul-mouthed Duke Nukem? Oh wait, IT DOES GET BETTER! Aspyr Media is slashing the price of Duke Nukem Forever on the Mac App Store to $9.99 for a limited time in celebration of the release of the DLCs on the Mac App Store. We here at the GameAgent Store are also matching that price so grab it here! This promotion will go on from April 5th to April 12th so tell all your friends who want a piece of the Duke!

COME GET SOME! 

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Fill out your Mac game collection this weekend with Civilization IV and Civilization IV: Colonization on the Mac App Store, only $5 each! Aspyr’s latest Civilization V: Campaign Edition update has hit a bit of a snag with Mac App customers, so as a bit of amends, Aspyr has decided to offer their other Civilization games on the Mac App Store at incredible discounts!  The offer should be good through February 29, and is valid for Civilization IV and Civilization IV: Colonization on the Mac App Store. As additional amends, once the Civilization V: Campaign Edition update is fixed, all existing and future Civ V Mac App customers will receive the Wonders of the Ancient World Scenario Pack for FREE!  Stay tuned for more details.

 

To celebrate being on the Mac App Store for the past year, Aspyr Media is discounting 4 of its Mac App titles by 30% this weekend only.  The titles comprise the games featured in the Mac App Store’s “Best of 2011,” including The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and Mac App Game of the Year Civilization V: Campaign Edition.  As noted above, the discounts are good through end of day (11:59pm CST) Sunday, January 8, so head over to the Mac App Store now!

    

BONUS: Not a Mac App fan? The GameAgent Store will be matching the discounts on the same titles through the weekend as well, so choose your favorite store!