Valve used native Cocoa tools, even going so far as to re-engineer the Steam client and store on Windows to use Apple’s WebKit rendering engine-which, in turn, was one of the original hints that a Mac version was in the works. This isn’t some duct-taped Java port that limps along with a fraction of its Windows counterpart’s features. A Steam buddy list lets you see which of your friends are online, what games they’re playing, as well as invite friends into your game or quickly join them on a campaign already in progress-all with a click or two.įortunately, Valve spared no expense in bringing Steam to the Mac. Over the years, Steam has become the go-to place for Windows gamers to shop for and try out everything from blockbuster releases to indie hits, find new friends to frag with, and stay up to date with the latest patches. It’s the creation of game developer Valve, the company behind games like Team Fortress, Left for Dead, and one of gaming’s most beloved and legendary series: Half Life. Steam, for the uninitiated, is essentially an iTunes Store for games, except with more socializing and actual demos of many games ( *ahem*, Apple).
But before I start waxing too ecstatic, let’s take a first look at the private beta of the service and see what Steam has to offer. The arrival of Steam, the popular online gaming service and store, on the Mac platform may very well be a watershed moment for Mac gaming that’s discussed for years to come.
