Is the ASPYR port a BETA only?

[GoaSkin 2]

The various builds of the Windows versions of SC4RH have version numbers. Version 1.1.613 was the first public release. Later, there came two updates, updating the program to versions 1.1.638 and 1.1.640. To find out the version number of the ASPYR port, you need to dive into the package contents of the app and look into the Info.plist file. It says as version number 1.1.517. That means the fork that has been used to make a Mac port is based on a developer release of the program that wasn't used as public release and is a much older. The version number also may identify an unstable version (last number is uneven and this mostly defines unstable versions, for example on Linux kernels). That explains why Aspyr never ported the Maxis updates. They aren't usable to be applied on the version that Aspyr sells. If the Mac port is really based on an unstable release, it may not be legal to sell it due consumer protection reasons.

[unityx 1]

Interesting.

All I know is that side by side the Mac version sucks. Its performance is poor, the permanent grid is annoying, etc. But hey, they made their money

[GoaSkin 2]

Actual titles by EA games aren't ported by ASPYR anymore. So, their bad work hasn't any suistainable good results for them.

[TEG24601 32]

Actually, EA doesn't port games anymore, they just cheat and use Cider to allow for cross-platform releases.

As for the version number, Mac and Windows version number have nothing to do with each other. It simply means that they were able to get a stable version of the software in a fewer number of builds. Aspyr is still working on some fixes, but they may never see the light of day as EA is trying to forget all the older Sim games, and Aspyr won't make any money on the updates.

TEG

[GoaSkin 2]

Sometimes, CIDER or simply the free version 'WINE' to run a Windows-version of a game is a faster and more stable solution than a port. On the Macintosh platform, WINE yet does not have the same functionality than the Linux-version but on Linux, sometimes I ask myself why some games have been ported. For example, the Cultures2 part "Northland" is availlable as native Linux version but not the other parts. But you can run all of them using WINE. I bought the native version of Northland and the Windows version of "8th Wonder of the World". Through WINE, everything is faster and more usable. So I ask myself why they were doing the porting work. Sim City 4 deluxe runs well under Linux if WINE is configured well (DX and Audio must be set up well). Same performance and stability like the Windows version with no restrictions. You can use all the Maxis updates and it is not necessary (like explained in many documentations) to install a cracked EXE. WINE is usable for safedisc copy protection.

[pocketg99 0]

Personally, the Mac version is fine... But I've never played SC4 on a PC

[Monk's Dream 0]

Yeah, I think it's fine too.  But I haven't played SC4 since the SNES version, and I haven't seen PC versions either.  It would be nice to have more access to terraformed maps and terraforming tools, but meh.  It's good to me.