Download the best games on Windows & Mac. A vast selection of titles, DRM-free, with free goodies, and lots of pure customer love. With there so much choice for gamers — whether you play often or only every once in a while — we’ve given you information where to download and buy your next MacBook games. Naturally, we have referred to peer-reviews to find some of the best Mac games, alongside the top-rated free Mac games.

• Why Aren't There More Games For Mac Operating System
• Why Aren't There More Games For Mac Os
• Why Aren't There More Games For Mac Computers

Why Aren't There More Games For Mac Operating System

The Super Bowl may be the biggest night in advertising, but, somehow, video game producers aren’t jumping on the bandwagon. Nick D. looks at why.

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events of the year in the United States, but not just for football fans. It has become synonymous with much more than that most beloved of American pastimes. What I’m talking about is the commercials, the wildly inventive, sometimes hilariously misfiring commercials. Citing several studies, Forbes posted that 50% of the Super Bowl audience watches just for the ads. Even a cursory glance on Youtube reveals the celebrity status that some of these commercials achieve. Many of them worm their way into the bowels of pop culture, affecting people who don’t have the slightest interest in football.

With as influential some of these commercials are, you’d think that the multi-billion dollar video game industry would be a standard fixture of Super Bowl sales pitches. You’d be wrong. There are precious few video game advertisements to be found. With over one-hundred million viewers expected to tune in this Sunday, the Super Bowl is one of, if not, the biggest advertising opportunities of the year. Yet, you are unlikely to see advertisements for upcoming games. Today, I’d like to delve into why that is exactly.

As mentioned above, the Super Bowl presents a unique opportunity for advertisers, especially in the video game industry. Twenty-two percent of the audience are between the ages of 18-35. This is the target demographic the vast majority of video games reach for, especially the biggest sellers such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. But very few of them take the bait.

Perhaps the biggest reason for this is money, as you may have expected. Four million dollars will get you a thirty second commercial during the Super Bowl. Video game budgets vary wildly and although there are game guides out there for certain games, developers are often secretive about exact numbers. Even so, for all but the biggest blockbuster games, the cost of a Super Bowl ad is prohibitive.

For all but the biggest blockbuster games, the cost of a Super Bowl ad is prohibitive.

According to this infographic, the average development costs for a game is 42 million dollars. Of course, being an average, some budgets are significantly higher than that figure and some budgets are significantly lower. An indie developer, for example, could make two or three full games with that money. God of War: Ascension had a budget of “a mid double-digit million amount,” according to lead producer, Whitney Wade. This means that a thirty second advertisement during the Super Bowl cost almost ten percent of the development costs of the game.

However, it isn’t simply a problem of being cost prohibitive. There is also the fact that, despite looking good superficially, the video game industry is not well suited to such a singular investment in advertising. Companies like Jaguar, Budweiser, or Coca Cola have a single product, and a large investment has the opportunity to pay off in the long run, video games don’t work like that.

Companies like Jaguar, Budweiser, or Coca Cola have a single product, and a large investment has the opportunity to pay off in the long run, whereas video games don’t work like that.

A single video game is released, sells and then disappears as the company prepares to release the next one. Even if the game is a part of a long-running and successful series, the exposure the company will receive will be for that game only.

In some cases, the video game itself is less important than the brand. This can be seen with yearly releases, particularly multiplayer endeavours such as Call of Duty or Madden. In these cases, exposure to a game, say Call of Duty: Ghosts is tantamount to exposure to all future Call of Duty games. This is not the case in largely single player games, or ones with longer development cycles because of how widely the content can change between instalments.

If, for a moment, we leave software behind and explore hardware, there is greater impetus for something like a Super Bowl ad. Consoles are usually around for five year cycles with last generation stretching that for a couple extra years. That is long enough that a long-term brand recognition boost may be valuable. Loyalty rarely extends past a single console cycle as can be seen by the changing fortunes of Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony over the years.

Loyalty rarely extends past a single console cycle as can be seen by the changing fortunes of Nintentdo, Microsoft, and Sony over the years.

Nevertheless, an edge over a tight competitor could lead to all sorts of advantages including better multiplatorm games as your console becomes the lead in development, more exclusive DLC, and better third party partnerships.

Back to software, there is a secondary problem associated with costs – how best to use the money. Four million dollars is a massive investment even for large companies, and there are many places to spend it. The video game industry in particular is an industry that thrives off of constant hype building. A single advertisement is wasted unless followed by a consistent stream of more hype generating activities until release. In many cases, the costs of a Super Bowl ad would be better served by a series of lower key television ads, internet banner ads, and more direct coverage from professional video game sites. Whilst these are all beneficial methods of marketing and advertising for the big event, they could even be incorporated within rewarded video ads that gaming apps like to introduce to users to act as an incentive for players to get more lives or currency. If they’re unable to skip the ad, they will be exposed to this commercial, and may even be drawn to watch it; providing awareness for the app and the Super Bowl itself. While a Super Bowl commercial may be explosive, that doesn’t mean it’s the most effective option.

Then there is the question as to whether Super Bowl advertisements actually help sell product at all. In a recent study, research group, Communicus, revealed that as many as 80% of Super Bowl ads don’t improve sales. The group speculated that a single monumental exposure isn’t sufficient in many cases. This may have been the case for Dante’s Inferno, which according to VGChartz has a total lifetime sales across all platforms, hovering around 2 million units. While VGChartz is not a perfect source, it gives you a rough ball park figure, which shows that a Super Bowl advertisement did not prevent Dante’s Inferno from under-performing.

An article for The Atlantic suggests that Super Bowl commercials may be more effective at introducing new products than they are at increasing the market share on older products. This makes logical sense as long-term products, which are known to the majority of people are unlikely to cause a big stir. You are more likely to wow people with a product that is as unique and exciting as the advertisement itself. This leads to an interesting paradox where the video games that would most benefit from a Super Bowl ad can’t afford it, and those that can, don’t need one. Of course, this doesn’t stop companies like EA from using such a bump to sell a rare new IP. This logic leads me back to my Dante’s Inferno example, however. It may look good on paper, but reality can surprise.

Whether Super Bowl video game advertisements will become more common in the future is uncertain. It’s clear that the video game industry as a whole is growing wildly. However, AAA development costs are at an all-time high and combining high development costs with a massive marketing budget could lead to another situation such as 2013’s Tomb Raider, which missed sales projections despite selling 3.4 million copies.

The growing indie market is unlikely to be able to take advantage of Super Bowl advertisements any time soon, and it’s unclear if AAA developers are even benefited by doing so. As such, while large companies such as EA may occasionally spring for a prestige slot on America’s most celebrated live event, it seems unlikely that this practice will expand greatly in the upcoming years.

With over 100 million people expected to sit down in front of the television in order to watch their favourite gladiators wrestle across the verdant field, you’d think that video game advertisement would be a no-brainer. However, what seems obvious on paper can be anything but in reality. This is one of those situations, and choosing to launch a video game-related commercial during the Super Bowl is very much a risk, one which most companies aren’t willing to take.

With there so much choice for gamers — whether you play often or only every once in a while — we’ve given you information where to download and buy your next MacBook games. Naturally, we have referred to peer-reviews to find some of the best Mac games, alongside the top-rated free Mac games.

Before downloading a game that is going to take up quite a bit of space: Do you know if your Mac is running at peak performance? Could be worth downloading CleanMyMac X to clear out junk, old files, duplicates, and other pieces of software you no longer need.

On average, Mac users find 62GB of clutter in hard drives. Leaving you plenty of space to download a new Mac game.

Here is how you free up space for games with CleanMyMac:

1. Download and launch CleanMyMac X (you can download it for free here).
2. Hit Scan and wait while CleanMyMac scans Large and Old Files, Photos, Mail, iTunes, and Trash bins for junk files that can be safely removed.
3. Hit Run and enjoy a whole lot more disk space and faster Mac.

In this article, we’ve included games from the Mac App Store and Steam. Both popular platforms, although it seems that more people downloading computer games for Mac prefer Steam. Unlike the App Store, you find out so much more about the games, can benefit from a wider range of reviews, articles, help forums and other content.

Here is our rundown of some of the best games for Mac.

Best Paid Games For Mac

1. J.U.L.I.A. Among The Stars

Why Aren't There More Games For Mac Os

Developers: CBE Software
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2014
Tech specs: Mac OS X v10.7, with an Intel dual-core processor, and at least 4GB of spare memory.
Price: $19.99
Reviews: 497 - Very Positive - on Steam

In this game, you play Rachel Manners, an astrobiologist woken from cryogenic sleep en route to a new solar system. Everyone else, including the crew, are dead. Your only companion on this voyage is J.U.L.I.A., the ships Artificial Intelligence (AI). You also have control of Mobot, a droid that can examine the planets surface, solar system and support you in the ongoing mission for intelligent alien life.

Unlike other point-and-click games, the fact that you can interact with other systems and intelligences onboard the ship makes it more realistic and interactive.

As a game, J.U.L.I.A. has an interesting history. It started life as a puzzle game for iOS devices. That version has disappeared. CBE Software, the team behind this version, had an epic journey with the original publisher. But it seems as though all of the struggle was worth it, with this game well-worth paying for, especially if you’re a fan of anything sci-fi related.

2. Layers of Fear

Developers: Aspyr Media
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2016
Tech specs: Mac OS X v10.10, with a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor, and an Intel HD6100 or discrete graphics card with 1GB VRAM. 5GB of space is recommended.
Price: $19.99
Reviews: 11,973 - Very Positive - on Steam

Aspyr are known for transforming hugely popular A-list PC games, such as the Civilization and Call Of Duty series into equally popular Mac games. Now they’ve produced an original game, working together with developers in Poland, the Bloober Team. Bloober specialises in ‘psychological horror games.’

Layers of Fear takes the fairly conventional point-and-click approach. You play a painter wandering around a pretty creepy house, on a mission to complete a masterpiece. But at the same time, parts of the game throw you in at the deep end and you have to figure out what to do next. Objects point you in the right direction to figure out what to do next.

What is really clever about this game is the slow-burn atmosphere or fear. Comparable to movies and books of this genre, you are left wondering what is really going on in the house, or whether it’s all in the head of the main character. For those who want lots of fast-paced action and fear, this may not be the right game. But for those wanting something more challenging, Layers of Fear is highly recommended.

3. Observer

Developers: Aspyr Media
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2016
Tech specs: macOS 10.12.6, with a 3GHz quad-core processor and a discrete GPU (2GB VRAM recommended).
Price: $29.99
Reviews: 1,431 - Very Positive - on Steam

A creative Indie release by Aspyr. Inspired by Blade Runner, with the voice of the main character Daniel Lazarski, played by Rutger Hauer. Observer is an intelligent and fun steampunk game, well worth buying and playing.

Why Aren't There More Games For Mac Computers

Observer is set in the year 2084, Earth devastated by war and plague, the Nanophage, with the Fifth Polish Republic in the hands of a mega-corporation, Chiron.

As Lazarski, you play an elite neural detective when you receive a strange message from his son in the dystopian slums of Krakow.

On arrival, you find a decapitated body — it may or may not be your son, so using the point-and-click controls, you are meant to search for clues. However, the game has a few tricks, such as cybernetic augmentations to enhance what you can see and detect. Another trick, known as the Dream Eater lets you probe other peoples mind. A skill you are going to need as you dive deeper into the Krakow slums.

4. Pulse

Developers: Pixel Pi Games
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2015
Tech specs: Mac OS X v10.7, with a 2.0GHz dual-core Intel processor, plus an nVidia GeForce or an ATI Radeon graphics card with 1GB VRAM
Price: $14.99

Pulse emerged thanks to support from a Kickstarter campaign, making it one of quite a few that have found a supportive audience and fans through that platform. Now you can buy it through Steam and it is becoming increasingly popular as a Mac games download.

Pulse is all about sound. Unlike most adventure games, where they rely heavily on visual cues, Pulse is set in a psychedelic world, one that forces you to use sound to get through the game. Your character is Eva, who's blind and is on a quest — something that isn’t fully explained either.

As you journey through the game you will start to understand more, supported by the sort of radar-vision used by Marvel’s Daredevil. It is not a highly-evolved game in the true sense of the word; some have described it as a little strange. But not unlike Monument Valley and Limbo, players are treat to an interesting and hypnotic experience.

5. The Banner Saga

Developers: Stoic
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2014
Tech specs: Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later, with 2GB RAM and 3GB available HD space
Price: $19.99
Reviews: 8,401 - Very Positive - on Steam

The Banner Saga was created by a 3-man team, and is a fantastic example of how, as an indie studio, you can make the best of your skills and resources.

Visually, players step inside a hand-drawn world, which some have described as Game of Thrones combining with Vikings and traditional Disney. A truly epic saga. You can pick from 25 characters, some human, others Varl, horned giants, and within both groups are different socio-economic groups, from warriors and leaders to craftsmen.

Decision making and combat blend smoothly together on this journey. It is a complex and in-depth caravan journey across a struggling world, where mistakes could threaten the safety of the caravan. Last thing you want to do is run out of food and supplies on the way to face down an enemy that threatens the entire survival of this civilization.

Players even have the option of completely different outcomes. Characters can die if they make the wrong choice, or can’t fight as well as their foes. Alongside the gameplay, the music is as haunting and epic as the landscape, with funny and witty dialogue alongside the action.

Want something a little different than epic adventures?

6. This War of Mine

Developers: 11 Bit Studios
Buy it: Mac App Store
Released: 2014
Price: $7.95
Reviews: 4.3 stars

This War of Mine is not your traditional war game.

It is based on real-life events and experiences of war survivors. You aren't a soldier, you are a civilian trying to survive living in a city during a war. Snipers prevent you or anyone in your group from going out at night. During the day, one of you needs to go on a scavenging run throughout the city, to find supplies to look after your wounded, keep you all warm, dry and fed.

Survival is everything in this game.

It starts off in the middle of winter. Careful resource management means that wood is constantly needed, to keep everyone warm, burn for fuel and keep the shelter repaired. Various decisions and the harsh realities have a psychological impact on characters in the group, and choices need to be made that aren't always easy.

This is a game which, if you want something that gets you thinking, will keep you playing long into the cold night.

Best Free Mac Games

And if you want something free and fun, here are a handful of free Mac games well-worth playing:

1. Beneath a Steel Sky

Almost like reading a detective novel in a cyberpunk future, Beneath a Steel Sky is a retro science-fiction point-and-click adventure game from 1994. It has been re-worked to run on macOS, and although the graphics aren’t great it does have real charm.

2. Cave Story

A fun, retro, somewhat pixelly 2D platform shooter game, along similar lines as Ghosts 'n Goblins or Metroid, Cave Story is cute with some solid gameplay. It includes shoot and jump mechanics, along with character and weapon evolutions and simple quests. It helps to download the English language translation patch with the game, as the original is far too confusing in Japanese.

3. Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is a role-player game - something of a cross between a traditional computer game and a text adventure. It can be quite complex but a lot of fun, as you explore a new world and build a fortress with an army of dwarfs. Once the fortress and economy is built, you can get them to mine for minerals and build an empire.

4. Hearthstone

Collecting cards may not sound a lot of fun, but with 40 million online players it is worth diving into. Players earn cards by playing daily quests and then battling online cards in matches against other gamers (in these, you can win rare cards). It is an amazing online community of players to be a part of and although there are in-app purchases you can do an awful lot for free.

Want to get your Mac running at peak performance to ensure you can play the latest games? Download CleanMyMac X today, get your Mac as good as new.

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