Waiting for Left 4 Dead on the Mac? Wait a little longer

Actually the problems I have with Steam are not uncommon, just not rampant to the point that it makes it unusable for everyone. My biggest complaint is the DRM. However because this was a discussion about a mac impelmentation of Steam, I thought I'd avoid the hotter DRM discussions.

I don't like DRM - in any format. This is what (generally) breaks stuff. I have been beta testing since the early 90s both hardware and software, and I continue to do so. I am not inexperienced or a buffoon about this, nor do I stumble on my opinions.

I have enabled several of my older games on one of my machines to play through Steam, without issues. Adding something (in this case a DRM wedge) will always add the potential of problems - more variables will do that.

Given the choice I will do without Steam (or it's ilk in other instances). Without the choice ("Steam is the future of gaming") it will just have to do - we tend to adapt even when it's distasteful or painful.

And I will continue to beta test.

I just made a video on how to get the leaked beta working (my special way).
The beta is more of a preview, as none of the valve games actually work and you have to load your own games onto it.

Here is the link for anybody who wants in on the early beta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_JX3GLnc6Y

I know a few people have been in the beta for a few weeks now and we've even seen video posted of the Steam client ( http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/63443 ), however I haven't seen any actual games being launched from it. I'm going to keep holding out hope for Steam.app to be released by the end of the week because Valve just finished their general UI beta today ( http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/63401 ) and launched some new content for L4D2 last weekend, so I expect they'll want to get that into anxious Mac-user hands as quickly as possible.

you mean L4D on OS X, cuz I play it just fine on my mac.

I bought "F.E.A.R." for PC, and damaged one of the disc needed to satisfy their DRM... the game is trash. With Steam, I play games I bought many years ago, from any computer I use my simply username and password. I have NEVER had any issues.

Steam is the future of computer gaming, and I am SO excited it's soon to arrive on the Mac.

I have several games I've beta'd through steam. In fact the last, Global Agenda is a nice game but, everytime there is an update, I have to uninstall from steam, and reinstall the game. This is not the only area I've had issues with Steam/Valve. I dislike the wedge between a product I bought/own, and a client on my hardware.

Steam is not worth it, IMNSHO. I can certainly understand the attraction from a business perspective, and don't fault the game companies - just that it doesn't work wonderfully on PC environments, I doubt it's going to be better in the Mac environment.

I'll wait

psst! I have a secret to tell you.

http://store.steampowered.com/macbeta/welcome/

That message came up like the weekend before last :p

Or you could play Left 4 Dead, Half-Life, and so on on the Mac today using Crossover Games! Works fine!
http://www.codeweavers.com