Phoenix and Crossover Games?

[TheBum]

Crossover Games is a new application for Mac OS X and Linux based on the WINE project that allows some Windows games to run without having to run Windows.

http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxgames/

Has anybody tried this with Phoenix yet? The support page says Phoenix is untested, but that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't work. I plan to give it a shot this weekend, but it'd be nice to hear some reports in the meantime. If it really doesn't work, we need Mac- and Linux-using HeliFreaks to petition Codeweavers to add support for it. I suspect one of the big issues will be getting it to recognize the USB dongle.

Here's the link to the application compatibility page for Phoenix:
http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/browse/cat/?app_id=4134

[TheBum]

Didn't work. Bummer!

I couldn't even get Phoenix to install in the "bottle"; the installer was looking for Wordpad and maybe some other Windows apps.

[HeliMix]

HFG uses bootcamp with Phoenix. You may look into it.

[TheBum]

Oh, I have Boot Camp and have used it, but since I like to sim for several minutes and then take a break to do something else, it's too much hassle to reboot into Windows every time I want to sim and then back into OS X to do the "other stuff". I'm looking for any way to sim inside OS X at close to native speeds; Parallels comes close, but not close enough, especially when doing online sessions.

I have submitted a request to be an advocate. We'll see if they take me up on it.

[HeliMix]

Ah, I got ya (and don't blame you).

[treaves]

Crossover - or WINE - will not work, as they do not have USB support for the Mac.

[TheBum]

Crossover - or WINE - will not work, as they do not have USB support for the Mac.
How is Crossover Games working with the following then?

World of Warcraft
EVE Online
Guild Wars
Prey
Half-Life 2
Team Fortress 2
Counterstrike
Counterstrike: Source
Civilization IV
Peggle Extreme
Call of Duty 2
Max Payne 2
Grand Theft Auto 2

(List taken from the Codeweavers website (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxgames/).)

[treaves]

http://www.codeweavers.com/support/forums/general/?t=27;mhl=34213;msg=34212#msg34213

[TheBum]

http://www.codeweavers.com/support/forums/general/?t=27;mhl=34213;msg=34212#msg34213
That sucks. So, do none of the supported games require a USB controller for decent game play? I would think trying to use the keyboard for a lot of games wouldn't be worth the effort.

[treaves]

I'm not sure; it could be that if it is a standard controller that the Mac would recognize (which it does the USB game controllers) will work, but ones requiring special drivers (line the SIM one) will not work.

[TheBum]

I'm wondering what sort of data protocol is used on the output of the Phoenix dongle. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's just standard serial, in which case Crossover should be able to pass it through with the right OS X serial driver:

http://www.codeweavers.com/support/wiki/USBtoSerial

[vetterick]

I just can't figgure out why you guys don't just buy a 3 year old Windows system for $150 and run Phoenix and all the other software on that, you can use the Mac for whatever its good for.

I'm really not trying to start a fight, I just don't get it.

[TheBum]

I just can't figgure out why you guys don't just buy a 3 year old Windows system for $150 and run Phoenix and all the other software on that, you can use the Mac for whatever its good for.

I'm really not trying to start a fight, I just don't get it.
I want something portable. I use a 15" MacBook Pro, which has a gorgeous screen. Used Windows laptops are going to be quite a bit more expensive and probably won't come near the screen quality unless I go really high end.

I've been accepted as a Phoenix "advocate" for Crossover Games, but I don't expect anything to come out of it considering their stance on USB support.