I'm pretty sure Mac OSX could if you tried. It's based on Linux (Darwin I think) and therefore would be able to run WINE. Do a google search for WINE and Mac OSX. Find out how to get WINE running with your mac.
Next, Look up WINE and Freelancer. Find out how to install it. Shouldn't really be all that hard, especially if you have any experience with the console. Well, I actually doubt that you do, why own a Mac if you're going to use a console rather than a GUI? In any case, if you run into snags, let me know.
' Wrote:I'm pretty sure Mac OSX could if you tried. It's based on Linux (Darwin I think) and therefore would be able to run WINE. Do a google search for WINE and Mac OSX. Find out how to get WINE running with your mac.
Next, Look up WINE and Freelancer. Find out how to install it. Shouldn't really be all that hard, especially if you have any experience with the console. Well, I actually doubt that you do, why own a Mac if you're going to use a console rather than a GUI? In any case, if you run into snags, let me know.
You're actually entirely wrong. Mac OS X is not based on or related to Linux at all except in its nature as a UNIX like OS. The XNU kernel which Mac uses it actually derived from a hybridization of the 2.5 Mach kernel along with some borrowed components from BSD 4.3.
Because of this nature it is possible to run Linux and other UNIX baseed applications on Mac OS, but it isn't always easy. Notably Fink does a fairly good job of proting GNU software to Mac. There is also a port of WINE for Mac referred to as DARWINE.
WINE has never been capable of supporting FL with online play consistently or easily however.
Bootcamp is another option, but save installing another OS entirely as a last option. It takes time and simply isn't worth the effort for one application usually.
Your third and best option is Cider, games using the Cider framework run nearly flawlessly in most cases under Mac OS X 10.5.X. I'm not sure about 10.4.X and lower however.
You can find guides and information relating to Cider online, however I will not be linking.
Correct me if I'm wrong but... isn't it possible to install windows on a Mac computer? You could make a partition of your hard drive and install Windows onto it then run Freelancer from that.
Yes, that is what Boot Camp is for, which has already been mentioned in this topic.
As for getting FL to work in OS X, your chances are considerably higher if you have an Intel-based Mac, as most of the mentioned options are only available to them. (Cider, Boot Camp, etc.)
You may be able to get a PPC version of DarWINE, but you'll need a fairly fast Mac to run it with any sort of speed. (Say, anything that you can run Leopard on)
Another option for the PPC Macs is VirtualPC 7, although good luck finding a copy of it since Microsoft cut off development about the time Boot Camp was announced. The video emulation might not be up to handling Freelancer either.
' Wrote:Your third and best option is Cider, games using the Cider framework run nearly flawlessly in most cases under Mac OS X 10.5.X. I'm not sure about 10.4.X and lower however.
I tried running Freelancer under Cider in OSX 10.5.7 on my Intel Mac and it was very buggy and I was never able to actually get in-game. I would suggest that you use Bootcamp if you have an Intel Mac. If you have a PPC Mac then there aren't really any solutions out there.