Thu, Feb 16, 2012 | 21:57 GMT
OS-X Mountain Lion to block non-App Store games
The next major update to OS-X will introduce another barrier to Mac gaming.
Mountain Lion will introduce a new security feature called Gatekeeper, according to Gamasutra. By default, the system will block games and applications purchased or obtained outside Apple’s closed App Store offerings.
Although users can disable the feature (or ramp it up), on first install Gatekeeper will stand between users and games bought from third party stores, distributed by individual indies, or sold through schemes like the Humble Bundle.
It’s not clear whether Gatekeeper will have an effect on Steam installs; the Steam app itself is not available through the App Store.
Luckily, developers can circumnavigate the system by obtaining an official Apple Developer ID , which costs $99 per year.
Mountain Lion, which is expected in northern summer as a premium upgrade, will also add Game Center to desktops and laptops. The iOS social network has 100 million registered users on iDevices, and its appearance in OS-X should allow for cross-platform multiplayer.
14 
Posted in: App Store, Apple, Mac, iOS
Tags: Gatekeeper, OS-X Mountain Lion
14 comments
#1
KrazyKraut
16/02/12, 10:53 pm
Sometimes I think to swim in a very very very bad dream…
#2
Fin
16/02/12, 11:10 pm
I’m reasonably concerned OS X will eventually converge with iOS, where it’ll be a locked-down system, only able to run things Apple says you can run, no access to the system.
#3
Hunam
16/02/12, 11:21 pm
Didn’t we all agree that Lion was terrible?
Why are they making it more terrible?
#4
freedoms_stain
16/02/12, 11:50 pm
It’s probably to increase the false sense of security Apple fans simply because they use Apple products.
We’ll just gloss over the news of the last week that all those social network apps on iOS are copying your contact details without consent in direct violation of Apples own guidelines. Because that would be an uncomfortable truth.
#5
GrimRita
17/02/12, 12:15 am
So Apple wanted to expand their tard machines in to gaming – Steam, amongst others have helped them to do that, and now they want to kick them in the balls.
Its about time those Euro tossers looked into how Apple do business, because if this was Microsoft, there would be an instant investigation.
#6
strikkebil
17/02/12, 12:15 am
is that even legal?
#7
Phoenixblight
17/02/12, 12:20 am
@6
Yes its completely legal.
#8
absolutezero
17/02/12, 12:34 am
Please stop buying Apple products, there are better less expensive comparable products for everything they produce.
Please stop. Please it actually hurts.
#9
Colin Gallacher
17/02/12, 1:09 am
Sounds quite similar to User Account Control on Windows. In the Vista beta, UAC would barely let you do anything without you having to turn it down or off.
#10
freedoms_stain
17/02/12, 1:30 am
@9, you could argue a case, but UAC is universal for the system (unless you turn it off).
Apples system is essentially annoyanceware for any software that Apple isn’t getting a kickback from, and that’s a little bit shady.
#11
Colin Gallacher
17/02/12, 2:27 am
@10
You can turn it off though? It’s really a non-issue for us.
#12
DSB
17/02/12, 2:44 am
Sounds like mindlessly indulging people’s paranoia while possibly making a nice buck.
I don’t think Apple can continue going down that route. They’ve had a lot of good faith thrown their way thanks to the iPhone and iPod, but that’s coming to an end.
#13
Old MacDonald
17/02/12, 8:20 am
Sounds dreadful.
#14
Da Man
17/02/12, 11:31 am
Well, you can thank those young men trying out new things via Rapidshare anyway.
Typical knee jerk reactions are typical though, noone is taking your shitty Steam from anyone.
And yes it increases security, if you look at all the malware and virus software on Android marketplace it’s very noticeable.