FOF8 on a Mac

[Pyser]

I got FOF7 to work through Wine pretty easily on my mac. Now that FOF8 looks like it's exclusively through Steam, I thought this might be a good place for us all to put our heads together to get it to run.

I used Wineskin for FOF7, which was 80% great (had to import/export through external FTP client for multiplayer, and never got box scores to open).

Please share any tips or success stories getting FOF8 running through Steam on your mac.

[SegRat]

I'm going to try it on Parrallels.

[nilodor]

I'm going to try it on Parrallels.

+1

[ezlee2]

I use VMWare Fusion and have for years

[kcchief19]

I had no problems with FOF7 digital release using CrossOver, but never got it to work with the Steam version. I'm on Parallels 11 with Windows 10 now though and plan to try that with FOF8.

[SegRat]

Seems to be working using parallels

[Pyser]

Wineskin was giving me major problems, but I found PlayOnMac which worked, and was still free.

The guide in the link below was set up to install a different game, but it's the program that got me into Steam (vs WineSkin, which didn't)

Once you do this and actually run Steam, be prepared to wait a while (maybe up to a half hour?) while it updates Steam or pretends to update or whatever. It took a long time, but finally worked. Once it worked, I quit and reloaded Steam and it logged in right away. So was just that first time. Enjoy, mac users!

Steam Community :: Guide :: Playing on Mac using Wine (No Bootcamp, No VM) (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=247537337)

[totoro]

Have FOF8 installed on Parallels and running.

[digamma]

For the folks using Parallels, are you using a separate version of steam you download through the Windows virtual machine or are you able to just buy and download through the mac version and then run the program in Parallels?

[SegRat]

No I installed steam on Parellel and purchased FOF8 that way.

[kcchief19]

Running on Parallels 11 with Windows 10 with relatively no issues. Little sluggish opening up the browser for box scores the first time. My resources were a bit stressed tough because I had a few other things open and Windows was running updates.

Had issue with FOF7 with the scoreboard, but all appears well for now.

[digamma]

Also running smoothly using Parallels now.

[Squirrel]

Appreciate this isn't what you're asking Pyser but I play FOF on a Mac through boot camp. Fine for FOF 8 just as it was for 7.

It does look though like my 2011 MacBook Air is starting to get a bit outgunned by FOF 8. 50 year quick sim attempts are not for the faint hearted.

[Logan]

I've been Mac only at home for a while now. Just ordered a Chromebook. Will I be able to play this new version on it? I'm so out of the loop on computer gaming.

[lungs]

I skipped the last version of FOF. Couldn't resist this time. Pulled out an old cheap HP laptop and FOF8 works fine on there. But my goodness, I would much prefer to play on my Mac without jumping through hoops.

[henry296]

Thanks for the PlayOnMac tip. I installed it and then steam and then bought FOF8. No issues so far on a new MacBook Air.

[Icy]

Wineskin was giving me major problems, but I found PlayOnMac which worked, and was still free.

The guide in the link below was set up to install a different game, but it's the program that got me into Steam (vs WineSkin, which didn't)

Once you do this and actually run Steam, be prepared to wait a while (maybe up to a half hour?) while it updates Steam or pretends to update or whatever. It took a long time, but finally worked. Once it worked, I quit and reloaded Steam and it logged in right away. So was just that first time. Enjoy, mac users!

Steam Community :: Guide :: Playing on Mac using Wine (No Bootcamp, No VM) (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=247537337)

Awesome thanks!! installing FOF8 and some windows wargames using this!

I have windows 10 in bootcamp installed but hate to reboot every time.

[henry296]

For those using PlayOnMac, are you able to see the play diagrams or the field when watching a game?

[lungs]

Ok, PlayonMac was hardly jumping through hoops. It's great to be able to play FOF on Mac!

[fortheglory]

Does anyone have a step by step guide of instructions on exactly how to use playonmac? I'm not very computer savvy. Any help is greatly apppreciated.

[henry296]

1. Go to playonmac.com and download and install the application. It asked me to install something else.
2. Launch playonmac application
3. Install Steam from PlayOnMac.
4. Purchase FOF
5. Launch PlayOnMac and open steam.
6. Select FOF from within Steam and select Play.

[fortheglory]

Ok...my question is this? I already have steam installed, and have other games I use on my mac platform. Does this matter? Do I have to uninstall steam?

[lungs]

Ok...my question is this? I already have steam installed, and have other games I use on my mac platform. Does this matter? Do I have to uninstall steam?

No, you will have two versions of Steam, one will run through PlayonMac

[fortheglory]

Ok...thank you very much

[fortheglory]

One more question if you don't mind...will it be possible to ultizile mods such as logos and such?

[lungs]

Haven't tried that yet....

[fortheglory]

there must be a way....just need to locate the proper folders

[fortheglory]

I found a way...from playitonmac...go to open the directory....to "steamapps"...go to "common"...then to FOF 8 and to pictures.

[bigkarlo1]

I use Crossover with no issues yet.

[Pyser]

Anyone up and running in a FOF8 multiplayer league on a mac?

Had to use FTP to import stage files in last version, but having problems with FTP in new version. Looking for a little help.

[AboveNiagara]

Anyone else having trouble getting the scoreboard / play diagrams to show up? I've tried running FOF8 via Crossover and PlayOnMac and everything works fine except for that. I even tried subbing out the scoreboard.bmp file for a custom one I saw on this forum...basically same result (I see a tiny image in top right where scoreboard should be. Was black before, now red).

Anyone have any ideas how to fix?

I'm on a Macbook Air from a couple years ago but can't imagine these lo-tech graphics are an issue.

[Ben E Lou]

Anyone up and running in a FOF8 multiplayer league on a mac?

Had to use FTP to import stage files in last version, but having problems with FTP in new version. Looking for a little help.I've realized the issue with this: the files are now being compressed, which is great for upload/download speeds, but (apparently) not helpful for people using an FTP client. Apparently FOF8 is taking care of the compression/decompression as part of the upload/download processes.

I'll be re-instituting the auto-backup process in my leagues, which will mean that a zip file will automatically be uploaded as part of the regular sim process. Worse-case scenario is that you can grab that file and unzip it into the /leagues folder, FOF2K7-style. We'll find out later today, I guess, if the in-game FTP works for you post Allocation Draft.

[henry296]

Anyone else having trouble getting the scoreboard / play diagrams to show up? I've tried running FOF8 via Crossover and PlayOnMac and everything works fine except for that. I even tried subbing out the scoreboard.bmp file for a custom one I saw on this forum...basically same result (I see a tiny image in top right where scoreboard should be. Was black before, now red).

Anyone have any ideas how to fix?

I'm on a Macbook Air from a couple years ago but can't imagine these lo-tech graphics are an issue.

Same issue for me on PlayOnMac.

[Pyser]

I've realized the issue with this: the files are now being compressed, which is great for upload/download speeds, but (apparently) not helpful for people using an FTP client. Apparently FOF8 is taking care of the compression/decompression as part of the upload/download processes.

I'll be re-instituting the auto-backup process in my leagues, which will mean that a zip file will automatically be uploaded as part of the regular sim process. Worse-case scenario is that you can grab that file and unzip it into the /leagues folder, FOF2K7-style. We'll find out later today, I guess, if the in-game FTP works for you post Allocation Draft.

great news, thanks ben! i dont see the zip in todays file, will check again tomorrow

[Ben E Lou]

great news, thanks ben! i dont see the zip in todays file, will check again tomorrowIt's now linked from the top of the forum.

CCFL Forum (http://ccfl.fof-belco.com/forum/forum.php)

Index of /files (http://ccfl.fof-belco.com/files/?C=M;O=D)

[Ben E Lou]

I'll be re-instituting the auto-backup process in my leagues, which will mean that a zip file will automatically be uploaded as part of the regular sim process. Worse-case scenario is that you can grab that file and unzip it into the /leagues folder, FOF2K7-style. We'll find out later today, I guess, if the in-game FTP works for you post Allocation Draft.To pyser...

1. Did you try importing in-game and that failed?
2. The good news is that having to pull some of the files (instead of all of them like I could when they were in the /export directory uncompressed) for copying forced me to move them *somewhere* on my local drive before uploading them to the server, so it seemed logical to make that a dropbox folder, which of course means that everything gets backed up.

[Pyser]

To pyser...

1. Did you try importing in-game and that failed?
2. The good news is that having to pull some of the files (instead of all of them like I could when they were in the /export directory uncompressed) for copying forced me to move them *somewhere* on my local drive before uploading them to the server, so it seemed logical to make that a dropbox folder, which of course means that everything gets backed up.

1. Yes, any time I hit import I get "Import Succeeded. But no saved game was downloaded from the server. Please check with your commissioner."

2. GREATLY appreciated Ben. Sorry this is a such a pain. If this is an easy enough workaround for you (in multiple leagues) allowing me to stay in them, I'd be thrilled. If it's a pain in the butt every single export in 2-3 leagues just for me (well, and one other GML owner I know of), then I understand.

[Pyser]

This worked Ben, up and running!

[Ben E Lou]

2. GREATLY appreciated Ben. Sorry this is a such a pain. If this is an easy enough workaround for you (in multiple leagues) allowing me to stay in them, I'd be thrilled. If it's a pain in the butt every single export in 2-3 leagues just for me (well, and one other GML owner I know of), then I understand.Not a huge deal. To be clear, all of this...2. The good news is that having to pull some of the files (instead of all of them like I could when they were in the /export directory uncompressed) for copying forced me to move them *somewhere* on my local drive before uploading them to the server, so it seemed logical to make that a dropbox folder, which of course means that everything gets backed up."...is being done via code now. I spent a little over an hour this morning researching/coding/testing how to do it, but it's now done, will be used for today's midweek file, and it'll take like 5 minutes each to implement it for FOOL/GML/IHOF when the time comes for them. After that initial investment of time, it ends up being one extra click per sim to generate the zip file.

[fortheglory]

Can't get the graphics to work at all...so I guess I made a donation. For anyone wondering if FOF works on mac...the answer is "sort" of, but not really.

[yabanci]

Can't get the graphics to work at all...so I guess I made a donation. For anyone wondering if FOF works on mac...the answer is "sort" of, but not really.

maybe make a donation to Parallels if you can stomach it. Works fine with no hassle.

you can get version 11, which is what I use, for $30 right now (the thieves want $80 for ver. 12).

http://amzn.to/2hY1xFh

[Pyser]

maybe make a donation to Parallels if you can stomach it. Works fine with no hassle.

you can get version 11, which is what I use, for $30 right now (the thieves want $80 for ver. 12).

Amazon.com: Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac (http://amzn.to/2hY1xFh)

are you set up in any mp leagues? if so, does parallels work in game for importing and exporting?

[yabanci]

no, only single player so haven't tried it. Can't imagine it wouldn't work though. In three years I haven't come across anything that doesn't work exactly the same as on my windows pc.

[Hobart]

are you set up in any mp leagues? if so, does parallels work in game for importing and exporting?

I use parallels and have had no problem so far with CCFL in game imports and exports.

[digamma]

I also have played MP successfully on a Mac.

[Pyser]

I also have played MP successfully on a Mac.

with fof8?

[digamma]

Yes, well, I've downloaded and uploaded a stage file successfully via the in game FTP.

[Pyser]

good to know. ben cracked the problem for importing in fof8 on a mac, but my first export was corrupt. 2nd worked. if problems persist, i'll switch to parallels

[fortheglory]

the only issue with parallels, is I believe it creates a partian in the hard drive ( I think) and that's not something I would want to do. Can anyone confirm?

[TAFIV]

the only issue with parallels, is I believe it creates a partian in the hard drive ( I think) and that's not something I would want to do. Can anyone confirm?

that's not actually possible, to make a new partition on a drive would require you to format the drive which would then require you to reinstall your OS.

i don't use it, but if anything it may be creating a virtual drive on your computer which is plausible since its emulating an entire operating system

[digamma]

Parallels is a virtual machine set up, and you do have to size it at installation. I haven't had any issues, but there are guides to resize if you do.

[Young Drachma]

I use TeamViewer to play Windows games from my laptop on my Mac. For those who don't wanna use Parallels, but have another Windows machine somewhere they can just leave on remotely or whatever when you want to play.

[sjshaw]

I have an extra (brand-new) copy of Parallels I can sell at a significant savings off the list price. I run FOF 7 and now 8 on Parallels and it works fine.

PM me if you want to buy the copy.

[fortheglory]

I am not going to bother installing parallels, as I don't want to screw around with my drive. I really wish Jim would just release a Mac version of FOF. Is it really that hard? OOTP & FM do this without too much trouble each year.

[digamma]

For a single developer, I understand it is quite hard. OOTP and FM have teams working on this.

[sjshaw]

I am not going to bother installing parallels, as I don't want to screw around with my drive. I really wish Jim would just release a Mac version of FOF. Is it really that hard? OOTP & FM do this without too much trouble each year.

It doesn't do anything to your drive. It stores the virtual machine in a file.

[Pyser]

I think it's time to declare PlayOnMac is not a solution for FOF8. It works well for single player, but MP seems to have too many issues.

The biggest issue is the playbook. Leading up to training camp I created a playbook 3 separate times, and it didn't take. Once you get to exhibition and regular season games, the game will not let you submit an export without a playbook.

The commish has the power to export a playbook for you, which I've done twice now. But on each new import of a stage file, the playbook disappears again. I backed up leaguename.fpc, and it's actually been in my league folders the whole time, but I guess the game doesn't recognize it.

If anyone has any luck, let me know.

I think I'll have to ask around for some windows discs so I can try Parallels.

[fortheglory]

OK parallels isn't cheap...that's for sure...but do ups also have to purchase Windows also?

[digamma]

For Parallels you do need a Windows license. You may be able to find a cheaper older version of parallels or a student license.

[yabanci]

I use TeamViewer to play Windows games from my laptop on my Mac. For those who don't wanna use Parallels, but have another Windows machine somewhere they can just leave on remotely or whatever when you want to play.

This is a good option if you have a pc around to run the game. I've used Splashtop Streamer in the past with no problem. Any program of this type would work, I would think.

[Pyser]

I should update this:

PlayOnMac DOES work for multiplayer. Turns out I had a file in my leagues folder that I shouldn't have, which messed up the playbook option. Now that it's fixed, PlayOnMac works, and is free.

[henry296]

I should update this:

PlayOnMac DOES work for multiplayer. Turns out I had a file in my leagues folder that I shouldn't have, which messed up the playbook option. Now that it's fixed, PlayOnMac works, and is free.

Do you have any graphic issues with watching games or the end of the year score screen with PlayOnMac.

[Pyser]

Ive never watched a game, but yeah, some graphics are wonky. I think play diagrams in the playbook dont work either.

[zsteelers]

Pyser, i'm trying to set-up FOF8 MP on PlayOnMac -- having issues similar to yours.

Would appreciate a lot if you could share how you solved the issues for MP on PlayOnMac

thanks

[Squirrel]

Appreciate this isn't what you're asking Pyser but I play FOF on a Mac through boot camp. Fine for FOF 8 just as it was for 7.

It does look though like my 2011 MacBook Air is starting to get a bit outgunned by FOF 8. 50 year quick sim attempts are not for the faint hearted.

OK so I upgraded my 2012 macbook Air to a 2015 macbook pro, only to find support for Windows 7 in bootcamp has been removed. So now I either need to 'upgrade' to Windows 10, so run somethink like playonmac.

I don't particularly like that for FOF, and I really don't like that for Excel, which is the main thing I use computers for. Ugh.

[zsteelers]

I intended to post my solution here for FOF on a Mac but never had the chance to do so, but better late than never!

The best compromise I found was to install Oracle's virtualbox (free), and then install a Windows 10 Virtual Machine (free as well for 90 days). Install Steam, and FOF is ready to go.

I don't have any issues with windows out of place, the scoreboard not showing up, or the end-of-the-year evaluation screen being cropped out as I had with playonmac.

After 89 days, I have to back up my Solecismic software folder, reinstall the virtual machine and move my Solecismic software folder backup back there.

[Squirrel]

An update.

First I tried Parallels, FOF seemed fine but Excel wasn't usable. Too frustrating.

So I installed Windows 10 into bootcamp (reminder: this is in my 'new' Macbook Pro early 2015, where bootcamp won't let you install windows 7)

Windows 10 is fine, though it tries far harder than windows 7 to install unwanted microsoft stuff which is annoying, and it forcefully downloads updates from time to time which is also annoying. I'd prefer windows 7 if I could choose. I won't be upgrading to windows 10 on my desktop PC.

FOF 8 works well and is quick. The only problem is I can't get it to look right on the retina display, so the text looks fuzzy. I tend to play FOF mostly outside the game anyway through the CSVs in Excel, so it's OK for me, but if I didn't use FOF like this it would be sub-optimal.

Excel is great and alone was worth the upgrade, even accounting for the gripes noted above. Much faster when dealing with big data sets / computational load than my 2012 macbook air.

[razzledalzell]

Newbie to FOF and Mac user here...

I'm having the graphic issues using PlayOnMac that other have described. Seems like the play diagrams don't show up, and the scoreboard in-game doesn't show up. Is there a work around for this?

I've tried using virtual box with windows 10, but I don't think my older Mac has the horsepower for it.

[razzledalzell]

Just tried installing via winebottler as well. Same issue. No scoreboards or play diagrams.

[Ushikawa]

So I need to install on a Mac, what is the consensus here, PlayonMac or Parallels?

I only do MP.