I did not say it is impossible, but that is impractical at this moment.

You realize that your statement just proved my points:

Proves my points 3 & 4: only to have another company do that actual work means there are still costs (time and effort) involved.

Proves my point 6 about the various distributions.

"Europa Universalis IV", "Crusader Kings II", and - i think - "XCOM enemy unknown" were ported to Linux after the development for windows.

But my main point is and stays: Galactic Civilizations is still in the development phase. Once it is fully developed there might be a port to Linux/Mac possible, because my points (2 through 7) can all be overcome by either inhouse development or by using a company like Aspyr. On that moment - if all used libraries support it - it becomes a matter of will and/or money.

It has been done for (by example) Civ V by Aspyr. But - like i stated in my post - the releases and updates trail behind the releases on windows.

So my advise is: wait till the actual release of GalCiv3 and then hope for a Linux (or Mac) port.

For Mac users, the answer is probably most of them.  OSX has been 64 bit only for 3 years now and Mac users are much better about updating to the new OS releases.

http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey

For Mac/Linux it's basically 'everyone'

I'd love to see a Mac version also. Dual booting is a pita...

+1 Mac or compatibility with VMware

Thanks for listening.

+ 1 Mac

Frogboy posted this on the Steam forums some time ago:

"Our new games, however, including GalCiv III are being made with future Mac and Linux versions in mind. Similarly, we anticipate making Offworld Trading Company available on both Mac and Linux as well."

Converted

OK...  I'm in my 40s.  And I saw the first PCs in the 80s, then the pentium class, and then the internet came along.  In those days Windows changed the world.  Especially in computer games. Then came affordable mobile phones.  With cell phones came cheap simple mobile phone games.  Then mobile gaming really got a boost with the iPhone, especially the 3GS. The iPad 2, stepped it up a big jump further(Android also has competed well all along).  I know, because my daughter wanted to be the first iPhone owner in her school (she got exactly what she wanted because I'm her papa lol).  A year and a half later I upgraded her to the newly released 3GS, but this time, while setting it up on my Windows 7 PC, which I mostly use for gaming, I spent some time checking out that iPhone 3GS.  I learned I've been missing out and decided I'd like one too.  Why?  THE GAMES!  They weren't PC certainly, but they were amazing for a phone!  It was all in one... It was my phone, Internet, with texting and a picture/video camera, e-mail, and it was touchscreen!  Being a Windows guy, I felt like a SINNER! BUT NOT FOR LONG.  For years I have purchased computer after computer.  Sometimes I'd also have a laptop.  ALL Windows, including multiple windows systems at the workplace, libraries and college computer labs.  Their okay for a while, but go online, download some songs or games, and before long using your computer will be more like digging a ball of yarn out of a briar patch!  What's the biggest issue for you and me?  The PC's shelf life on running high ended games.  It was an issue for windows in 1995, and 2005, and now in 2015.  1-2 years for these games, whether you buy the best or build it yourself you'll need new video cards.  I have no experience with Linux, though I've heard their reliable systems.  I'm no computer genius which is the reason I'm writing this piece.  I don't want to spend so much money and time on security, then repair, more security,  then some  programs for registry, then tune ups, Geeks help for a while.  Then it's time to buy another two year desktop.  Right?  No more for me!  So I chose Apple for big games, an iMac-Fusion.  This is a new concept, the first of its kind.  It combines the HARD DRIVE'S qualities for storage with SOLID STATE'S technology for speed into one interacting drive.  So, these days I've got an iPhone and an iMac, therefore if anyone calls me, they are interrupting my game, either on iOS or OS X.  And that's fine because these systems handle the incoming call and your game together, never misses a beat.  iOS, Mac, and possibly Android are stepping it up big time.  Right about now they're ready. They've got the hardware and software perfected and are building machines that will run the new high Enders of at least 2020 or more.  My iMac boots up in five seconds, I never wait around unless something's downloading.  It's all in one easy to handle piece(the display).  No need for security programs or tune-ups.  More and more big name games are available through steam, and others, by download.  Also a TREASURE of great games are available at MacGameStore.com (requires steam). Don't believe me?  Look it up.  All of this is just my opinion based upon my own experiences with Windows, iOS, and OS X systems.  Humble suggestion... Don't buy windows anything for a while.  Spend a little more and get a better setup, mobile desktop or Mac Book pro. Good luck  AND PLEASE DO GAL CIV 3 for OS X. I've been waiting for five years and now it's so limited. And Gal-Civ 2 would go great on iOS!

+1 Linux/SteamOS

Last I heard, it was dependent on how Vulkan was progressing.  Vulkan support for OS X might be up in the air, since Apple decided to go gun blazing with Metal.  But, who knows what is ultimately going to happen with it.

EDIT:::

Oof.  Just checked, and there is no current support for Vulkan for OS X (Vulkan 1.0 was released back in Feb after a delay).  I have little idea if there is any hope for it coming to OS X.

Maybe Brad or someone else will be able to chime in with more behind-the-scenes info. 

Hmmmm.

Looking about there's something called "MoltenVK" out there which is claiming to be able to run Vulkan on OS X/iOS. Eventually. (https://moltengl.com/moltenvk/)

There seems to be skepticism in some quarters as it might just be an emulation thing at work.

But, maybe?  Perhaps?  Hopefully at least, said this mostly OS X native poster.

Well it’s been a while since I posted about this subject, but fourteen months later this is where I’m at with it, my internal “Operating System Moral Code” intact.

Having changed over to Mac OS X seven years ago for home (my IT work still requires me to be supporting XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.x & Windows 10) using Windows only for games and finally ridding myself of my PC a couple of years ago, I’ve had to arrive at a compromise for a few of my favourite games. Yes, I did post earlier that I was going to miss out on this game, but in the end, I wanted to play not only Galactic Civilization III but several others as well. I wasn’t willing to re-engage in the PC market, a new solution needed to be engaged.

Crossover used to be an option for me early on in the piece and I’ve been a subscriber since 2008 until now. Unfortunately with no forth coming solid 64bit compatibility I’ve decided to drop my subscription when my current one runs out. Instead I’ve made the move over to Parallels for my games that have no OS X port or native version. VMware is my option for other Windows applications that I’m required to use or support but for gaming my experience is that Parallels is the superior product. They put a great deal of effort into support games with significant hardware requirements and currently support both 64bit Windows (up to Windows 10) AND DirectX 10. I can provision a VM with 2 CPU cores, and 16 Gig of RAM and 2 Gig of Video Memory. So far this has played everything I’ve thrown at it that I need to continue to play under the Windows OS.

So now I can run Skyrim, Supreme Commander (Forged Alliance, NOT 2), Distant Worlds Universe, Galactic Civilisation III, Neverwinter Nights 2, Metro Last Light, Sorcerer King, Elemental & Fallen Enchantress. I even had Anno 2070 running as problematic as that was for a lot of users! All of these are running as flawlessly as they would in a Non Virtual Environment, and Parallels is usable for those even without an IT background. I’ve even pre-purchased Ashes of the Singularity in the hope that once DirectX 11 is supported under Parallels, I’ll be playing that. Unfortunately I must have misread the minimum specifications at some time and thought DirectX 10 was the minimum rather than Version 11. However I’m confident that Parallels is putting work into that in background now, as they know a significant chunk of their market is the performance of Windows Games in their product versus VMware’s.

The reality is that we DO have three different Operating Systems in the mainstream (many others outside that) and are likely to for quite a while yet. We make our choices based on both our needs and our preferences. Those of us who can make our preferences meet our needs are often as lucky as skilful.

Instead of having a Chest Beating Display, we should be constructively encouraging Stardock to natively support our preferred Operating Systems as well by voicing our support and then voting with our pockets when they eventually do step outside the Windows Environment again. They stepped out of OS/2 years ago to go where they saw the best business opportunities flourishing, and they will again if it’s shown to be feasible.

I’m somewhat disappointed that I need to buy a VM Environment to play I wish to continue to play, but $100 AU (approx) is a small price for me to pay to continue to be able to play the games I’ve listed above. It’s not like I haven’t spend more than that on my games in the first place. The longer I can play those games while streamlining my hardware investment the better off I am really, and the longer I get to enjoy those games.

So I continue to Petition for native versions in my preferred Operating System, and I WILL vote with my dollar if there’s the opportunity to do so.

+1 for native MacOS games. I went looking for a new game on steam and saw GalCiv3 and thought "Awesome, I love Stardock Games", then realised that you're one of the developers still dragging their heels and I can't play without VM. Looks like I'll have to spend my money with another developer.