DYLAN MCNAMEE  Does the PC version available for $5.99 from http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/descent_1_descent_2 work?  
(Version 1.14.60)

PLASTERPYRUS  Why does this developer give such erroneous information about where to get a copy of Descent 2 where all I've gotten of the suggestions is strike outs. I own Descent for OS9 but that wont work and the one that you could get from MacUpdate D2X, is no longer available and I don't even know if that would work.   
(Version 1.14.60)

HUXLEY  Huh. This new version's .DMG image file won't mount for me. Is anyone else having any luck?  
(Version 1.14.19)

DYLAN MCNAMEE  Where does one get a copy of Descent &/or Descent 2? They aren't available anywhere in "jewel box" form, from what I can see.  
(Version 1.13.48)

JEFFREY MCPHEETERS  Okay, the latest 1.9.116 version still crashes at launch on any of our G3 iBooks, even though they have the video ram qualifications to play the game. They work on older version 1.9.66 and previous, but the 3rd party missions are not available on those versions.

On the PowerMac G5 and the PowerBook G4s the latest version continues to work fine and restores the functionality of 3rd party missions. That's a good sign. Just wish all our iBooks would also work with this so everyone could join the same mission.  
(Version 1.9.116)

JEFFREY MCPHEETERS  This is a much needed work in progress, and hopefully will see fulfillment in a truly stable, cross-platform release in the not too distant future. As it is, if you are a Descent lover, remember to keep the incremental updates around, just in case a new update breaks on your particular setup. That way you can get back to the older version and continue playing at least.

1.9.69 and 1.9.91, the most recent updates, are broken on our iBook G3s. 1.9.69 just freezes in the startup screen, leaving a black, blank window. It eventually crashes after a few minutes. 1.9.91 crashes almost immediately on launch. So we continue to use 1.9.66 as the most recent version that works on those.

1.9.69 and 1.9.91 do work fine on the G4 PowerBook and the PowerMac G5.

3rd party missions also no longer work on any of our systems, iBooks, Powerbooks, or G5s. They just are not being read by the program. I've heard from other Mac users that the missions recently stopped working for them as well. Hopefully we'll get a fix for this. Someone is looking into it.

Overall, the game plays very well, considering the difficulty the developers must have in attempting to do what they are doing without much funding or support. Kudos to them for the time and effort put in to what I think was one of the all time best 3D games ever devised.  
(Version 1.9.91)

CYBERCAT  Many thanks to the makers of this for creating it, AND keeping it up to date! Plays great on my Mac mini, it's wonderful that this old classic is once again playable on modern operating systems. Make sure to read the readme document included with the download and follow the instructions carefully.

I ended up not being able to just copy the plain old files directly from my Descent 2 CD and instead had to actually install Descent 2 on my Windows XP machine, then copy the files from the install directory to the data folder (which you create) on my mac.

Once again, top notch!  
(Version 1.6.171)

KAIOMAI  Am I missing the option for fullscreen mode?  
(Version 1.6.171)

LKEARL  I commented earlier that D2X-XL 1.6.162 runs well on my iMac G5. Since that time I have received repeatable invalid polygon error messages at the end of level 3 where you come around a corner to see the reactor that shoots the red balls. Whether I approach from the left corner or the right corner I get the same error message. So I've changed to using D2X and it works well, but the mouse isn't as responsive as on D2X-XL. If not for this invalid polygon error, I'd keep using D2X-XL.  
(Version 1.6.170)

LKEARL  On my Mac Pro I get an error message about invalid polygons or something like that before the start screen even gets the menu text on it (it's at home and I'm at work).

On my iMac G5 it works great. What a blast to be playing Descent2 again! I need to find my CD with the Descent1 levels and see how that goes.  
(Version 1.6.162)

RAMPANCY  The game works great now! I had to start a new player profile instead of using the default player included.

The only problem is that for me, loading and saving games is broken - when I load a game I get the black transparent walls bug mentioned on the D2X forums.   
(Version 1.6.130)

RAMPANCY  Like the last version, the game crashes when a missile or a laser beam strikes a door.

If one of the devs wants a crash log, I'm happy to send it their way.  
(Version 1.6.122)

JKXZDF  Still can't play the Descent 1 mission due to the app crashing while loading it. Can't play any of the 3rd party levels on the developer's site since the app doesn't recognize them (some are in that "exe" format and require windows). Saved games still don't work when resumed (just tried a save/resume).  
(Version 1.6.122)

JKXZDF  This game works now. Though my Flightstick Pro USB doesn't work yet the mouse works.  
(Version 1.6.109)

MZEB  First and foremost, I love it. I dug up my old pc version and it's running great on my MacBook. There was one catch, and that was that I had to update my version of the SDL, but if that's the worst of it then no complaints.

Second, I'm a Mac dev with C/C++ skills, If you want a hand with the Mac port let me know (sorry no $$ to donate yet...). Just reply here.  
(Version 1.5.172)

KARX11ERX  As v1.5.172 for OS X is causing problems for some users, you can download the previous version (1.5.147) from my Descent site.

OS X development is currently on hold as I don't own a Mac and the OS X developers have moved on to other things. You can donate and support my efforts by helping me to purchase a Mac myself so that I can provide up-to-date D2X-XL versions for OS X.  
(Version 1.5.172)

KARX11ERX  Please re-download v1.5.147 - I forgot to update the rpm download on my web site. My apologies.

Dietfrid Mali  
(Version 1.5.147)

GEOFFREY HUTCHISON  Had problems initially, since I didn't see the notes that D2X-XL wouldn't work with the demo data.

Fortunately, a friend had Descent 2 around.

Lots of fun! I've had one or two strange crashes (sorry, can't reproduce them)

But D2X-XL is definitely the best. Give it a try with the original game data and you won't be sorry!  
(Version 1.5.111)

HALPRIN  This is absolutely awesome! You are doing a great job there! Works beautifully!  
(Version 1.5.103)

PAUL DORMAN  D2X-XL is pretty solid. I haven't tried running it without the D2 installation, but I was able to run the D1 missions.

D2X-XL is an enhanced version of D2, as opposed to D2X, which is an attempt at duplication. You may like some of the features of D2X-XL, and you may not like others.  
(Version 1.5.103)

KARX11ERX  The installation instructions state clearly that you need the retail game data.

I am not doing the D2X-XL port myself, and ofc those who are doing it don't have my intimate knowledge of the code. I would have fixed all issues within a week, had I a Macintosh computer. I am not rich though, so I am not gonna spend my own money on one - because I really only need one to fix D2X-XL (and make its Mac users happy).

You can support me by donating some money to me. At the rate donations are currently coming, I will be able to purchase even a used Mac in about 5 years or so.

I am not after your money, but looking at the number of downloads, this is rather saddening. ;)  
(Version 1.5.95)

L66-  I also finally got this app to work. You need the Descent 2 retail data files, it won't work with the D2 demo or Descent 1 retail data files alone. Maybe an error dialog or some sign that it can't find the data should be added, at first I just thought the whole app just didn't work at my machine.

This port looks nice. There are still some issues though. It looks like the d2x.ini config file is totally ignored. Setting full screen or automatic player loading options had no effect. The application 'forgets' the full screen setting, so you have to enable it each time you start the game in the options. Also, when canceling a game and starting a new one, D2X crashes here. It is stable otherwise. CD Audio does work, but is skipping/not right sometimes, no matter which CD you use. The tracks aren't played in the right order yet, and volume is not adjustable. Some things that are supposed to be breakable in Descent 1 levels aren't, and things that are not supposed to be breakable there, such as lights, are :).

I also don't loose the feeling the gameplay of this port is slightly faster as the original game was, but that can be just me.

Other then that this is the nicest OS X port I've seen so far, having most of the things the original Descent 1/2 had in place. Now, just some polishing, maybe the ability to play MP3/whatever music so you won't need the CD, and it will be complete. Great work so far!  
(Version 1.5.86)

FAHJR56  Well I finally got the game to work as far as i can tell.

I do have one question as i have never played the game before dose anyone know where i can get an instruction download or something i can read so i know how to play it.

things such as moving forward and what to shoot at it's kind of confusing.  
(Version 1.5.86)

FAHJR56  I was able to do almost everything that the Installation Instructions for D2X-XL.txt said the only problem i had was finding the Descent 1 and 2 data files to copy to the newly created "data" folder could someone please help me out and tell me where i can find them.

I know this sounds like a simple task but this is all very new to me so I'm a little lost, any help would be appreciated.

I can be contacted at metalmadman@mac.com  
(Version 1.5.86)

SIMX  Um, version 1.5.86 no longer contains a disk image inside a disk image. That only occurred with the previous version.  
(Version 1.5.86)

ANNDRA  No, I am having the same problems, a disk image inside a disk image? Why? And I have never once got it to run.  
(Version 1.5.86)

KARX11ERX  The OS X version has had over 4000 D/Ls total from here and other locations. You guys are the only two so far who weren't able to install and run it, and complained about it. Maybe it's you, not the form of the distribution, where the problem lies. ;)  
(Version 1.5.70)

RICHTHEONE  GARY, I totally agree with you. Not even worth writing anything more in this review text.  
(Version 1.5.70)

GARYI  This download is a mess, within are more images to mount that leads to more mess that you are supposed to do something with and a folder saying OSX that has no contents. It took a while to work out but I got some frameworks put where they should and the game still does not load.

All in all for me not worth the effort, I know its free but if you can't make it a simple download and unzip, I fear for the contents of the actual game.  
(Version 1.5.70)

SHADOWFURY333  An excellent effort by Diedel and Kaelan on this one. This game is turning out to be of excellent quallity, once the bugs get worked out. However, this is being done actively as I type, so I'm sure it will be taken care of soon.

The game itself has greatly improved since Descent 2 and D2X. With the addition of UDP/IP networking, new gamemodes, and more modern graphics processing options, I can see Descent 2 gaining more popularity in the coming months. I would expect it to overtake Descent 3 gaming, as Descent 2 was always more highly favored by the community, and Descent 3 support is non-existant.

The graphics, while not necessarily the most important part of the game, have also improved. It is now possible to run D2X-XL at resolutions up to 1600x1200 and 1920x1200 for widescreen users. Also, the addition of colored dynamic lights is welcomed, although unfortunately it is somewhat cube-based, so don't be surprise if the area seems a bit better lit then it should, but for a 10-year-old game, I'm still impressed.

The gameplay hasn't changed much since the original Descent 2. Although other Mac users will be happy to know that custom levels are supported(if I recall correctly, the original Mac Descent 2 had problems with this).

Now, although the game has improved greatly, there are still a fair amount of glaring bugs, such as the inability to place D2X-XL in any arbitrary folder(ask your system administrator about letting you install in /Applications/Games/D2X-XL/) or the inability to play more than one game during one session. However, As I said before, though, these are being fixed as I type.

D2X-XL has greatly improved Descent 2, but there is still a long way to go. Fortunately, the developers are willing and able to get it working perfectly.  
(Version 1.5.61)

KARX11ERX  Hello D2X-XL users,

I hope I am allowed to write this here. :)

I don't own a Mac and cannot afford one, so the Mac OS X port is not in my hands. The guys working on it have my full support, but don't have the intimate knowledge of the game code I have acquired during my time of maintaining it.

If you want to support me, you can head to my Descent site and donate some money. You can be assured that any donations made there will go 100% into this project. First thing I'd get would be a Mac to iron out the remaining OS X issues of D2X-XL.

Dietfrid  
(Version 1.5.60)

SPAMMASTERD  I also can't run Descent 2 (D2X) on my iMac G4 700Mhz, 10.4.3. What gives? It runs just fine on my PowerMac 466 Mhz, 10.4.3 at work! (hee hee)

Really though, why is this a problem? Do different Macs, even those running the same OS, handle files differently? If any developers read this thread maybe this bit of info will help. When I restarted my Mac, which I had to do because Descent got stuck on the black screen at startup, the disk image and all of the files were nowhere to be found on my computer. Even searching with Spotlight turned up no results. Like I never even downloaded it. This sucks, I want to play some Descent at home! From the other responses, I know that this has something to do with my particular computer. Can anybody resolve this problem once and for all?  
(Version 1.5.44)

KARX11ERX  A potential fix for the crash problem might be to place all Descent 2 data and the d2x-xl executable in a folder named /Application/Games/D2X-XL. (Put the mission files in /Application/Games/D2X-XL/Missions as usual.)

From a (d2x-xl generated) logfile another user has sent me today I had the impression that otherwise the OS X version will mess up folders.

Dietfrid  
(Version 1.5.44)

KARX11ERX  If problems persist and you don't mind, please register at http://www.descentbb.net/phpbb and post bug reports in the Old Skool Descent area, Max OS X thread.

I am not doing the Mac OS X version of D2X-XL myself, so I depend on your cooperation to get this bird flying for everybody on OS X. ;)  
(Version 1.5.44)

KARX11ERX  Please regard that the Descent 2 data folder has changed to '/Applications/Games/D2X-XL' for v1.5.44.

Please make sure to read the installation instructions (http://www.descent2.de/d2x-install.html).

Dietfrid  
(Version 1.5.44)

TVALLEAU  Ditto: crash on launch. I've sent off the crash log to the author... and yes: it's in the share directory.  
(Version 1.5.44)

RGOULD  d2x-xl 1.5.44 STILL crashes on launch.  
(Version 1.5.44)

IINDIGO  Same trouble as above poster. Everything needed is installed correctly according to your site, yet it simply crashes on launch.  
(Version 1.5.29)

BRYAN GOLDSTEIN  Just crashes for me, I'm on an imac g4 with 10.4.3? I tried following your instructions on the site. Please help.  
(Version 1.5.29)