CodeWeavers has released a new version of its emulation program for Mac OS X, CrossOver Games. The new release is available for free for existing CrossOver Games users. A single user license costs $39.95 to buy.

"Now gamers can play the games they want, on whatever platform they want!" CodeWeavers says. "With CrossOver Games, you can run many popular Windows games on your Intel OS X Mac or Linux PC. Whatever your tastes — first-person shooters, fantasy, strategy, MMORPGs — CrossOver Games provides the capability to run many popular game titles."

CrossOver allows you to install popular Windows applications and games on your Mac, provided that you pack an Intel processor. CrossOver’s single-click interface makes installing Windows software simple and fast. Whether they are 'supported' or 'unsupported' apps, CrossOver will do its best to run them for you.

The Games version of CrossOver is just like CrossOver Mac, only it's optimized for running games, of course. CodeWeavers adds new supported Windows apps and games to CrossOver by constantly updating the software. This time around, CrossOver games fixes the installation of Left 4 Dead 2 via Steam on Mac OS X.

CrossOver bridges directly between Windows software and OS X, unlike similar products that run the Windows operating system on a virtual machine. This, according to CodeWeavers, allows applications to run at greater speeds on a user's Mac, compared with running Windows games in a virtual machine.

There are some notable key advantages that CrossOver has in relation to the other compatibility solutions. Admittedly, each solution has its advantages and disadvantages, CodeWeavers says.

Popular Windows titles currently supported by CrossOver Games include World of Warcraft, EVE Online, Guild Wars, and Prey, as well as an array of Steam games, including Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2, Counterstrike, Civilization IV, Peggle Extreme, Call of Duty 2, Max Payne 2, and more.

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