My Alice An Interactive Museum auction starts now! [Archive]

Kitsune Sniper

03-17-2011, 02:22 PM

Well, not even 24 hours into the auction and I've already received two messages asking me to name my price for this thing. Fucking sweet. And no, I haven't replied. :D

On another note, though, I got a message from an Italian eBayer who asked me if I could send the item to his sister who lives in the US of A. I'm not sure what to tell him - I mean, it'd be fine with me, I'm just not sure what eBay / PayPal would think of it. I considered telling him to ask his sister to get an account and bid on it so there's no problems...

My issue is of course, him paying for the item, and me sending it to the USA, but he doesn't live in the USA so he could claim the item never arrived and get his money back. You know? What can I do? I was thinking of asking in the eBay forums, but they're crazy over there.

megasdkirby

03-17-2011, 02:41 PM

My issue is of course, him paying for the item, and me sending it to the USA, but he doesn't live in the USA so he could claim the item never arrived and get his money back. You know? What can I do? I was thinking of asking in the eBay forums, but they're crazy over there.

I would politely tell him that you are unable to do that at the current time, but that since you do ship internationally, he is able to bid on it. I saw your listing and you clearly state that you will use Express Mail International to ship items worldwide. He probably knows it will be very expensive, so he asks to ship to someone in the USA to reduce shipping costs. Problem is...what you stated might exactly occur.

Honestly, I've come not to trust people alot, mainly when it comes with money. I would not risk it in your case, specially since you did state the terms in your listing.

Better be safe than sorry.

Ryaan1234

03-17-2011, 03:54 PM

On another note, though, I got a message from an Italian eBayer who asked me if I could send the item to his sister who lives in the US of A. I'm not sure what to tell him - I mean, it'd be fine with me, I'm just not sure what eBay / PayPal would think of it. I considered telling him to ask his sister to get an account and bid on it so there's no problems...
I would suggest not sending it to Italy. Do not even agree to send it to this guy's sister. I've only heard bad things about Italy's postal service, and I personally know several eBay sellers who have had packages sent to Italy mysteriously disappear in transit.

pseudonym

03-17-2011, 04:01 PM

I wouldn't bother because Italy can be a gamble when it comes mailing things there. You probably know this already, but there's a good chance that you'll get more money than he's offering if you don't end the auction early.

Gapporin

03-17-2011, 04:16 PM

Hory clap. What's the demand behind this title? I know that most PC titles sell for crap unless it's LucasArts or Ultima or some other well known franchise. What's the story behind this?

Kitsune Sniper

03-17-2011, 05:03 PM

I would suggest not sending it to Italy. Do not even agree to send it to this guy's sister. I've only heard bad things about Italy's postal service, and I personally know several eBay sellers who have had packages sent to Italy mysteriously disappear in transit.

I wouldn't bother because Italy can be a gamble when it comes mailing things there. You probably know this already, but there's a good chance that you'll get more money than he's offering if you don't end the auction early.

I'm sending this Express Mail, and insured. Do you think the item could still get lost? There's no way in hell I'm sending this First Class.

Also, I never end auctions early. Whenever someone asks me to do that, it's because they know the item is worth a lot, so I always reply with "Sorry, but I can't do that. Please bid on the item as you normally would. Who knows, maybe you'll get the item for a lower price than you were offering!"

Hory clap. What's the demand behind this title? I know that most PC titles sell for crap unless it's LucasArts or Ultima or some other well known franchise. What's the story behind this?

It's super rare. Super, super, super rare. It's an interesting game, but it's too abstract for me (not to mention some of the contents might be considered well beyond the M rating nowadays). I can't stand Myst and that game made more sense to me than this! Call me crazy, but I think there's more copies of Stadium Events US NTSC than of this game out there. I sold a copy of this game, without a box, for $100 about five years ago, and according to this MobyGames trivia (http://www.mobygames.com/game/alice-interactive-museum/trivia), this game sold for over 2000 bucks in 2007. Some folks here weren't so sure that was true, and I don't blame them.

But then I found this post at Tap-Repeatedly.com's forums from January 2011. (http://tap-repeatedly.com/forum/whats-the-frequency-kenneth/have-you-heard-of-this-one-re-opened-mark-2/page-2/#p8459) That site used to be FourFatChicks.com, one of the only places that actually got a copy and reviewed it a while back, so it's got to be legit...

I've mentioned this auction at a few forums I visit in hopes that the more hardcore European collectors will see this and try to bid on it. I'm guessing that the relative scarcity is in part because the few copies that exist are mostly in America, and not many people are willing to ship such a high value item outside of the country.

I honestly do not expect it to go higher than $300. If it reaches the two grand then I'll freak out. If it goes higher than that... well...

Cornelius

03-17-2011, 05:17 PM

For the Italy guy, as long as payment for the item on paypal has the USA address listed, I'd send it. Tell him his sister will have to be the one to send the payment using her address on the paypal account. He likely knows the Italy postal system sucks and is trying to put you at ease as well as save on shipping since Express will be $$$. Or he's trying to screw you. As long as you send to the address on the paypal page it should be fine (use signature confirmation). But then, I know you know all this... a little jittery on this one? ;)

Ryaan1234

03-17-2011, 05:19 PM

I'm sending this Express Mail, and insured. Do you think the item could still get lost? There's no way in hell I'm sending this First Class.

I don't mean literally lost, I mean "lost" as in "a corrupt Italian postman decided they wanted it so it disappeared in transit". Something like this (http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Executives+Announcements/italian-police-break-major-theft-ring-postal-facility). I wouldn't even trust express or priority mail when all packages will end up in the Italian postal system eventually.

Kitsune Sniper

03-17-2011, 05:26 PM

Well, the same can be said about the Mexican postal service (which is why I NEVER ship stuff uh, down here)... I know you mean well, but I'm taking the risk. My daddy was a gamblin' man, and I guess I am one too.

Of course, if only eBay would LET ME REPLY TO THE QUESTIONS now. The damn answer service is down!

Cornelius, honestly? YES. You know why? Because I NEED this money, and I don't mean need in the "oh golly gee more games" sense, I mean it in the "I need to get urgent dental work done and this money will pay for it" sense. :|

Cornelius

03-17-2011, 05:52 PM

megasdkirby

03-17-2011, 06:01 PM

Given what the money means for you, you really can't afford to gamble, imo. Express Mail and insurance should protect you for Italy (and like destinations), but it would mean a significant delay if something happened, and it doesn't sound like that would be pleasant at all.

Since Italy seems to be a gamble, can Kitsune put something extra, like a service, to make sure it gets there without hitch? Like "Restricted Delivery" or something like that?

Collector_Gaming

03-17-2011, 06:04 PM

i love auctions in related to rare items to see what they do

and i am a car guy so i watch the Barrett Jackson auctions on speed tv.

to be honest... this auction for a computer game has me more intrigued then those car auctions! so i hope for the best.

This is very cool!

Kitsune Sniper

03-17-2011, 06:14 PM

We're all pulling for you! (except the reseller haters, I guess) Poor choice of words with the 'pulling' thing, sorry.

Given what the money means for you, you really can't afford to gamble, imo. Express Mail and insurance should protect you for Italy (and like destinations), but it would mean a significant delay if something happened, and it doesn't sound like that would be pleasant at all.
Naaaaah, it's okay. The good part is that dental work is super cheap down here in Mexico, so I could potentially get a whole new set of teeth with two grand. ;)

Since Italy seems to be a gamble, can Kitsune put something extra, like a service, to make sure it gets there without hitch? Like "Restricted Delivery" or something like that?

EMS has a checkbox that basically says it can only be delivered to the addressee, I think.

i love auctions in related to rare items to see what they do

and i am a car guy so i watch the Barrett Jackson auctions on speed tv.

to be honest... this auction for a computer game has me more intrigued then those car auctions! so i hope for the best.

This is very cool!

How'dya think I feel about this? I haven't had this much of an adrenalin rush in a long time!

I've made a post at eBay's discussion forums about shipping overseas and sending a package to the USA, and it verifies Cornelius (http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Seller-Central/International-Buyer-Wants/520269852)' comment - I can send an item as long as the address is in the PayPal invoice.

Sooooo nervous. ^^;

Do you folks think I should submit this to GameSniped?

Collector_Gaming

03-17-2011, 07:13 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnuLrqJ_Y94

game play of the game for who ever ends up buying this or finds a copy and is too afraid to open and play it haha

megasdkirby

03-18-2011, 09:42 AM

$91 in less than 24 hours. Not too shabby.

Though the ID's, while masked, seem familiar...me thinks possible resellers. LOL

Oobgarm

03-18-2011, 11:46 AM

I now want to hunt down a copy of this on the internets, just to try it out.

Kitsune Sniper

03-18-2011, 01:12 PM

$91 in less than 24 hours. Not too shabby.

Though the ID's, while masked, seem familiar...me thinks possible resellers. LOL

The first two bidders were Italian - the next two are American. The current high bidder seems to be a normal account...

If any resellers want to take a stab at this, let them feel free to do so. I'm still going to look at user IDs and feedback history. If it turns out it's a scammer, I'll block them.

Dark_Sol

03-19-2011, 05:24 AM

never heard about this game. Wonder what will happen in the end if it's THAT RARE. Sometimes people pay insane amounts for PC games. Look at Dune Nukem sealed bundles.. 300...700$...lol
Wish you all best luck on this one. You are a great seller.

wingzrow

03-19-2011, 06:17 AM

If it were me, I wouldn't ship to italy. I have a strict no italy, brazil, or mexico rule when shipping anything. When you lose as man packages to those countries as I did when I started you learn very quickly what the problem is and cut those countries off completely.

Collector_Gaming

03-19-2011, 08:25 AM

Kitsune Sniper

03-19-2011, 08:53 AM

$102.50 :bday:

2 things i like about this game after seeing the video i posted above which makes me hope i find one out in the wild some how cheaply like kitsune did

You notice the art work is very beautiful. (kitsune does it say who did the art work or where the art work came from?)
I also love the sound track. Very old timey sounds so wonderful for the world in which you play in.

The -entire- game was apparently created by Synergy, a core team of three Japanese designers, one on art, music, and story adaptation. They're even fully credited -on the front cover-.

The funny thing is, this wasn't their only game. They released at least three in America, (Alice, Yellow Brick Road and Gadget: Invention, Travel and Adventure) and several more in Japan (not sure how many since Wayback Archive never saved their product page :(). The other two games aren't as rare, but they're also not as sought after. I have a Japanese copy of their "Yellow Brick Road" game somewhere.

Oh yeah, I have 24 watchers now. I haven't had this many since the last time I sold a Pippin.

Collector_Gaming

03-19-2011, 09:49 AM

The -entire- game was apparently created by Synergy, a core team of three Japanese designers, one on art, music, and story adaptation. They're even fully credited -on the front cover-.

The funny thing is, this wasn't their only game. They released at least three in America, (Alice, Yellow Brick Road and Gadget: Invention, Travel and Adventure) and several more in Japan (not sure how many since Wayback Archive never saved their product page :(). The other two games aren't as rare, but they're also not as sought after. I have a Japanese copy of their "Yellow Brick Road" game somewhere.

Oh yeah, I have 24 watchers now. I haven't had this many since the last time I sold a Pippin.

god that japanese guy has either great taste in art or is a remarkable artist himself. cause that stuff kinda reminds me of picaso esque design.
The music also once again its a late victorian era sound you don't hear too often (early 1900s when records and cylinder records were the norm and radio was just starting)

Collector_Gaming

03-20-2011, 03:10 PM

the price seems stuck right now

hold on one second *sprays some WD40 on the auction* there that should get it moving nicely again!
come on big money!

Kitsune Sniper

03-20-2011, 04:20 PM

I still hope some gaming news sites will pick up on it, but I doubt that'll happen. Nobody cares about PC games, it's Stadium Events or nothing. :P

darkslime

03-20-2011, 10:44 PM

i messaged my friend who posts on gamesniped and asked if he would post it and he said its on his watch list already, so you will most likely get a posting on gamesniped

Kitsune Sniper

03-22-2011, 05:28 PM

Thanks.

Still stuck at $102...

And I just got a message from an eBay buyer asking me if I could take photos of some bits of the manual. He offered money for them but I refused it.

I'll probably take some pictures for the guy. I'm surprised nobody has scanned the manual for this game yet. Then again... it IS that rare.

megasdkirby

03-22-2011, 06:30 PM

I'm surprised nobody has scanned the manual for this game yet. Then again... it IS that rare.

Scan the manual before you sell it for archival purposes. Same with the box.

Then after a few months of being sold, upload the images so everyone can see.

LOL

Kitsune Sniper

03-22-2011, 06:42 PM

I don't want to damage the spine of the manual. It's THAT minty, man.

CRTGAMER

03-22-2011, 07:35 PM

Wow I didn't know about this one. Good luck on the sale!

Amazon has Alice Museum at around 500 bucks!
http://www.amazon.com/Alice-Interactive-Museum-CD-ROM-Computer-Game/dp/B002771BDE/ref=sr_1_4/185-3335713-1049200?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1300836637&sr=1-4

I have Gadget also by Haruhiko Shono along with the art book. This gives an idea what kind of graphics to expect.

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=337680#p337680

GADGET
This Art book was ten bucks then five bucks and finally One dollar.

I looked at it so many times when I visited the Bookoff (http://www.bookoffusa.com/) store, finally bought it for the dollar. Amazing nobody else had bought it all this time. A lot of pretty pictures, a study of beautiful early CD ROM art by Haruhiko Shono (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haruhiko_Shono). Brand new it was thirty bucks back in 1995. The intriguing pics teased me about this PC game.

http://www.mrbillsadventureland.com/reviews/g-h/gadgetR/arklanding.jpghttp://www.mrbillsadventureland.com/reviews/g-h/gadgetR/ticketman.jpg
http://www.mrbillsadventureland.com/reviews/g-h/gadgetR/trains.jpghttp://www.mrbillsadventureland.com/reviews/g-h/gadgetR/flyingark.jpg

I remember this old PC game, never bought it when it came out. I just ordered the newer (well still pretty old) four CD version from CD Access at Amazon for under twenty bucks shipped. Seller claims still brand new shrunk wrapped CIB! The orginal was only a single CD Rom, must be a lot of upgraded graphics and video in there. The really nice bonus is it also works on my MAC which has both OSX and OS9.

The game came in! It is the newer four disc version supporting both the PC and Mac. Amazing that this 1998 game is still shrunk wrapped with a warranty card still inside! Popped the disc in my iMac and after OS9 background booted it runs beautiful. A Myst type of game, the Artbook really got my curiosity to explore this game.

Not the best price for an older game, but with the dollar purchase of the Art Book a nice package!

So has anyone played this older Myst style game?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadget:_Invention,_Travel,_%26_Adventure
http://www.tap-repeatedly.com/Reviews/Gadget/Gadget.shtml
http://www.mrbillsadventureland.com/reviews/g-h/gadgetR/gadgetR.htm

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EK18X62PL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

http://www.cdaccess.com/html/shared/gadget.htm
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002VSRWA/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=
http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Gadget-Haruhiko-Shono/dp/0684823969

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/download/file.php?id=3584

Kitsune Sniper

03-22-2011, 08:14 PM

WOW. That looks pretty damn impressive for a game that's that old.

Bojay1997

03-24-2011, 12:43 PM

Looks like you finally got Gamesniped coverage. Should be good to bump it up a little (or maybe alot) at the end.

megasdkirby

03-24-2011, 12:46 PM

Looks like you finally got Gamesniped coverage. Should be good to bump it up a little (or maybe alot) at the end.

I hope it goes for lots of money at the end. :)

Oh, and here is the link: http://www.gamesniped.com/2011/03/24/alice-an-interactive-museum-pc-game/

Atamos

03-24-2011, 02:04 PM

First time I see this game, it look very weird and creepy !
But I'm pretty sure that the game will go up more than 300$
If not I will try to get it ! :P

Kitsune Sniper

03-24-2011, 03:17 PM

Hm, it just jumped to $119.

A one-feedback bidder. Must... not... get... nervous...

Collector_Gaming

03-24-2011, 03:58 PM

Kitsune once this badboy sells you should go buy yourself a nice dinner or something with the money :bday:

megasdkirby

03-24-2011, 04:13 PM

Hm, it just jumped to $119.

A one-feedback bidder. Must... not... get... nervous...

You don't have them blocked?

Kitsune Sniper

03-24-2011, 04:22 PM

We can't block bidders with zero feedback, only ones with negative feedback.

Sure, I can block them manually, but not all low feedback buyers are scammers.

pseudonym

03-24-2011, 04:47 PM

It's up to $255 now. :popcorn:

Kitsune Sniper

03-24-2011, 04:54 PM

I just noticed. D:

megasdkirby

03-24-2011, 04:56 PM

You got it made, Kitsune!

I bet there will be sniper bids at the last moments of the auctions.

Imagine if it goes over $2k. :D

eskobar

03-24-2011, 06:31 PM

ay cabr�n, ya subi� un chingo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

suerte, Kitsune !!!!!!!!

Sph1nx

03-24-2011, 09:53 PM

I'm pretty curious to see what this sells for myself.

Collector_Gaming

03-24-2011, 09:58 PM

305... now we are getting up there! :popcorn: :bday:

Kitsune Sniper

03-24-2011, 10:36 PM

I'm actually wondering if (regardless of how much this goes for) this will cause more people to put their copies of the game up for auction, kinda like how Stadium Events and similar NES "grails" started popping up more and more over the past two years...

wingzrow

03-24-2011, 10:57 PM

Well hey, you might be part of history then.

Kitsune Sniper

03-24-2011, 11:14 PM

Well hey, you might be part of history then.

It's an auction. At most, I'll get a footnote on a Wikipedia article or a mention in some nerd's Youtube review of the game. :P

Dark_Sol

03-25-2011, 04:37 AM

hehehe. yes. gaysniped helped indeed. The price increased.
Where did you find this game btw? Must be some thrift store for 0.99 $ :)

Kitsune Sniper

03-25-2011, 09:10 AM

A flea market guy sold it to me for $3. He's one of the guys I buy music CDs from on Wednesdays. I also got Day of the Tentacle, some clock game by that Tetris guy, and a three pack with Dark Seed and two other games.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j238/foxhack/DP/dp-2011-03-09d.jpg

Dark_Sol

03-25-2011, 10:33 AM

Well . As i thought! Haha it's awesome to find things like this. I bet u had no idea what you are buying but then you entered the game name in amazon and fucked up. lol

Kitsune Sniper

03-25-2011, 12:30 PM

Well . As i thought! Haha it's awesome to find things like this. I bet u had no idea what you are buying but then you entered the game name in amazon and fucked up. lol

Actually, I did know it was worth some cash. As I mentioned at the finds thread, I sold a copy of this game five or six years ago for a bit over $100 way back when I was first starting to sell on eBay.

I later found out about the game's rarity while working at MobyGames.

Also the $500 copy on Amazon has one thing against it - no international shipping. I knew opening up the auction to overseas buyers would make the price go higher, but I couldn't take the risk so I went with EMS instead of First Class. It'll be pricey to ship, sure, but Europeans have Euros and besides, the only people who'll bid on this are the people who can afford it.

fahlim003

03-25-2011, 09:45 PM

Less than a day remains. Best of success on the final price, I've been watching it closely (even bidding to no avail).

Dark_Sol

03-26-2011, 05:42 AM

Actually, I did know it was worth some cash. As I mentioned at the finds thread, I sold a copy of this game five or six years ago for a bit over $100 way back when I was first starting to sell on eBay.

I later found out about the game's rarity while working at MobyGames.

Also the $500 copy on Amazon has one thing against it - no international shipping. I knew opening up the auction to overseas buyers would make the price go higher, but I couldn't take the risk so I went with EMS instead of First Class. It'll be pricey to ship, sure, but Europeans have Euros and besides, the only people who'll bid on this are the people who can afford it.
Ohh i see. Dumb me. lol. So u had an idea of what it's worth. That's cool! :bday:

Kitsune Sniper

03-26-2011, 02:24 PM

Just wondering, if a guy enters a bid, but then cancels it immediately, they do that to see just how much the max bid is, right?

skezer8u63 (1808 feedback) bid 500 but retracted it nine minutes later, saying he "entered the wrong amount". He's a seller, to boot, dealing in Apple II and Commodore stuff. Horribly overpriced Apple II stuff.

I'm tempted to block his ass now.

eskobar

03-26-2011, 02:49 PM

Dark_Sol

03-26-2011, 03:05 PM

Well. There's a little cheating but who the fuck cares if he pays? lol

megasdkirby

03-26-2011, 03:12 PM

Well. There's a little cheating but who the fuck cares if he pays? lol

He can be an asshole that wins and then complains about something and tries an extortion attempt.

I would block him NOW.

Dark_Sol

03-26-2011, 03:29 PM

50% chance every ebay user is an asshole. This just can't be helped. You cannot guess if this or that user is a retard untill he actually buys or pays. Everyone is so cool before that.
I would not block a bidder just because he tries to find out a current max bid. I do not like it, but it is no big deal. Maybe he's some serious collector and just has limited funds.

Kitsune Sniper

03-26-2011, 03:30 PM

I want to do it... should I send this message too?

"I do not appreciate people shill bidding on my items and then retracting them minutes later just to try to find out what the max bid on an item is.

Since you were trying to cheat the eBay auction system, you have been blocked from all my auctions. I have also reported you to eBay.

P.S.
Your items are horribly overpriced. :P"

Edit: Dark Sol, the guy has OLD APPLE II SOFTWARE FOR OVER $200 BUY IT NOW. He's the kind of seller YOU DESPISE. :P

Also, what he did IS against eBay policy.

http://reviews.ebay.com/Beware-of-Bid-Retraction_W0QQugidZ10000000000866145
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/bid-retract.html ("Bids retracted within the last 24 hours of a listing can be viewed as an example of shill bidding, which is a serious violation of eBay policy.")

megasdkirby

03-26-2011, 04:02 PM

Exactly Kitsune.

My guess is that he was trying to find out how much the max bid was with the intention of buying it really cheap and then selling it at a premium. And from his listings, it surely seems like a reseller.

I would block him, because then other buyers might accuse YOU for shill bidding when it's not your fault.

While Dark_Sol makes a point, I doubt that his intentions were "pure". Think about it: he puts $500 when the highest price so far is a little over $320. No way his bid could be $50 since Ebay would prevent him from doing so. If it was $5,000 then I understand it was a mistake. But putting $500 and then saying "wrong amount"...pure bullshit.

Block him and report him to Ebay.

Kitsune Sniper

03-26-2011, 04:06 PM

Well, his ass is blocked now. I sent him this message prior to doing so:

I do not appreciate people shill bidding on my items and then retracting
them minutes later just to try to find out what the max bid on an item is.
This is not permitted according to eBay's bid rules. Since you were trying
to cheat the eBay auction system, you have been blocked from all my
auctions. I have also reported you to eBay.

Have a nice day.

I suggest you folks block him too.

megasdkirby

03-26-2011, 04:10 PM

Booo! You did not mention anything about his items! LOL

Kitsune Sniper

03-26-2011, 04:13 PM

Eh, that might've been enough for him to report ME for harassment.

I wanted to add a bit to the description about this jerk (while not mentioning his name) but eBay won't let me. Oh well. :(

And now you know why I rarely bother with auctions. Too many asshats on eBay.

megasdkirby

03-26-2011, 04:16 PM

If you want, try and talk to a live robo......err, representative to at least inform them about it.

Also, be careful about anyone living in the same location as that shill bidder. If the winning bid comes from the same location, watch out.

Dark_Sol

03-26-2011, 06:39 PM

Ok 2 hours to go!
Good luck! and i go to bed :P

CRTGAMER

03-26-2011, 07:13 PM

Little over an hour left, the last five minutes might prove interesting.
You inspired me to post an article the other day, linked this thread to it.

PC and Mac Games eventually be a Hidden Treasure? (http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=396007#p396007)

Current bid at 350.11

Kitsune Sniper

03-26-2011, 07:32 PM

If I may, I have a comment for RyaNtheSlayA:

The reason Halo for Mac is worth so much is kind of strange. First it's because it's a rarity on the OS itself; not many companies released 3D games for the platform, and the few that did, often weren't very good because of the limited Mac hardware (say what you want about Macs... the Apple designers at the time didn't care about 3D hardware.)

Secondly, Halo was originally a Mac title before Bungie was bought by Microsoft. So in a sense, they're getting the game they should've gotten in the first place. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnRJgOayYpk for a preview video of that game.

Third, GOOD Mac games weren't usually released in very large numbers. Another game that's worth quite a bit is the Mac version of American McGee's Alice. While a disc only copy of the Windows version may cost around $30-$50, a Mac version can go for $70 or more. Even more so if it's boxed and complete.

Big name publishers just didn't see the Mac as a gaming platform at the time (in fact, many still don't), and that's why some games weren't released in large quantities.