Mac Game Troubleshooting

Having Technical Trouble with a Mac Game?

If you’re having trouble downloading, displaying, or playing a Mac game, or if you're encountering an error message, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

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Game Won't Download?

If you’re having trouble downloading a Mac game, it’s important to ensure your system is fully up to date. For older installation methods that may require StuffIt Expander, that process is now largely obsolete with newer macOS versions. In most cases, downloading should be straightforward without needing external applications like StuffIt. Here’s what you can do:

1. Update macOS:

   • Make sure you're running the latest macOS version. If you're using an older version of macOS, try updating to the latest available update.

2. Check Security & Privacy Settings:

   • If you're seeing a warning that the app can't be opened because it’s from an unidentified developer, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy, and under the General tab, click Open Anyway.

3. Redownload the Game:

   • Go to your Purchased section on the Big Fish Games app or website and try downloading the game again.

Note: StuffIt Expander is no longer required for newer macOS versions (macOS 10.14 and beyond).

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Game Crashing, Freezing, Not Displaying Properly, or Showing an Error?

If your game is crashing or having display issues, follow these steps to resolve the problem:

1. Ensure macOS is up to date:

   • Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update to check for updates.

2. Update Adobe Flash and Shockwave (if applicable):

   • If you’re playing a game that uses Flash or Shockwave, make sure those are updated. Flash is now mostly obsolete, and macOS has deprecated Flash support. Consider updating any games that may rely on it or contact our Customer Support for a more up-to-date version.

3. Adjust Screen Resolution:

   • If your game isn’t displaying correctly, try lowering your screen resolution:
     • Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Displays.
     • Under the Display tab, set the resolution to 1024 x 768 or lower.
     • Restart your game.

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Still Having Trouble? Uninstall & Reinstall Your Game

If the game still isn't working properly, try uninstalling and reinstalling it:

1. Uninstall the game:

   • Go to the Applications folder, locate the game, and drag it to the trash.

2. Reinstall the game:

   • Redownload and install the game from your Big Fish account or the Big Fish Games app. Make sure it’s installed to the Applications folder.

3. Create a New Player Profile:

   • After reinstalling, open the game, create a new profile, and try again.

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Game Displaying Off-Center on Your Screen?

If you're using a Mac with a Retina Display (especially newer MacBook Pros), your game may appear off-center due to automatic graphics switching. Here’s how to adjust the settings:

1. Turn off Automatic Graphics Switching:
   • Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Energy Saver (on macOS Big Sur and earlier) or Battery (on macOS Monterey and newer).
   • Uncheck the Automatic Graphics Switching box.
2. Test Your Game:
   • Restart your game and check if the display issue is resolved.

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"Another Game Currently Running" Error (Error 809)?

If you encounter the "Another Game Currently Running" error message (Error 809), it typically means that a game or strategy guide is still running in the background.

To resolve this:

1. Close the Running Game:
   • Right-click on the game's icon in the Dock.
   • Select Quit or Force Quit.
2. Try Again:
   • Once the game is closed, attempt to open the game again.

If the error persists, it could indicate a compatibility issue with your Mac. Review the game’s system requirements on its page, or contact Big Fish Games Support. If possible, provide a Dr. Felix Diagnostics Report to help troubleshoot.

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Unable to Right-Click?

Right-clicking may be configured differently on newer Macs. Here's how to enable it:

1. For All Mac Users:

   • To right-click on most Mac devices, hold down the Control key and click the mouse or trackpad.

2. For MacBook Users with a Trackpad:

   • Open Apple Menu > System Preferences > Trackpad.
   • Under the Point & Click tab, check the option to enable Secondary click (you can configure it to use either two fingers or a corner of the trackpad).
   • Once enabled, click with two fingers on the trackpad to right-click.

3. For Users with a Mighty Mouse:

   • Open Apple Menu > System Preferences > Mouse.
   • Check the option to enable Secondary Click to right-click with the right side of the mouse.

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Key Takeaways:

• Ensure you have the latest macOS and software updates to avoid compatibility issues.
• Older methods (like StuffIt Expander) are mostly unnecessary for modern macOS.
• Right-clicking and display settings may need to be adjusted, especially on newer MacBook models.
• If you still experience issues, uninstalling and reinstalling the game is a good next step.

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