Big Fish Games

A lot of people got ****** about issues like this because they didn't understand the repercussions of the 32-bit disqualification that came with macOS Catalina. Developers like Big Fish had almost a decade of warning that 32-bit apps were on their way out at Apple.

I think I'd be directing my displeasure at Big Fish and their development team. I've visited the Big Fish websites and to be honest, their lack of clarity about system requirements for their software is astounding. Can you confirm that Big Fish's 64-bit Game Manager can be installed on the older macOS; that it doesn't require Catalina or newer? I couldn't, and I spent more time researching this than I should have.

From Big Fish regarding the installation error –

Mac: error when reinstalling Game Manager - Big Fish Games Help

It states that the identity error will appear twice and to click Open twice. Is that your process?

Also at Big Fish regarding supported OSs –

Supported Operating Systems - Big Fish Games Help

Nothing stating support for Catalina or Big Sur as of 9 days ago.

And like @ Old Toad posted, I've never had an issue installing software from an unidentified developer myself. Right-click open works for me, too.

This sounds like the developer did DID NOT sign their apps, so Apple security is telling you this software cannot be checked to see if it is valid or malware.

You can still run unsigned apps, but you either do the Control-Click -> Open -> Open games, or you go to

System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> General (tab) and look for a "Run Anyway" button, and click it.

It is not so much that Apple is not allowing you to run the software, as the software developers decided against working with Apple to get the apps signed so that they could not be modified with malware undetected.

It can't be too new if it's running macOS Sierra, 10.12, which is 4 systems old, about 5 years old. Catalina is 10.15.

Did the games every work on the MacPro?

What do you mean Apple "won't recognize them"? Control (right) - click on the game and select "Open" from the contextual menu. Then click on Open in the next window. That should open the game from then on.

Please read the following user tip and restate your question/problem in detail: 

Writing an Effective Apple Support Communities Question - Apple Community

What happens when you try to run the games?

What system version are you running?

What Mac model and year are you running?

How much RAM an free space do you have?

Where did you purchase the Big Fish Games? From Apple or the developer?

Have you installed or run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up" or anti-virus apps on your Mac?

I've gotten a number of unrecognized developer's but the Control (right) - click always worked for me.

If you'd care to give an example of a particular game or two that is giving you grief, I'd be happy to see if I can download and install the package on my Catalina MacBook. I'm aware of the Big Fish Games manager app, (haven't tried to install that) and I know they have many games proper.

I found the 3.2.0.8 installer download for Mac here:

https://bigfishgames.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001735233-Download-the-Big-Fish-Games-App-Game-Manager-

So, my understanding is, I need to uninstall the reinstalled version, then reboot...correct? Then I need to install the 3.2.0.8 version, download and relocate the two .db files...correct? If so, where do I find the 3.2.0.8 version?

Yes, uninstall any previous Big Fish Game manager app before you install this version again. And you'll have to reinstall those two .db files again.

I'll also tell you that I've experienced the blank startup screen a couple times since my successful app launch, but quitting and relaunching the app did always result in success. And the successful launches outnumber the fails. So apparently there is still something a little flaky about the app. (Not surprising.)

You're welcome. 🙂

Run the uninstaller once more. Twice even, if you like.

Then restart the Mac in safe mode to clear caches, etc. (Hold shift key at startup.)

You might also try to reinstall the BG app 3.2.0.8 and relocate those .db files while still in safe boot.

Restart the Mac again normally and see how it goes.

I'm tellin' ya, BG software is not well written AT ALL. 😡