Currently, Mac gaming lags far behind traditional Windows-based PCs in terms of breadth of titles. However, the former's catalog will get a big boost soon, as Apple announced today that it will open the Mac App Store on January 6. The service will be available in 90 countries from the get-go and will offer up a shopping experience similar to those found on the App Stores for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Games will be on tap, as will other apps for education, entertainment, and productivity.

　　Game development for the Mac will become much easier--and cheaper--courtesy of the Mac App Store.

　　More importantly, the Mac App Store will open up development of Mac games to smaller studios by giving them an inexpensive way to sell their wares. It will allow for cheaper games to be easily downloaded by Mac users, as developers can set their own prices and keep 70 percent of all sales proceeds. Other than a $99 annual enrollment fee, developers will not be charged for hosting, marketing, or credit card fees--or for offering games for free. The Mac App Store will allow for trial and "lite" versions of games to be distributed gratis, such as the hit Angry Birds Lite currently is for iOS devices.

　　How many new games will be available via the Mac App Store at launch is unclear. At an event in September 2009 in which Apple dismissed the PSP and DS as being inferior portable gaming devices, Apple said there were 3,680 games and entertainment titles available for the iOS. That number has exploded in the interim, with over 42,000 titles being available in the category as of November, according to tracking site 148apps.biz.