Apple Gaming is as robust as ever but still has shortcomings as many Windows-based blockbusters and current titles are still not available on macOS. But thanks to new software, that could change for the better.
While WWDC 2023Apple unveiled plans for emulating Windows PC games with its new Game Porting Toolkit, which would allow anyone with the right skills to use a DX11/DX12 Wine-like translation layer to bring Windows games to Mac systems, is it[calledVideoCardZ. The company responsible for this software is called CodeWeavers and, with its CrossOver app, makes it possible to emulate Windows apps on macOS via the Game Porting Toolkit in the first place.
It’s important to note that the software isn’t perfect right now, as even the Wine translation still needs numerous bug fixes or tweaks to run smoothly. It is therefore not reasonable to expect an error-free port right out of the box with the Game Porting Toolkit. Despite this, it seems that modders have already received such titles Cyberpunk 2077 And Diablo IV to run on both the M1 and M2 Mac systems with the new software toolset.
Players have reported Cyberpunk 2077 runs at under 15 fps on the M1 system on Ultra settings and around 40 fps on Ultra settings on M2 Max. Diablo IV and other titles like Hogwarts Legacy or GTA Vice City runs quite well on M2 Max chips.
Apple’s new game porting toolkit is fantastic. Here is Cyberbunk 2077 running at Ultra on a M1 MacBook Pro 16GB! pic.twitter.com/hylzMU6U46June 6, 2023
Diablo IV on M2 Max with macOS Sonoma and Game Porting Toolkit out of r/macgaming
Mac gaming is evolving
Apple also announced more Mac gaming news during WWDC 2023, with surprise guest Hideo Kojima revealing he wasn’t all bringing news Death Stranding Director’s Cut on Mac systems, but also the future titles of his studio. As you can imagine, this is big news given the prestige and recognition it enjoys in the gaming industry.
As I’ve discussed at length, it could be a partnership between Kojima and Apple what the tech giant needs to restart Mac gaming and make more titles playable natively on macOS. And following that revelation, Apple is allowing gamers to play one of the best PC games currently available only on Windows.
While it doesn’t run perfectly and the framerate can sometimes vary wildly between games, the fact that titles like Cyberpunk 2077 And Diablo IV walking at all is incredible. Hopefully this could inspire Apple to continue partnering with different studios and bringing even newer titles to macOS.
A solid gaming offering is key to attracting more interest in Mac gaming, which would help Apple increase its market share in the PC market.
