Playing games on your Mac is simpler than you think. Recent macOS updates have made it increasingly easier to enjoy a wide range of games. While occasional bugs, performance hiccups, and compatibility issues might arise, dedicated Mac gamers have several viable options. This guide explores two primary methods: a user-friendly approach and a more technically involved one.
CrossOver on macOS.
The Easy Route: CrossOver
CrossOver simplifies Windows game compatibility by translating Windows commands into Mac-compatible instructions. While theoretically supporting any Windows application, its strength lies in gaming optimizations. A dedicated development team constantly refines CrossOver, ensuring smoother performance for various titles.
However, some limitations exist. DirectX 12 support is still in development, restricting users to DirectX 11 games for now. Additionally, CrossOver requires a $74 purchase after a 14-day free trial.
Step 1: Download and Install: Visit the CrossOver website and initiate the free trial. This allows ample testing before committing to a purchase.
Step 2: Launch CrossOver: Unzip the downloaded folder and double-click the CrossOver application. This will automatically relocate it to your Applications folder.
Step 3: Activate Trial/License: Upon launching, choose “Try Now” for the trial. If you’ve purchased a license, enter your account details to unlock the full version.
Step 4: Install a Game Launcher: While CrossOver allows direct installation of some games, using a game launcher like Steam is recommended. This centralizes game management.
Step 5: Install Steam (Example): Select Steam within CrossOver and click “Install.” Follow the on-screen prompts, including installing necessary fonts and components.
Step 6: Manage Games within Steam: Once installed, launch Steam and install your games as you would on a Windows PC. CrossOver creates a “bottle” – a contained environment – for each application, keeping your games organized. Within CrossOver, you can access your Steam bottle to manage games, configure controllers, and perform other actions.
Setting up the Game Porting Toolkit on a Macbook.
The Challenging Path: Game Porting Toolkit
For DirectX 12 gaming on a Mac, Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit is necessary. This developer-centric tool offers more control but comes with potential setup complexities and bugs. macOS Sequoia (currently in beta via the Apple Beta Software Program) is a prerequisite. While we outline the setup steps here, consider using the open-source tool Whisky to streamline the process.
Step 1: Download Necessary Tools: From the Apple Developer website, download the Command Line Tools for Xcode 15 and the Game Porting Toolkit. Install the Command Line Tools and mount the Game Porting Toolkit .dmg file.
Step 2: Prepare the Terminal: Open Terminal and execute the following commands sequentially:
Step 3: Install Rosetta (for M1/M2 Macs): softwareupdate --install-rosetta
Step 4: Open x86 Shell: arch -x86_64 zsh
Step 5: Install Homebrew: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)" (Skip if already installed.)
Step 6: Verify Homebrew Path: which brew (Ensure it points to /usr/local/bin/brew.)
Step 7: Tap Apple Repository: brew tap apple/apple http://github.com/apple/homebrew-apple
Step 8: Install Game Porting Toolkit: brew -v install apple/apple/game-porting-toolkit
Step 9: Set Up Virtual C: Drive: WINEPREFIX=~/my-game-prefix brew -prefix game-porting-toolkit/bin/wine64 winecfg (Choose Windows 10 in the configuration.)
Step 10: Copy Toolkit Files: ditto /Volumes/Game\ Porting\ Toolkit-1.0.2/lib/brew –prefix game-porting-toolkit/lib/
Step 11: Download Game Installer (Example: Steam): Download the Windows installer for your desired game (e.g., Steam) to your Downloads folder.
Step 12: Run Installer: gameportingtoolkit ~/my-game-prefix ~/Downloads/SteamSetup.exe
Step 13: Launch Game/Application: gameportingtoolkit ~/my-game-prefix 'C\Program Files (x86)/Steam/steam.exe' (Replace the path for other applications.)
Step 14: Use Whisky (Recommended): Whisky simplifies this process considerably.
Game Streaming: Another Viable Option
Game streaming services offer a convenient alternative. Services like GeForce Now provide access to a vast library of games with high-quality graphics and low latency, compatible with Macs and other devices.
Conclusion
Mac gaming continues to evolve. CrossOver provides a user-friendly experience, while the Game Porting Toolkit caters to advanced users seeking DirectX 12 compatibility. Game streaming offers another accessible path. While bugs might occur, options abound for enjoying a wide range of games on your Mac. Consider dual-booting Windows for ultimate flexibility.
