Apple is pushing the Arcade subscription and the idea that Macs are good for gaming. There’s even a new game mode in macOS. Despite these efforts, gaming options on Mac are limited compared to PC or consoles. Nearly every Apple device offers a 90 day free trial. If you cancel the subscription early, the trial ends immediately.
There are a few bright spots in the Mac gaming landscape, but there are also glaring issues that will hold the platform back for years. But why? Let’s discuss.
Storage & Memory Cost
Base Macs offer 256 GB of storage and the 512 upgrade costs $200. The base 8 GB memory is not enough for games and the 16 upgrade costs $200. For $400, you could buy Xbox Series S and 2-3 AAA games and Microsoft throws in a controller. Xbox has a larger game library. Series S is a better value.
Render Hardware
Even at native resolutions in Metal, Mac renders often look worse than a PC or modern console. That’s why it’s a big deal that M3 offers ray tracing, available from NVidia hardware since 2018. Apple has lagged in terms of hardware support and PC and console usually take priority over Mac ports.
Cooling Limitations
Mac cooling remains a barrier to high-fidelity game development. Apple Silicon versions of the Air are passively cooled. M3 Air may have the same SoC as M3 MacBook Pro (which offers a fan), but Air’s passive cooling means that it cannot sustain performance over time. Gaming still needs fans.
Developers want broad compatibility, including MacBook Air. Apple Silicon mostly offers greater graphical power than Intel Macs, but AAA titles will be more difficult to port and optimize. The MacBook Air is Apple’s most popular machine and that means a huge segment of the Mac user base lacks active cooling. That’s bad for games.
The Mac has problematic support for legacy games. Apple removed support for 32-bit apps in Catalina (macOS 10.15), released in 2019. Mac games developed in 32-bit are usually not updated to 64-bit. These older games can’t run on modern Macs and probably never will. Steam itself has already lost 32-bit support on Mac.
Apple’s recent fights with Epic could impact development for games powered by Unreal. Epic CEO, Tim Sweeney, says that more than half of announced current-generation console games will be powered by Unreal Engine. And version 5.2 now supports Apple Silicon Macs, but Apple recently blocked and then unblocked Epic’s developer account. This move, amongst others, could sour developers on Apple and create a chilling effect in the developer community.
Could Epic end support for Unreal Engine on Mac? We believe it’s a possibility. Even if it doesn’t happen, the mere possibility could trigger developers to cease development of games and experiences for Vision Pro. This is a potentially serious threat to the viability of any future Apple headset. It could be existential.
And yet we have discovered Mac games we genuinely love. There are some fantastic ports that bring us joy. If your Mac has ≥16 GB of memory and ≥512 GB of storage, here are some games worth consideration:
Psychonauts 2
A 3D platformer themed around mental health, the game is loaded with loveable characters, brilliant storytelling, and psychedelic vocals from Jack Black. It’s one of the first games to support wide gamut HDR for incredible brightness and saturated colors. It mostly runs well on M1 Pro. Available through Steam and App Store, it needs 31 GB.
Baulder’s Gate 3
A popular RPG based on rules from Dungeons and Dragons. BG3 has been one of the top 10 Steam games in concurrent players. It’s gory, but the rich characters, dynamic storytelling, and voice acting are difficult to match. It requires 143 GB, so make sure you have plenty of storage. Only available through Steam.
Stray
A 3D platformer where you play as a cat navigating a dystopian future where humans are replaced by robots. Environments include verdant outdoor spaces, urban streets, and industrial settings. The movement, fur, and feline eccentricities feel natural. It’s one of the cutest games and only 8 GB. On Steam and App Store. Meow!
So, should you buy a Mac for gaming? Definitely not. But if you already have one, there are a few good options.
Disclaimer: We own NVidia stock and this entry was typed using 16″ MacBook Pro (base M1 Pro).