Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference – aka WWDC – is upon us once more, and the 2025 edition looks like it could ring in some big changes for Apple. The rumor mill says that there are major redesigns planned for iOS on the iPhone, as well as iPadOS, macOS, WatchOS for the Apple Watch, and even tvOS for the Apple TV streaming box. Lots of people will be hoping for news on Apple Intelligence too (although I wouldn’t hold my breath on that if I were you).
But, in the words of the immortal Spice Girls – I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want – and that’s more games for the Mac. I am that rare breed of creature known as the Mac Gamer. It’s a small, select group, mainly consisting of me and Whoopi Goldberg, but it’s growing all the time. After decades of completely ignoring games on the Mac, it looks as though Apple is finally showing some interest.
Game On
Apple has never liked games. John Carmack, one of the creators of Doom and Quake at id Software, once said that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs “didn’t think very highly of games”. Jobs’ attitude meant that Apple effectively ignored gaming on the Mac for decades. “I never took it personally,” said Carmack. This historical context highlights a significant shift in Apple’s focus, especially in recent times.
You may like
That state of affairs began to change at WWDC in 2023. After making headlines with the debut of the Vision Pro headset, Apple quietly introduced a new software tool called the Game Porting ToolKit (GPT), specifically designed to help developers produce Mac versions of their PC games.
Apple’s MacBooks can play the latest games – though you might need to do a bit of graphical tweaking if you’re not running the latest Apple Silicon.
(Image credit: Apple)
This move marked a real change in Apple’s attitude towards gaming. The launch of GPT helped bring several AAA titles to Mac for the first time, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Control, Death Stranding, and various Resident Evil games. However, it remains true that many A-list PC games still do not make their way to Mac. As we look ahead to WWDC 2025, here’s a wishlist for the Mac gaming scene.
More Powerful Hardware
Even the best MacBooks and Macs have often been criticized for lacking the performance needed to run modern 3D graphics. In fact, Macs could not handle ray-tracing until the introduction of Apple’s M3 processors about 18 months ago. Even now, many Mac games require top-of-the-line Mac models to run at high graphical settings. In contrast, there are several impressive gaming PCs available for under £1000/$1000, showcasing the need for Apple to enhance the gaming capabilities of more Mac models.
The potential for improvement is evident. Many users seek a lightweight system that can serve both work and gaming purposes, rather than having a desktop-replacement powerhouse that loses battery quickly. Apple has the opportunity to cater to this demand.
The Mac operating system relies on Metal for 3D graphics, while PC games typically use Microsoft’s DirectX software. This difference poses a significant challenge for developers when porting games to Mac. The Game Porting Toolkit addresses these challenges, and an update to GPT at WWDC could reaffirm Apple’s commitment to gaming. Acquiring Codeweavers, developers of the open-source CrossOver software partly based on GPT, could also facilitate the process of bringing more Windows games to Mac.
You may like
Open Up The App Store
Currently, many Mac games are exclusive to Apple’s Mac App Store. Even if users purchase a game like Control: Ultimate Edition on Steam or the Epic Games Store, they still need to buy the Mac version separately on the Mac App Store, essentially paying for the same game twice. Additionally, games on the App Store tend to be pricier compared to their Steam or Epic counterparts, which often have sales and discounts.
Baldur’s Gate 3 was a big win for Mac gamers, but it’s not as if Windows players can’t enjoy the iconic title.
(Image credit: Larian)
This situation applies to many other titles as well. Apple needs to grant developers more freedom to sell their Mac games outside of the Mac App Store. Unfortunately, ongoing legal issues with Epic over App Store policies make this change seem less likely. However, successful models from games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Hades 2, where users can purchase a game once and access either Mac or PC versions, may pave the way for change in this area.
Revamp Apple Arcade
Apple generates significant revenue from its subscription services, and Apple Arcade was intended to offer a competitive alternative to gaming services like Microsoft’s Game Pass. But while Game Pass entices players with recent hits such as Oblivion Remastered, Apple Arcade has been criticized for featuring aging mobile titles that lack depth.
The selection of ‘Role-Playing Games’ currently on Apple Arcade is… feeble at best.
(Image credit: Apple)
The current selection of Mac games is underwhelming. To change this perception, Apple needs to collaborate with developers to bring notable A-list titles to Apple Arcade. Although Apple consistently announces exciting games at WWDC, it must maintain that commitment throughout the year if it truly wants the Mac to be regarded as a legitimate gaming platform. Zigazig ah!
For further details on Apple’s upcoming changes and commitments to the gaming community, check out Here.
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
