Compared to Windows, Apple has never been known as the PC brand for gamers. Even with the recent launch of Apple’s in-house “M” processors and a marketing focus on gaming ability, Macs still aren’t the first choice for playing games. Besides the reputation, there are also ecosystem conflicts to consider.
Not all is lost, though, because in this article, we’ll be showing you how to run a Windows Game on a Mac in a few different ways.
If you want to play Windows games on Mac, you have a few different options open to you. Let’s take a look at what they are:
Using a Client
Games have made a big shift to digital purchases and ownership in the past decade, with physical copies in steep decline, especially for PC. Client apps like Steam, Blizzard, and Ubisoft Connect now allow gamers to purchase and install software, and allow them to access titles no matter the device, provided the system requirements are met.
If you own a Windows game on one of these clients, you should be able to download and install a version on Mac, complete with save data and profile information. Just be sure to check the compatibility of the game before doing so.
Cloud Gaming Service
Another easy way to run Windows games on Mac is not to run them directly. Cloud gaming platforms allow you to stream games directly from servers, without the worry of ecosystem clashes or system requirements. A fast internet connection and subscription are enough. Nvidia’s GeForce NOW is a leader, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will allow you to access titles you’ve bought on the Microsoft Store.
Virtual Machine
Say you’ve got an older Windows title that you love and want to play, but are worried about outdated software. A virtual machine running on your Mac might be the answer. All you need to do is download these third-party tools to run either Windows OS or its games in a sandbox environment. Mac has its own VM products, too. Some big examples include:
Parallels – This paid tool is the gold standard for Macs, allowing you to run a Windows OS on your machine. Provided your game doesn’t need anything over DirectX 11, setting up and running titles is a cinch.
Crossover – This is a compatibility layer tool, one that allows you to run individual titles rather than Windows itself. It has less range, but doesn’t require the running of a whole operating system, too (which can be demanding).
DOSBox – It’s not a VM, but an emulator, and is perfect for very, very old titles that aren’t so demanding on computing power.
UTM – This is a free open-source tool, and up to the challenge, but it is for advanced users with its steep learning curve.
Partition Your Mac With Intel Boot Camp
Only older Macs that run Intel processors can be partitioned to install Windows on a sector. Intel Boot Camp will allow you to do this and enjoy both operating systems on one machine, and the games, too. Unfortunately, Boot Camp is not supported on Macs with Apple Silicon chips. But with others, all that’s needed is to reboot every time you want to change systems. You can find this option under “Utilities.”
As an avid gamer, I’ve run into my fair share of error codes and weird faults that have forced me to find fixes to problems I never anticipated. That gave me a passion for sharing those fixes with others so we can all game without feeling like our hardware is rebelling against us.
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