CD Projekt Red Releases Witcher Games for Apple Silicon-Macs
CD Projekt Red, the developer studio behind The Witcher series, has recently made the first two installments of the popular game franchise available for M-Series-SoCs on Macs. This means that The Witcher: Enhanced Edition and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings can now be played on all current Apple Silicon-Macs, thanks to a compatibility update that can be obtained for free through Steam, GOG, and the App Store. However, please note that macOS 11 Big Sur is required to run the games smoothly.
This development comes just over a decade after the initial release of The Witcher games for Mac, which at that time only supported Intel-Macs. CD Projekt Red’s recent update eliminates the need for Rosetta translation from x86 to ARM, making the games playable on current Macs.
In terms of system requirements, players must have at least macOS 11 Big Sur installed, although newer versions such as Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma are also supported. While CD Projekt Red recommends Apple Silicon Macs, the studio does not provide detailed information on which GPU configurations are optimal for the game, considering the significant difference between M1 and M3 Max.
It remains uncertain whether the highly acclaimed Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will receive the same treatment. While the first two Witcher games have now been made available for Mac, the third installment of the series was never released on the platform. Adapting it for Apple Silicon-Macs would likely require more extensive modifications.
Nevertheless, CD Projekt Red has shown its commitment to the Witcher franchise in the past. Just last year, the studio released a free next-gen update for PC, introducing features like ray tracing, modern upscaling, and higher-resolution textures. Additionally, the developer plans to provide an official mod editor next year. It seems that the journey of the Witcher is far from over, even almost nine years after the release of his third adventure.
FAQ:
Q: Which games in The Witcher series are now available for Macs with M-Series-SoCs?
A: The Witcher: Enhanced Edition and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings are now available for Macs with M-Series-SoCs.
Q: How can I obtain the compatibility update for these games?
A: The compatibility update can be obtained for free through Steam, GOG, and the App Store.
Q: What version of macOS is required to run the games smoothly?
A: macOS 11 Big Sur is required to run the games smoothly.
Q: Are newer versions of macOS supported?
A: Yes, newer versions such as Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma are also supported.
Q: Which Macs are recommended for playing these games?
A: Apple Silicon Macs are recommended, but the studio does not provide specific information on optimal GPU configurations.
Q: Will The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt be made available for Apple Silicon-Macs?
A: It is currently uncertain if The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will receive a compatibility update for Apple Silicon-Macs.
Q: What updates were introduced for the PC version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt?
A: The studio released a free next-gen update for the PC version, introducing features like ray tracing, modern upscaling, and higher-resolution textures.
Q: Does CD Projekt Red have any plans for the future of the Witcher franchise?
A: Yes, CD Projekt Red plans to provide an official mod editor next year and continues to show commitment to the Witcher franchise.
Definitions:
– M-Series-SoCs: Refers to the M-Series System-on-chips designed by Apple for their Mac devices. SoCs (System-on-chips) are integrated circuits that combine multiple components, such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU), into a single chip.
– Apple Silicon-Macs: Refers to Mac devices that utilize Apple’s proprietary ARM-based processors instead of Intel processors. Apple Silicon is the term used for Apple’s own processors designed specifically for Macs.
– Rosetta translation: Rosetta is a translation software developed by Apple that allows apps built for Intel-based Macs to run on Apple Silicon-Macs. It translates the x86 instructions used by Intel chips to ARM instructions used by Apple Silicon.
– GPU: Stands for Graphics Processing Unit. It is a specialized electronic circuit designed to process and render images, animations, and videos. In the context of gaming, a powerful GPU is often required for optimal graphics performance.
– Ray tracing: A rendering technique used in computer graphics to simulate the behavior of light. It enhances the realism of lighting and reflections in virtual environments by tracing the path of individual rays of light.
– Mod editor: A software tool provided by the game developer that enables players to create and modify game content, such as new levels, characters, or gameplay mechanics. It allows players to customize and personalize their gaming experience.
Suggested Related Links:
– CD Projekt Red
– Steam
– GOG
– macOS Big Sur