Briefly: Apple Silicon processors can run demanding AAA video games like Resident Evil, Murderer’s Creed, and Baldur’s Gate 3 at excessive body charges, however Cyberpunk 2077 is on one other stage. The bleeding-edge RPG will doubtless put Macs to the last word take a look at because it brings new applied sciences to Apple’s platform.
CD Projekt Crimson and Apple have confirmed plans to launch Cyberpunk 2077 and its enlargement, Phantom Liberty, on Apple Silicon Macs early subsequent yr. Whereas an actual launch date remains to be forthcoming, the sport shall be out there on the Mac App Retailer, Steam, GOG, and the Epic Video games Retailer.
It stays unclear whether or not customers who already personal the sport on any of these platforms will robotically obtain entry to the Mac port. Provided that CDPR particularly talked about the Final Version bundle, it’s attainable that the Mac model shall be free for present Phantom Liberty house owners.
The primary-person RPG, which launched to harsh criticism in late 2020 however redeemed itself with vital patches over the next three years, shall be an fascinating take a look at of Apple Silicon’s gaming capabilities. Though some high-end video games run easily on current Mac methods, none make the most of the demanding ray tracing expertise that Cyberpunk 2077 is known for.
As an illustration, the Mac launch of Resident Evil Village disabled the ray tracing options out there within the PC and console variations. In contrast, Apple and CDPR have confirmed that the macOS launch of Cyberpunk will embody path tracing – a extra superior type of ray tracing that, when utilized in 4K, challenges even essentially the most highly effective devoted graphics playing cards.
In a current overview of ray tracing implementations throughout 36 video games, we cited CDPR’s RPG as considered one of a handful of titles the place the expertise considerably enhances visible high quality.
Additionally learn: Path Tracing vs. Ray Tracing, Defined
Apple’s processors are anticipated to rely closely on MetalFX to run the sport. MetalFX upscaling has beforehand proven efficiency and picture high quality outcomes similar to Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR, however Cyberpunk 2077 is the primary title confirmed to combine body technology into Apple’s toolchain.
The sport’s announcement coincides with the reveal of an upgraded iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Professional, that includes the M4, M4 Professional, and M4 Max processors.
Apple can also be anticipated to launch M4-powered variations of the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Professional subsequent yr. The Mac Professional might even function an as-yet-unannounced M4 Extremely processor, which might additional improve efficiency for duties like path tracing.
A grid of upcoming Apple Silicon titles, proven throughout the M4 MacBook Professional unveiling presentation, means that extra high-end video games are anticipated to return to the Mac subsequent yr.
The presentation included a quick clip from the upcoming Murderer’s Creed Shadows, which can additionally make the most of ray tracing on M-series chips. Different titles within the lineup embody RoboCop: Rogue Metropolis, Management (one other sport recognized for its RT results), Useless Island 2, Resident Evil 2, and The place Winds Meet.
