Mac gaming faces strange times lately. Companies release many big games for macOS, but players rarely buy them. Ubisoft plans to launch Assassin's Creed: Shadows for Mac users on March 20, the same day it arrives on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. This news might excite Mac gamers until they learn about the price tag - $70 - and that you can only find it on the Mac App Store, not Steam.
This setup creates major problems for people who use both Mac and Windows computers. Steam refuses to include files for both systems in one purchase, so anyone wanting to play on both platforms must pay twice for the exact same game. Many folks hesitate to spend double the money on identical content, which explains why Mac gaming struggles despite hardware improvements.
The App Store listing says you need at least an M1 chip to run the game. Players hoping for fancy ray-tracing effects must upgrade to M3 processors or newer models. Nobody knows exactly how fast the game will run yet, but recent Pro, Max, and Ultra chips pack enough power to handle demanding games at decent speeds.
The current situation frustrates players who want to enjoy games across different devices. Game companies might attract more Mac customers by offering cross-platform purchases. Until something changes, Mac gaming may continue struggling despite having capable hardware and increasing game availability. Asking customers to pay twice creates barriers that many gamers simply refuse to cross.
This setup creates major problems for people who use both Mac and Windows computers. Steam refuses to include files for both systems in one purchase, so anyone wanting to play on both platforms must pay twice for the exact same game. Many folks hesitate to spend double the money on identical content, which explains why Mac gaming struggles despite hardware improvements.
The App Store listing says you need at least an M1 chip to run the game. Players hoping for fancy ray-tracing effects must upgrade to M3 processors or newer models. Nobody knows exactly how fast the game will run yet, but recent Pro, Max, and Ultra chips pack enough power to handle demanding games at decent speeds.
The current situation frustrates players who want to enjoy games across different devices. Game companies might attract more Mac customers by offering cross-platform purchases. Until something changes, Mac gaming may continue struggling despite having capable hardware and increasing game availability. Asking customers to pay twice creates barriers that many gamers simply refuse to cross.
