Does Apple Really Care About Gaming on the Mac?

TLDRApple's commitment to gaming on the Mac has been half-hearted historically, but with the introduction of Apple Silicon, every Mac sold today is capable of gaming. However, Apple's gaming problem is not one of hardware or software, but a strategic problem. To make gaming on the Mac successful, Apple needs either market share or money to invest in exclusive games or game studios.

Key insights

🎮With Apple Silicon, every Mac is now capable of gaming out of the box.

💡Apple's gaming problem is not one of hardware or software, but a strategic problem.

💰Apple needs either market share or money to invest in exclusive games or game studios to make gaming on the Mac successful.

🔒Apple's GamePorting Toolkit (GPT) allows developers to run DirectX games on macOS, but it is targeted at developers, not end users.

🏆Apple needs to improve the Mac App Store for discoverability and downloading games to attract game developers and end users.

Q&A

Can every Mac play AAA games?

—While every Mac sold today is capable of gaming, no Mac, regardless of price, can match the gaming performance of even upper mid-range PCs.

What is Apple's GPT?

—Apple's Game Porting Toolkit (GPT) is a graphics emulation layer that allows DirectX games to run on macOS. However, it is primarily targeted at game developers, not end users.

Why is the Mac App Store not popular for games?

—The Mac App Store is not popular for games due to its poor discoverability and downloading experience compared to platforms like Steam or Windows game launchers.

Is Apple planning to improve gaming on the Mac?

—Apple has shown some interest in desktop gaming with its hardware advancements and discussions about game mode and GPT. However, to make gaming on the Mac successful, Apple needs to address its strategic challenges.

What can Apple do to improve gaming on the Mac?

—To improve gaming on the Mac, Apple needs either to increase market share or invest in exclusive games or game studios. They also need to improve the Mac App Store and create a separate program designed specifically for games.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Apple has a history of half-hearted commitment to gaming on the Mac.

01:45Apple's introduction of Apple Silicon has made every Mac capable of gaming.

03:15Apple's gaming problem is not one of hardware or software, but a strategic problem.

04:57Apple's Game Porting Toolkit (GPT) allows DirectX games to run on macOS, but it is targeted at developers, not end users.

06:12The Mac App Store is not popular for games due to its poor discoverability and downloading experience.

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