Is it possible to play DirectX 12 games on Mac?
DirectX is a multimedia API developed by Microsoft for their operating system, Windows. In simpler terms, DirectX is a technology that makes it easier for the developers to create games with complex 3D graphics (among other things). Generally speaking, newer versions of DirectX are better than older ones in every aspect; they offer better performance and make games look prettier. So it should come as no surprise that many video game developers are ditching support for DirectX 11 in favor of DirectX 12. However, this development was problematic for one small section of the gaming world: Mac gamers.
There are many ways to run Windows games on Mac, like Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, and VirtualBox. However, none of these applications support DirectX 12 games. For a long time, BootCamp remained the only option for these graphically-sophisticated games, but with the advent of Apple Silicon, this option became obsolete. Apple made an effort to improve the situation by releasing Game Porting Toolkit, a compatibility layer which can run DirectX 12 games. But this tool was aimed at developers, not the average user; it is hard to install and use. But what if we told you that there’s an easier way to play DirectX12 games on Mac?
Play DirectX 12 games on Mac with CrossOver
CrossOver, developed by CodeWeavers, is a Windows compatibility layer similar to GPTK. However, unlike GPTK, CrossOver is aimed at gamers, not at developers; it provides user-friendly configuration tools, automated installation scripts, and technical support. As such, it is a relatively easy way to run Windows software and games on non-Windows devices.
From version 23 onward, CrossOver supports DirectX 12 games; even demanding ones like Diablo IV were confirmed to be playable. As such, it is a great tool for every Mac gamer.
CrossOver is not a free app; it costs $24 (a one-time fee). It is well worth the price, considering its capabilities. However, for those of you who are undecided, CodeWeavers also offer a 14-day free trial; it is identical to the full version in all aspects except the time limit. Two weeks is more than enough to see how well it works on your machine, and maybe even beat a game or two if you’re dedicated enough.
Play DirectX 12 games on Mac with cloud gaming services
Even though CrossOver supports DirectX 12 games, you may have trouble running them if you have an old Mac. In this case, you can use cloud gaming services. These applications run your games on a powerful server, and let you connect to it from your Mac (or other device). Because the game doesn’t run on your computer, its hardware doesn’t matter much, but you do need a fast internet connection. These services also charge a monthly subscription, as these servers cost money to operate.
There are many cloud gaming services on the market, but the best ones are Boosteroid, Xbox Cloud, and NVidia GeForce NOW. They have different strengths and weaknesses; Boosteroid is cheap and has a large game library, GeForce NOW has a (very limited) free trial, while Xbox Cloud lets their users play Xbox games in addition to Windows ones.
Other ways to play DirectX 12 games on Mac
There are other ways to play DirectX12 games on Mac as well, though they’re flawed. Game Porting Toolkit, which we mentioned above, is hard to use, while BootCamp only works on Intel-based Macs. Still, these options should be considered if you have a tight budget.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is very easy to play DirectX 12 games on Mac. CrossOver is the best option if you have a powerful Mac, but if you don’t, you can also use cloud gaming services such as Boosteroid.
Also, while you’re here, you should read other articles on our website. For example, we have a helpful tutorial that explains how to use BlueStacks on Mac, and a listicle that contains best tactical RPGs on Mac.