Apple must demonstrate trust in gamers by allowing them to track frame rates and adjust graphics settings themselves.
Gaming on Mac has evolved significantly, but for it to be taken seriously, Apple still has work to do. The new public beta for macOS 26 introduces gaming updates that may not win over skeptics, yet it represents a pivotal moment. Apple needs to loosen its grip and let players take control.
In macOS 26, Apple has introduced a new Game Overlay and Games app. The Game Overlay allows users to easily adjust brightness, volume, or communicate with friends while gaming. It also includes features for achievements and leaderboards. Meanwhile, the Games app serves as a simple launcher, aiming to carve out a niche in the gaming marketplace dominated by Steam.
However, the Game Overlay feels underdeveloped compared to Steam’s offerings. Steam provides robust features like game recording, voice settings, playtime metrics, and performance monitoring. While Macs have a Metal performance monitor, it’s cumbersome to access, requiring a Terminal command to enable. Currently, Apple keeps performance metrics separate, making it difficult for users to monitor their gaming experience effectively.
Apple appears to understand gamers’ needs but isn’t fully delivering. Recently, the Metal monitor received a hidden update that includes data on MetalFX upscaling, which enhances performance by increasing resolution. If Apple wanted to improve this further, it could adopt Steam’s recent updates that display FPS metrics during gameplay.
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It seems Apple prefers to restrict frame rates to 30 or 60 FPS, aiming for a console-like experience. The variety in Mac specifications complicates gaming, unlike the more standardized setups found in consoles. Apple depends on its own hardware ecosystem, particularly its M-series processors, to ensure compatibility.
Through titles like Resident Evil 4, Apple aims for high performance on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. However, expectations differ for personal computers, where users seek greater flexibility. Apple needs to convey its commitment to gaming, which is why the recent port of Cyberpunk 2077 to Mac is significant. The game performs well on a MacBook Air M4, but only after adjusting settings to disable VSync.
To gain traction in the gaming market, Apple must ease its stringent control over its ecosystem. The latest Macs possess the graphics capabilities to handle demanding games, and while Apple has promoted gaming peripherals, that alone isn’t sufficient. The company needs to recognize that gamers are savvy enough to manage their graphics settings and find their preferred balance of performance and visual quality.
SOURCE: GIZMODO
