UPDATE: Cyberpunk 2077 has officially launched on Mac, marking a significant milestone for Apple gamers eager to dive into the visually stunning world of Night City. This urgent update comes just hours after the game became available on October 25, 2023, with players across the globe eager to test its performance on various Mac models.
The game runs on CD Projekt Red’s demanding engine, pushing the limits of Apple’s hardware. While it’s playable, many users will experience a stark difference from traditional PC gaming, with some MacBook models struggling to maintain optimal frame rates. The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines are now seeing their first serious gaming test, and the results are mixed.
Initial reports reveal that users on the M4 MacBook Air 13 will find the game defaulting to a lower resolution of 1,170 x 1,068, resulting in frame rates hovering just above 40 fps. This is a notable drop from the device’s native display resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. The automatic settings, which include enabling VSync, cap the frame rate at 30 fps, leading to a less responsive gaming experience.
For those using the M1 MacBooks, the situation is even more dire, as they can only manage a resolution of 900p, making gameplay nearly unplayable. The MacBook Pro 14, priced at $1,600, faces similar challenges, with a resolution of 1,800 x 1,125 yielding inconsistent performance.
Notably, players using the latest high-end models, such as the $2,500 MacBook Pro 16 with the M4 Pro chip, can achieve playable frame rates above 70 fps when settings are adjusted to 1,728 x 1,080. Furthermore, the game can run at 4K but sacrifices frame rates to below 40 fps with minimal ray tracing effects.
Players are already voicing their frustrations over the lack of customizable settings, which have traditionally been a staple of PC gaming. The current default settings provided by Apple limit the game’s potential, leaving many to wonder how this will affect Apple’s gaming strategy moving forward.
As Apple ventures further into the gaming landscape, the question remains: can MacBooks become viable gaming rigs? The answer lies in the willingness of consumers to invest in higher-end models that can handle demanding titles without compromising performance.
For now, Apple fans are urged to adjust their graphics settings manually to enhance their gameplay experience, as relying on automatic configurations can lead to a subpar experience. With the gaming community closely watching, it’s clear that the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac is just the beginning of a new chapter in Apple’s gaming ambitions.
Stay tuned for further updates as more players test the limits of Cyberpunk 2077 on various Mac models.
