In a thrilling announcement for gamers, Cyberpunk 2077 is set to launch on macOS later this week. Originally slated for a 2025 release, the much-anticipated Ultimate Edition will officially hit the shelves on July 17th. This version will be available for Apple silicon devices through various platforms, including the Mac App Store, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.com.
Game developer CD Projekt Red has worked diligently to optimize Cyberpunk 2077 for a wide range of Mac hardware. This includes support for early M1 models up to the latest M4 chip family. However, it's important to note that only specific M1 and M2 Macs will be compatible. To enjoy the game, players will need a Mac equipped with at least 16GB of unified memory, meaning the base 8GB M1 and M2 models will not support this title.
The Ultimate Edition will feature graphics presets tailored for each Apple silicon model. More powerful chips will benefit from advanced graphical capabilities such as path tracing, a film-like full ray tracing mode that significantly enhances lighting and occlusion in the game. Additionally, AMD’s FSR upscaling and frame generation will contribute to a smoother gaming experience, especially when path tracing is enabled.
Alongside these features, players can expect MetalFX upscaling support. The game will also be compatible with Apple’s Magic Mouse and Trackpad, providing a seamless gaming experience. While Apple and CD Projekt Red have yet to release specific performance metrics for different Apple silicon configurations, gamers are eager to see how the title performs on various setups.
For Mac owners with an Apple XDR display or any HDR monitor, Cyberpunk 2077 will offer HDR support, enhancing visual quality. Furthermore, the game will feature spatial audio and head-tracking capabilities for users of Apple AirPods, adding another layer of immersion to the gaming experience.
Interestingly, Mac users have been able to run Cyberpunk 2077 on their devices for the past couple of years, thanks to Apple’s Proton-like game porting tool. This official release marks a significant milestone as it allows the game to leverage the full capabilities of Apple silicon and the native Metal graphics APIs, including its innovative Tile-Based Deferred Rendering (TBDR) architecture.
The launch of Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac coincides with CD Projekt Red's release of the latest 2.3 patch, which introduces new cars and exciting features for the photo mode. Moreover, the game will support cross-progression across all platforms and includes the highly praised Phantom Liberty expansion along with all significant updates released to date.
With its launch on macOS, Cyberpunk 2077 is poised to deliver an exceptional gaming experience for Mac users. Keep an eye out for its release and prepare to dive into the vibrant world of Night City!