The arrival of Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac should only be the tip of the iceberg

CD Projekt Red has officially announced this Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will arrive on Apple silicon-equipped Macs in early 2025. This version is optimized to use Apple hardware and the Metal graphics API, and to offer advanced features such as path tracing, frame generation, and built-in spatial audio.

Historically, however, CDPR support for macOS has been limited. the sorcerer and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings were released for the Mac, but suffered from performance issues and were criticized for poor optimization. The Witcher 3: Wild Huntdespite its critical acclaim, it was not officially available on macOS, leaving Mac users without access to one of CDPR's flagship titles. However, now that Cyberpunk 2077 into the mix, it should only be the tip of the iceberg.

The release of Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac should allow for better support and more releases

Now that CDPR has announced its release Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Mac, should provide more than this one-time release. By optimizing the game for Apple silicon, CDPR would demonstrate its commitment to providing a high-quality gaming experience for Mac users. Better yet, it could enable future support for other titles, including the ability to bring The Witcher 3 on macOS.

Apple's recent advances in hardware and software have made the Mac a more viable gaming platform. The introduction of Apple's silicon has significantly improved performance capabilities, and the Metal graphics API has matured to support complex gaming requirements. CDPR's decision to bring Cyberpunk 2077 to Mac aligns with these developments and suggests a recognition of the growing potential of the Mac gaming market.

Fixing Witcher 1 and Witcher 2 should be a priority

Improving the performance of the sorcerer and The Witcher 2 it could be a relatively inexpensive effort that would build goodwill among Mac gamers. the sorcerer and Cyberpunk 2077 they are two separate game franchises, but have somewhat overlapping fan bases. If the first two installments of the sorcerer are prioritized first and CDPR is actively engaged in resolving the issues communicated so far would create a sense of trust among the community and help build trust.

If the studio ends up taking it a step further and coming up with an even more aggressive, ambitious approach, the second step could be to bring The Witcher 3 to Mac, and that would instantly satisfy long-standing demand and expand CDPR's reach in the gaming community. The result could be a snowball among Mac gamers and CDPR would become the flag that enables a quality gaming experience among Mac users.

Project Orion could have Mac support from day one

looking ahead Project Orionthe following continuation of Cyberpunk 2077represents an opportunity for CDPR to strengthen its commitment to the Mac platform. A simultaneous Mac release would broaden the player base and enhance CDPR's reputation for accessibility. Early Mac support could also position CDPR as a leader in cross-platform development, and that would set a precedent for other developers to follow.

If the release of Cyberpunk 2077 on the Mac is doing well, it could have wider implications for the gaming industry. As one of the few AAA game developers to bring a flagship game to macOS, CDPR could inspire other major game developers to consider the platform. This aligns with Apple's broader goal of making Macs the gaming platform of choice, supported by features like MetalFX Upscaling and Game Mode. A successful launch could therefore create a virtuous cycle, increasing demand and leading to more Mac game releases.

At the same time, while Apple's silicon is powerful, it's still relatively new, and even optimized games can run into unforeseen performance issues. These risks could deter CDPR from a long-term commitment to the platform, especially if
Cyberpunk 2077
experiencing performance problems or not achieving satisfactory sales.