Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac? Yep, It’s Happening in Early 2025, and Here’s Why It’s a Big Deal

CD Projekt Red is finally bringing Cyberpunk 2077 to Apple devices in early 2025. Known for its bustling open world, futuristic tech vibes, and a journey that had a rocky start but came through stronger, Cyberpunk 2077 is set to launch on Apple’s M1 and M2 chip-equipped machines with all the visuals and tech goodies intact. Let’s dive into what this means for gamers and why it’s a big win for Apple and Cyberpunk fans alike.

Why Now? Apple’s Push for AAA Gaming

For years, gaming on Mac has been…well, not quite there. Apple, despite creating powerful devices, has lagged in the gaming world compared to Windows PCs. But that narrative is changing. With the introduction of Apple Silicon, starting with the M1 chip, and its follow-up M2, Apple is making moves to woo developers into bringing high-quality, AAA games to its platform.

To date, we’ve already seen games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin’s Creed Mirage pop up on Apple’s platform, signalling that Apple wants to be taken seriously by hardcore gamers. Bringing Cyberpunk 2077—a complex and demanding open-world RPG—is a significant step that reinforces Apple’s dedication to transforming Macs into legit gaming machines.

What Mac Users Can Expect from Cyberpunk 2077

If you’re a Cyberpunk 2077 fan or someone who’s been waiting to play it on a Mac, there’s good news. This won’t be just any port; it’s launching as an “Ultimate Edition,” which bundles the base game with the well-received Phantom Liberty expansion. Not only does this mean Mac players get the full story and experience, but they’ll also enjoy the highly anticipated upgrades that improve graphics and gameplay.

Advanced Features Galore

According to CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac will come with advanced features, such as:

• Path Tracing: Often dubbed as the “next level of ray tracing,” path tracing aims to make lighting, shadows, and reflections more realistic, enhancing the game’s visuals.
• Frame Generation: This is a game-changer for smoother gameplay, especially on high-resolution displays. Frame generation essentially creates additional frames, meaning even smoother visuals, especially during fast-paced action.
• Spatial Audio: Here’s where immersion goes into overdrive. Spatial audio gives that surround-sound vibe, making every street corner and crowded Night City bar feel that much more real.

Cross-Platform Goodies

If you already own Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam, you won’t need to buy the game again on Mac! CD Projekt Red is ensuring that Steam owners get access to the Mac version as soon as it drops. So whether you’re gaming on a Mac or a PC, you can enjoy the Night City experience without extra cost. This setup is great for players who switch between Mac and PC, making gaming more flexible.

Apple Silicon’s Role: Why M1 and M2 Matter

Apple’s M1 and M2 chips have changed the game for Mac performance. The M1, launched in 2020, showed impressive results, outperforming many Intel-based laptops, especially when it came to energy efficiency and integrated graphics. The M2 then upped the ante even further with enhanced performance and graphics capabilities.

For Cyberpunk 2077, Apple’s powerful chips mean that the game will run smoothly on compatible Macs without needing high-end external GPUs, something earlier Mac models would’ve struggled with. The move makes gaming on Macs a lot more accessible, pushing Apple even closer to being a serious player in the gaming hardware space.

How Does This Impact Apple’s Gaming Future?

Bringing Cyberpunk 2077 to Mac represents a milestone for Apple, and it also sets the stage for more AAA games on macOS. Historically, developers have been hesitant to target Macs due to limited gaming hardware and smaller market demand. But now, with Apple’s enhanced hardware and this Cyberpunk 2077 announcement, we’re looking at a future where the latest gaming titles might actually be within reach for Mac users.

Moreover, CD Projekt Red’s decision to work with Apple shows that other developers might follow suit. Who knows? This could open doors for other major studios to launch their top games on Apple’s platform, making it a more viable option for gamers who want to avoid building out a separate gaming rig.

The Cyberpunk Journey: From Rocky Launch to Redemption

For those who may not know, Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t exactly have a smooth launch. When it was first released in December 2020, it was hit with a wave of criticism due to bugs, glitches, and performance issues. CD Projekt Red’s ambitious promises didn’t seem to align with the game’s initial quality, especially on last-gen consoles.

However, over the past few years, the developers have worked hard to fix bugs, optimize performance, and add meaningful content through updates. Today, with the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion and an extensive list of improvements, Cyberpunk 2077 has finally won back fans, delivering on much of the promise that drew players in the first place.

^{Source: Eurogamer}