Video games have become one of the most popular pastimes in recent years. According to PR Newswire, about 214 million Americans play video games. The trend is also noticeable not just among younger people but older demographics as well.

Answers Revealed: Can Mac Owners Now Enjoy Gaming on Their Computers?

Personal computers and consoles with their exclusive video games are a good way to relax after work and relieve some stress.

Can Mac Owners Enjoy Gaming on Their Computers?

However, is it possible to have that for someone who owns a MacBook? Most gamers would probably tell you to stay away from macOS because the system is not optimal to get proper performance and enjoy video games as you could on other devices.

On the other hand, MacBooks still are computers, meaning that you should be able to play video games on them. The question is how to approach the problem and get the most out of your computer.

Avoiding Resource-Heavy Games

Running AAA video games on ultra settings will clearly not work for someone who owns a MacBook. Therefore, it would probably be better to avoid resource-heavy games in general because they tend to be visually-driven, and setting the lowest graphics will break immersion and suck out any enjoyment out of a video game.

Instead, you should take a different approach and stick to games that are not as resource-heavy as some of the most popular AAA titles.

If anything, there are plenty of great indie games that are just as good, if not better, than some of the contemporary video games with a massive budget. Sometimes, a story, atmosphere, and soundtrack are worth more than great graphics.

Some of the more recent examples include games like Hades, Valheim, Cuphead, The Binding of Isaac, Hollow Knight, Super Meat Boy, and Transistor.

It is no secret that some developers aim to focus on accommodating the needs of Mac owners or those who have low-end PCs and laptops.

Besides indie games, one could also try playing card collectible card games. Magic the Gathering, Hearthstone, Slay the Spire, and Gwent are some of the most popular CCG titles at the moment, and running them on a macOS should not be an issue.

Tinkering With Game Settings

If you purchased a new MacBook quite recently, and it happens to be one of the best models with great hardware, counting out AAA games straight away would be premature.

Before you decide not to play any video games or stick to indie games, try some testing to see whether some video games are running okay even if the MacBook specifications do not meet the minimum requirements.

Also, like already mentioned, some games require high graphics if you want to truly enjoy them, but it does not mean that there is no room to change some in-game settings.

Lowering graphics, disabling redundant visual effects like shadows or water textures, locking in FPS, and switching to the windowed mode might make a difference and let you enjoy resource-heavy video games.

Improving the Computer’s Performance

The cause behind poor performance could be the computer itself rather than video game requirements. Some Mac owners neglect to take proper care of their devices only to end up with an underperforming MacBook that would not run even an indie game.

Having a proper maintenance routine for a Mac should be a given even if you do not play video games. Here are some of the key aspects to keep your MacBook in good shape:

• Enough drive storage: Make sure that there is enough storage left on the computer. If the drive does not have at least 10 percent of its total storage free, there will be issues with the overall performance.  To free up the disk space, transfer data to external HDDs and cloud services like Dropbox or iCloud. It would also help if you were to delete some apps and other junk files you no longer need.
• Cluttered desktop: If you are in the habit of keeping files on your desktop, change that and transfer app shortcuts and documents to another location. Each desktop shortcut consumes system resources and slows down the overall MacBook performance.
• Potential malware: Scan the MacBook’s disk with reliable antivirus to confirm that the system is malware-free. If a scan finds a potential threat, delete it from the computer right away.
• Dust inside: Overheating and loud fan noises point to too much dust inside the laptop. Clearing the filth regularly should help with the problem. Besides, you could also get a cooling pad and use it as an extra source of cool air.
• Background applications: Do not expect optimal Mac performance if there are too many redundant background apps. Check the Activity Monitor to determine which processes are consuming the most resources and eliminate the ones you do not really need.

Creating a Mac maintenance routine with the help of the tips above should be good enough to improve the MacBook’s speed and have a better gaming experience on your computer.