CrossOver 25 Released – Major Improvements for Mac Gaming

Core Technology Improvements in CrossOver 25

The biggest highlight of CrossOver 25 is the integration of Wine 10.0, which includes over 5,000 improvements across various applications. Here are the key updates:

• Wine 10.0 integration, offering massive compatibility improvements.
• Updated to Wine Mono 9.4.0, ensuring better .NET framework support.
• vkd3d 1.14 upgrade, improving Direct3D 12 performance.

These improvements enhance stability, performance, and compatibility across a wide range of Windows applications and games.

Mac-Specific Improvements in CrossOver 25

For Mac users, CrossOver 25 introduces major compatibility enhancements, making Windows gaming on macOS more seamless.

1. Improved Metal Support with DXMT and D3DMetal 2.1

• DXMT (DirectX Metal Translation) is a new Metal-based D3D11 implementation, improving performance on Apple Silicon Macs.
• D3DMetal 2.1 update enables compatibility for many games on M1, M2, and M3 Macs, including:
  • Street Fighter 6
  • Need for Speed Heat
  • Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
  • Teardown
  • Age of Wonders 4
  • Dragon’s Dogma 2
  • The Last of Us Part 1

2. Support for More Popular Windows Games

• Red Dead Redemption 2 is now fully supported, marking a significant milestone for Mac gaming.
• Compatibility fixes for Tekken 8, Age of Mythology: Retold, Path of Exile 2, Elite Dangerous, Monster Hunter Rise, Hero’s Land, Manor Lords, Fallout 76, and Far Cry 6.

3. GOG Galaxy & Epic Games Store Now Supported

For the first time, CrossOver 25 introduces native support for GOG Galaxy and Epic Games Store, allowing users to easily access and manage their game libraries on macOS.

4. Automatic Game-Specific Settings

CrossOver 25 introduces a new database that automatically enables the best settings for each game. This eliminates the need for manual tweaks, making installation and optimization much easier for gamers.

5. MoltenVK 1.2.10 Update

This update ensures better Vulkan support on macOS, improving performance for games that rely on DirectX-to-Vulkan translation.

Why CrossOver 25 Is a Game-Changer for Mac Gaming

With these updates, CrossOver 25 continues to push the boundaries of Windows gaming on macOS. The addition of DXMT, expanded D3DMetal support, and better compatibility for AAA games make it a must-have for gamers who want to play Windows titles on Mac without dual-booting.

How to Play Windows Games on Mac with CrossOver 25?

One of the biggest challenges for Mac users is running Windows-exclusive games without needing a dedicated Windows PC. With the release of CrossOver 25, playing Windows games on macOS has become easier and more efficient.

So, how to play Windows games on Mac? The best solution is using CrossOver 25, which translates Windows API calls to macOS without requiring a full Windows installation. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Windows Games on Mac with CrossOver 25

1. Download & Install CrossOver 25

   • Visit the official CrossOver website and download the latest version.
   • Install CrossOver 25 on your Mac.

2. Set Up the Windows Game

   • Open CrossOver and use the new automatic game database feature to configure settings.
   • Install your game via Steam, Epic Games Store, or GOG Galaxy (now supported in CrossOver 25).

3. Enable DXMT & D3DMetal 2.1 for Enhanced Performance

   • These features allow better DirectX performance on Apple Silicon Macs, supporting games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Street Fighter 6, and Nioh 2.

4. Start Playing Windows Games on Mac

   • Once installed, launch the game and enjoy Windows-level performance on macOS.

With CrossOver 25, Mac users can now play Windows games on Mac without the need for Boot Camp or complex virtual machines.