Cyberpunk 2077 comes to Apple Silicon next year with path tracing and frame generation

In short: Apple Silicon processors can run demanding AAA video games like Resident Evil, Murderer’s Creed, and Baldur’s Gate 3 at excessive body charges, however Cyberpunk 2077 is on one other degree. The bleeding-edge RPG will doubtless put Macs to the final word check because it brings new applied sciences to Apple’s platform.

CD Projekt Pink and Apple have confirmed plans to launch Cyberpunk 2077 and its growth, Phantom Liberty, on Apple Silicon Macs early subsequent 12 months. Whereas a precise launch date remains to be forthcoming, the sport can be obtainable on the Mac App Retailer, Steam, GOG, and the Epic Video games Retailer.

It stays unclear whether or not customers who already personal the sport on any of these platforms will mechanically obtain entry to the Mac port. Provided that CDPR particularly talked about the Final Version bundle, it’s doable that the Mac model can be free for present Phantom Liberty homeowners.

The primary-person RPG, which launched to harsh criticism in late 2020 however redeemed itself with vital patches over the next three years, can be an fascinating check of Apple Silicon’s gaming capabilities. Though some high-end video games run easily on current Mac techniques, none make the most of the demanding ray tracing know-how that Cyberpunk 2077 is legendary for.

For example, the Mac launch of Resident Evil Village disabled the ray tracing options obtainable within the PC and console variations. Against this, Apple and CDPR have confirmed that the macOS launch of Cyberpunk will embrace path tracing – a extra superior type of ray tracing that, when utilized in 4K, challenges even essentially the most highly effective devoted graphics playing cards.

In a current overview of ray tracing implementations throughout 36 video games, we cited CDPR’s RPG as one among a handful of titles the place the know-how considerably enhances visible high quality.

Additionally learn: Path Tracing vs. Ray Tracing, Explained

Apple’s processors are anticipated to rely closely on MetalFX to run the sport. MetalFX upscaling has beforehand proven efficiency and picture high quality outcomes akin to Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR, however Cyberpunk 2077 is the primary title confirmed to combine body technology into Apple’s toolchain.

The sport’s announcement coincides with the reveal of an upgraded iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro, that includes the M4, M4 Professional, and M4 Max processors.

Apple can also be anticipated to launch M4-powered variations of the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Professional subsequent 12 months. The Mac Professional could even characteristic an as-yet-unannounced M4 Extremely processor, which may additional improve efficiency for duties like path tracing.

A grid of upcoming Apple Silicon titles, proven in the course of the M4 MacBook Professional unveiling presentation, means that extra high-end video games are anticipated to come back to the Mac subsequent 12 months.

The presentation included a short clip from the upcoming Murderer’s Creed Shadows, which can additionally make the most of ray tracing on M-series chips. Different titles within the lineup embrace RoboCop: Rogue Metropolis, Management (one other recreation recognized for its RT results), Lifeless Island 2, Resident Evil 2, and The place Winds Meet.