It’s simple in design philosophy and art style—albeit with an incredible and nearly limitless well of depth.  

It’s the top-selling game of all time, with over 300 million sales. An insane 140 million users are active monthly. 

Despite expanding to consoles and mobile devices, many Mac gamers have felt left behind.  

However, with Parallels Desktop Pro, you can experience the entire Minecraft game on Mac in all its glory.  

Here’s how you can make it happen and live through your first treacherous night.  

Recommended specs for playing Minecraft on a Mac 

Mac owners with Apple’s recent and hyper-powerful processors—M1, M2, and M3—will likely get seamless performance out of this Minecraft on their Mac.  

Other requirements include: 

Compatible Versions of Mac OS  

• macOS Sonoma 
• macOS Ventura 
• macOS Monterey 
• macOS Big Sur 
• macOS Catalina 
• macOS Mojave 

Processor Type 

• Apple M-series chips 
• Intel Core i5, Core i7, Core i9 or Xeon processor 

Recommended Memory Capacity 

• 16 GB of RAM or more 

Storage Space 

• 600 MB (for installing Parallels) 
• 16 GB (for Windows 11) 

Graphics Chips 

• Graphic processors M-series Macs 
• AMD Radeon Pro graphics cards 

Download Parallels Desktop Pro to play Minecraft on your Mac 

First, download Parallels Desktop for Mac. (There’s a free 14-day trial for uncertain gamers.)  

I recommend the Pro Edition for the best gaming performance.  

After providing your email, you’ll arrive at a download page. Click Download Parallels Desktop, then the link that was just sent to your address.  

1. Install Parallels Desktop on your Mac’s hard drive 

Double-click your newly downloaded .dmg executable. A pop-up window with the Parallels icon will appear. Double-click it or click Open if you’re first presented with a confirmation window.  

Click through the user agreement, and watch Parallels Desktop download and install itself. 

2. Download and install Windows 11 with Parallels Desktop 

While Parallels Desktop allows you to play PC games on your Mac, you still need Windows to do so. Thankfully, the installer makes it quick and painless. *  

Choose Windows 11 on the operating system selection screen. Parallels Desktop will automatically download and install the operating system.  

Once done, you’ll see a finder window containing a complete installation of Windows 11.  

3. Adjust virtual machine settings on Pro 

Access the Parallels Desktop Control Center and navigate to the “Hardware” section.   

If you are using Parallels Desktop Pro editions, you can adjust the virtual machine settings by allocating an adequate amount of RAM, CPU, and GPU resources to ensure an efficient gaming experience.  

You can accomplish this by enabling the Gaming Profile.   

When it is enabled, Parallels Desktop provides more RAM and CPU to Windows, enters full-screen view for greater immersion, and toggles the mouse mode for better compatibility with games.   

To enable the Gaming Profile:  

1. Shut down Windows via the Start menu and open its configuration.   

2. Click “Change” and select “Games only”.   

3. Now close the configuration menu and start Windows.  

4. Optimize Parallels Desktop for gaming    

By enabling “Optimize for games” in your virtual machine profile, you can further enhance your gaming experience and ensure smoother gameplay within the virtual machine.   

Note that if you’re using Parallels Desktop Standard Edition, you can choose from Productivity mode or “Games only” mode.   

With the Pro version of Parallels Desktop, you have more options.   

5. Sign up for a Microsoft account to play Minecraft on your Mac 

Minecraft, like other hugely popular live-service games—Valiant, Diablo 4, and Fortnite—requires a separate launcher. 

Visit Minecraft’s login page to begin signup. Unless you already have a Microsoft account, click Create Profile.  

Enter your location, email, and birthdate. Check your email for the confirmation code. 

You’ll now need a Gamertag. If you can’t think of one, choose one of the four automatically generated names. 

Click Let’s Go, and you’ll be logged in!  

6. Purchase Minecraft and download the launcher 

You can either purchase Minecraft through Minecraft’s official site or through Microsoft’s digital storefront. It costs $29.99 either way. 

Click Buy on the Microsoft store or Checkout on the official site. Complete the purchase and download Minecraft’s launcher. 

7. Decide — Minecraft Java or Minecraft Bedrock Edition? 

After your launcher pops up, you’ll be prompted to choose between installing Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition.  

Which one should you choose? 

The two versions have hundreds of differences, most of which are technical and relatively small. A few are worth considering before making your choice: 

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition 

• More streamlined 
• More user-friendly 

• Runs better on hardware 
• You can cross-play with users’ consoles, mobile, and computer gamers 

Minecraft Java Edition 

• Best for tinkerers and thrill seekers 
• Has an endless library of popular mods and servers 
• You can only play with others on computers 

While many hardcore Minecrafters stake their lives on one version’s superiority, you’ll have a great experience either way. 

8. Download your chosen version and begin your journey with Minecraft on your Mac 

Press play after downloading your chosen version.  

Next, choose between an offline solo journey or mixing it up on a multiplayer server.  

While multiplayer is worthwhile, its complexity can be overwhelming, especially if you’re learning the game’s rules.  

Pick offline unless you’re ready for the deep end. 

How to play your newly Mac-compatible Minecraft 

Minecraft is known most for its sense of freedom as a childhood Lego play session coming to life.  

Minecraft is not just a cute crafting game, though. At its core, Minecraft is a survival game. Like the Australian outback, there’s an endless array of creatures and environments out to kill you/rain on your parade. Survival becomes far easier.  

The penalty for death is pretty light. You’ll drop all your items on the ground, which you can pick up again after a respawn (So long as you do so within five minutes).  

Here’s how you tackle the game without getting bodychecked by things that go bump in the night.  

In Minecraft, you’ll have to fight (and build) to survive 

Light is a precious resource in Minecraft. A day passes in ten minutes, after which virtual mobs of nasty enemies will spawn around you. You’ll have to avoid, battle, or trap them to survive. 

On your first day, you should get the following done: 

1. Chop down trees for survival resources 

2. Create a crafting table with dismembered trees 

3. Make a pickaxe and scout for rocks 

4. Find a hillside for your first shelter 

5. Protect your shelter from monsters by crafting torches 

Let’s go through each of these in more detail.

1. Chop down trees for survival resources 

Find your nearest tree and begin assaulting it with your fists. Because your fists lack fury, it’ll take 15 strikes for one block.  

You’ll need at least ten for your first day, more if you plan to build your initial structure with wood. 

Pick the wood blocks off the ground and destroy leaf blocks for a chance to get apples (Every action consumes hunger, and you’ll die if you starve). 

2. Create a crafting table with dismembered trees 

Go into your crafting menu and place one log in the center of your 3×3 crafting grid.  

You’ll get four wooden planks, a resource you’ll need extensively, especially in the early game. Place four blocks in the lower left-hand corner of your crafting grid to create a crafting table.  

3. Make a pickaxe and scout for rocks 

With a crafting block, we can build tools we’ll need to extract resources. We’ll need a pickaxe to mine a few stones. 

Set the crafting table on the ground and right-click. Place two wooden planks in the grid’s center and one below. You’ll get four sticks. Get four more. 

We’re done crafting for now. Scout out your environment to find a rock outcropping or mountain. Take out your axe and pick off eight cobblestones (or blackstones).  

4. Find a hillside for your first official Minecraft shelter 

Finally, you’ll need a structure to keep you safe. Rather than building your own, it’s easiest to carve out a little space on the side of a hill or mountain.  

Once you find the right spot, dig into it. Carve out a hole at least two blocks tall, three blocks wide, and three blocks deep.  

5. Gain monster protection and craft a furnace, torches and a door 

Finishing your humble home means employing torches and a door to ward off monsters.  

Place your crafting table on the ground and use it to create a furnace. Fill every square with rock blocks except the center. Set your furnace on the ground next to your crafting table.  

Right-click the furnace and smelt one wood block. You’ll now have one charcoal block. Open the crafting table again, place charcoal in the center and a stick below it. Now you’ve created your first light source!  

Finally, craft a door. Arrange six wood planks on the leftmost two columns using the crafting block. Place your door and torches and breathe a sigh of relief. Now, you can wait for your second morning in peace.  

Once morning comes, you’re free to begin your journey in full. Find further guidance with Minecraft’s excellent tutorials (keep this crafting guide handy, too).  

There are thousands of ways to enjoy Minecraft on your Mac 

It’s hard to understate just how much one can do, or participate in, with Minecraft. Unlimited offline inventions and adventures, limitless ways to thrive and play alongside others; all rising in quantity day after day, as hundreds of millions shape a universe of hand-sculpted worlds. 

Go ahead, make Minecraft your own. Start your adventure with Parallels Desktop Pro! 

*Note that you’ll need to purchase a Windows license if you don’t already have one. 

The post How to play Minecraft on a Mac appeared first on Parallels Blog.

It’s little wonder that MacOS nearly tripled its desktop market share in the ten years between June 2013 and June 2023. 

However, this revolution came with a steep price for gamers.  

Where Windows had developed into a sprawling ecosystem of cutting-edge experiences — with Steam playing a pivotal role—Apple’s processor of choice made development costly.  

In turn, Mac releases became infrequent. 

All that began to change with Apple’s switch to Intel-produced processors, enabling a fresh generation of great — albeit infrequent — Mac ports.  

Apple then switched to more powerful, internally developed chips, which integrate well with ARM-based Windows 10 and 11. 

Because of the chips’ greater power—and newfound commonalities in architecture—today’s average MacBook is also a potential legit gaming laptop, with a little help from Parallels Desktop. 

Once you hook your Mac up with Parallels Desktop, a whole new world of gaming awaits you. Don’t let us stop you – sign up for a free trial of Parallels Desktop. 

Recommended specs for playing Steam games on a Mac  

Virtual machines require a lot of memory and processor power—which not all Macs have. As such, not all Apple systems are compatible. 

Mac owners with Apple’s recent and hyper-powerful processors—M1, M2, and M3—will get the best performance out of this version.  

Compatible Versions of the macOS  

• macOS Sonoma 14.0 or newer  
• macOS Ventura 13.2 or newer  

• macOS Monterey 12.6 or newer  
• macOS Big Sur 11.7 or newer 
• macOS Catalina 10.15.7 or newer 
• macOS Mojave 10.14.6 or newer 

Processor type 

• Apple M3, M3 Pro, & M3 Max 
• M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M2 Ultra 
• M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra chips 
• Intel Core i5, Core i7, Core i9 or Xeon processor 

Recommended memory capacity 

• 16 GB of RAM or more 

Storage space 

• 600 MB (for installing Parallels) 
• 16 GB (for Windows 11) 

Graphics chips 

• Graphic processors inside all M1, M2, and M3 (including Pro, Max, and Ultra chips) 
• AMD Radeon Pro graphics cards 

Are there Steam games that are already Mac-compatible? 

Yes. Plenty of Steam games are Mac-compatible—though the majority aren’t. 

Despite the Mac’s longstanding gaming drought, developers increasingly publish their games on macOS.  

Check Steam’s dedicated MacOS page to find out for yourself. Use a custom search to include only MacOS-compatible games. 

How to play Steam games on a Mac with Parallels Desktop 

Adding a new operating system sounds like it would take forever. While it once did—please believe me—installing Parallels Desktop is pretty painless.  

1. Download Parallels Desktop and play Steam games on a Mac 

First, grab a copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac (There’s a free 14-day trial for uncertain gamers). 

Once you fill in your email, you’ll arrive at a download page.  

Click the Download Parallels Desktop button, then the link will be sent to your email address. 

2. Install Parallels Desktop to play Steam games on a Mac 

Double-click your newly downloaded .dmg executable. A window with the Parallels Desktop icon will pop up.  

Double-click (or hit “Open” if you’re presented with a MacOS confirmation window). 

Next, click through the user agreement. You’ll be asked to share usage data with Parallels Desktop to improve the service.  

Click enable or disable, depending on your preference. 

After that, Parallels Desktop gets automatically downloaded and installed. 

3. Download and install Windows 11 to configure a Parallels Desktop VM for Windows-based Steam games 

Now that Parallels Desktop is in place, you’ll need to install our operating system: Windows 11.  

After selecting Windows, the installer will automatically download and initialize it.  

Once done, you’ll see a window containing the complete virtualized operating system.  

Now, you can control Windows from a window on your Mac. Mind-blowing, right? 

4. Download and install Steam on the Windows VM you created  

You’ll need the Steam client to load Steam games on your Mac. 

Visit Steam’s storefront and download a Windows-compatible version. 

Once completed, click the installer. Give it a moment to download and initialize Steam.  

After, create a Steam account if you don’t already have one.  

The wide world of PC gaming is now at your fingertips. 

5. Download Steam games on your Mac 

If you’re a Steam newbie, you’ll spot an avalanche of games set to an infinite scroll.  

It’s best to use the search bar to find the games you’re looking for — if only to avoid eyestrain. 

Once you find your game’s store page, click Add to Cart.  

Hit “Continue to Payment” and choose your payment method. Then complete checkout. Your game should begin downloading immediately.  

Once completed, click the Library tab on your Steam app and select your chosen game.  

Lastly, hit that big green button to play. 

Pat yourself on the back, friend. Your PC gaming career has begun. Clear your schedule; inform your friends, family, and job that they’re on the backburner now.  

Optimize your Mac’s performance for Steam games 

Tweaking game settings for better performance is a skill in and of itself.  

That said, there are a handful of simple methods for improving stability and frame rates.  

Monitor CPU usage and close unnecessary tasks 

Pay close attention to the computer chip icon on your Parallel’s top window tray. This icon indicates your current CPU capacity (if usage rises above 70 percent, the chip turns red).  

Clicking the icon lets you view the exact percentage and gives you access to the Task Manager. 

Click it to open a window that displays the processes currently taxing your CPU.  

Be sure to close out any processes or software that aren’t necessary for gaming.  

Free up your Mac’s disk space 

While hard drives don’t determine gaming performance, computers often slow down when they’re more than 90% full.  

If yours is overstuffed, delete a handful of unneeded programs or large files—or throw them on the cloud for later.  

Change the resolution on your Steam games 

Resolution plays a massive role in performance. The more pixels your processor processes, the more stress your hardware experiences.  

Because the built-in displays on many Macs are higher than full HD, your computer may be working harder for pixels you won’t see.  

Pause your game and open the display or graphics settings.  

Reducing it a few notches may provide the performance boost you need. 

Steam gaming on Mac FAQs 

Do I need to buy a new Windows 11 license to use with Parallels Desktop for Mac? 

It depends.  

You’ll have a month to use Windows 11 unrestricted. After that, you’ll have to deal with some inconvenient limitations.  

You’ll still be able to game after this point, but the disadvantages of not activating your Windows 11 include an omnipresent watermark in the bottom-left corner of your screen.  

Unless you can tolerate those limitations, you’ll need a license.  

Get one from Microsoft’s official page, or opt for more affordable licenses from third-party retailers. 

Does DirectX work with Parallels Desktop for Mac? 

Parallels Desktop currently supports DirectX graphics up to Version 11 and OpenGL up to version 4.1, which expands the possibilities for playing Steam games and other PC games on Mac. It does not currently support DirectX 12.  

What are some great Steam games I can play on my Mac with Parallels Desktop? 

PC gaming is an embarrassment of riches.  

Whether you’re looking for simpler grab-and-go indie titles or full-fledged open-world adventures`—and anything in between—you can find it on Steam. 

Are you looking for games PC natives are losing their minds over? Here are a few worth checking out: 

• En Garde!: Tight, acrobatic swashbuckling 
• Sifu: Seamless Kung-fu combat 
• Friends vs Friends: Cute card-based shooter 
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain: Surreal open world stealth action 
• Scorn: Stunning Lovecraftian simulation  
• Persona 5 Royal: Give hope to the masses (in impeccable style)  
• Have a blast with literally any Yakuza Game 
• Age of Empires
• Lethal Company

How do I find good Steam games to play on my Mac? 

Steam’s community reviews system is one of its best features.  

Using it, any Steam user who’s purchased a game can leave feedback.  

Steam qualifies each game with ratings that range from Overwhelmingly Positive to Overwhelmingly Negative, based on the proportion of positive to negative reviews.  

Each game gets two scores.  

All Reviews is the score averaged across every single user review.  

Recent Reviews pulls newly published reviews, effectively showing you the degree to which a game has either been improved through subsequent updates or underwent a change in public perception. 

The day you install Parallels Desktop is the first day of your Mac’s new (gaming) life 

While it’s not literally true that your fun with Steam PC games will never end, there are enough great games to last you for actual years.  

Again, you should tell your loved ones if you plan on dropping off the face of the earth, but they’ll understand when you tell them how you helped achieve nuclear disarmament in our lifetime.  

Let Parallels Desktop open a new world of gaming for you. Sign up for a free trial of Parallels Desktop.  

The post How to unlock your Mac’s Steam gaming potential appeared first on Parallels Blog.

This game combines the exhilaration of high-speed car action with the strategic depth of soccer, captivating players with its dynamic stadiums, intense matches, and uniquely engaging gameplay. It’s soccer with cars!  

Imagine rocket-propelled vehicles battling fiercely mid-air, taking shots on goal while pulling off awe-inspiring saves. Players drive full throttle into vehicular mayhem while keeping their eyes on the prize — scoring those epic aerial goals. 

Rocket League has mass appeal with its vibrant community and competitive scene featuring regular themed seasons full of new tricks and challenges. But Mac users have found that Windows, ever the vigilant goalkeeper, consistently blocks their Rocket League experience. 

Armed with the right tools, you can now get past defenses and play Rocket League on your Mac 

Leverage the power of Parallels Desktop to bridge the gap between Mac hardware and the high-speed world of Rocket League. 

Ready to plunge into the action-packed world of Rocket League? Let Parallels Desktop Pro’s built-in gaming features pave your path to victory. 

How to play Rocket League on a Mac 

It’s time to hit the Rocket League arena. Here’s how to get started scoring goals and dominating your opponents in Rocket League on your Mac with Parallels Desktop: 

1. Install Parallels Desktop

If you don’t already have it, download and install the latest version of Parallels Desktop. The Pro or Business edition is recommended for the best gaming performance.  

2. Create a Windows 11 Virtual Machine

Open Parallels Desktop and set up the Windows 11* virtual machine using prompts on the screen. 

3. Adjust virtual machine settings on Pro or Business Edition

Access the Parallels Desktop Control Center and navigate to the “Hardware” section.  

If you are using Parallels Desktop Professional or Business editions, you can adjust the virtual machine settings by allocating an adequate amount of RAM, CPU, and GPU resources to ensure a seamless gaming experience. 

You can accomplish this by enabling the Gaming Profile.  

When the Gaming Profile is enabled, Parallels Desktop provides more RAM and CPU to Windows, enters full-screen view for greater immersion, and toggles the mouse mode for better compatibility with games.  

To enable the Gaming Profile: 

1. Shut down Windows via the Start menu and open its configuration.  

2. Click “Change” and select “Games only”.  

*Note that you’ll need to purchase a Windows license if you don’t already have one. 

Can I play Rocket League on Mac? 

Even though the macOS version of Rocket League is no longer updated or supported by maker Psyonix, there’s no need to feel left out. With virtualization software like Parallels Desktop, you can still get in on all the action without sacrificing the latest features of the game.  

First, make sure your Mac has what it takes to run the game. If your machine meets the minimum requirements, then buckle up and prepare for some high-speed fun: 

Can you play Rocket League on any computer? 

Any computer that meets the minimum requirements can be transformed into a high-powered arena for Rocket League game play. 

This video guide comprehensively explains the steps required to configure your virtual machine and boost its performance, allowing you to play Rocket League as though it were tailor-made for your Mac. 

Is Rocket League free to play? 

In 2020, Rocket League made the switch to a free-to-play model. This means you can download and play the game without any initial purchase. 

You can still splurge on in-game goods such as cosmetic items or the coveted Rocket Pass. The paid Rocket Pass unlocks access to weekly challenges with rewards that allow you to personalize your car and make it your style. 

How difficult is Rocket League? 

Rocket League’s difficulty level isn’t static. You can play it casually with friends or go all in and compete in challenging tournaments. Really skilled Rocket League players can even go pro!  

It all depends on your approach and play style — and the time you want to dedicate to playing Rocket League.  

In more intense Rocket League sessions, you’ll find that you need more than just fast reflexes. Tactical teamwork, strategic planning, and making aerial moves will make you a competitive player. 

What other games can I play on my Mac with Parallels Desktop? 

You can play many PC games on your Mac using Parallels Desktop to create a Windows virtual machine. Assassin’s Creed, Age of Empires, Lethal Company, and so many more will run on your Mac, thanks to the power of Parallels Desktop. 

Playing Rocket League on Mac 

With the help of Parallels Desktop, you have a clear shot to play Rocket League — with no goalkeeper in sight. 

Embrace the thrill of competition, take charge of the arena, and experience the rush of high-speed car-soccer matches all from your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. No matter how you play, Parallels Desktop plus Rocket League offers an exhilarating gaming experience.  

Ready to launch your car in the air and carve your name into the Rocket League Hall of Fame? 

Begin the pursuit of glory and let Parallels Desktop serve as your bridge to the high-powered Rocket League Universe.  

The post Dominate the Rocket League Arena on Your Mac appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Earlier versions of Parallels Desktop could connect to a game controller, but the process could be a bit tricky. When developing Parallels Desktop 18, the Parallels product team worked closely with Apple to make considerable enhancements in this area. 

The result? A smooth, simple process: Just connect the game controller to your Mac computer when running Windows in Parallels Desktop and it will automatically connect. 

See for yourself how easy it is: 

Don’t have Parallels Desktop 18 yet? Download a free trial today! 

NOTE: This blog post is a part of a series on new and improved features in Parallels Desktop 18. Stay tuned for more! 

The post Improved Connectivity for Game Controllers in Parallels Desktop 18 appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Fear is the mind killer.  

I have been anxiously awaiting the game Dune: Spice Wars since it was announced late last year. Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy (RTS) game set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune. 

An “early access” version of the game became available on Steam in late April 2022, and I purchased it on the first day. There is no Mac version, so I am playing this game in Windows 11 in Parallels Desktop 17 on my Intel-based iMac. Figure 1 shows the details of my iMac and the Windows 11 configuration. 

The bottom line is that the game plays very well on the Mac in Parallels Desktop. I have compared the speed and responsiveness on my iMac with the fan videos that have been posted on YouTube and elsewhere, and I think the game plays the same on my iMac as on a Windows PC. You can judge for yourself in Video 1. (While I have trimmed this video for duration, I have not sped up the video – you are seeing the speed and responsiveness on the Mac.) 

If you are a fan of Dune or of RTS games, let us know in the Forums what your experience is in Parallels Desktop. 

The post Playing “Dune: Spice Wars” on a Mac in Parallels Desktop appeared first on Parallels Blog.

A Guide for playing Windows games on a Mac 

I’ve been playing computer games since I was six years old. My cousin had an all-new NES console, and we, like millions of other kids, were so obsessed with it (Battletoads tune playing in the head).  

Ever since, I have played video games, mainly PC, and don’t miss any new trending or noteworthy Steam releases. So even though I am a Parallels® employee, I am also a gamer and want to share my gaming experience on a Mac. Well, not just “a” Mac, but on “the” Mac – the MacBook Air with Apple’s remarkable M1 chip (2020).  

This chip… it’s really something. It’s been a year now since Apple released these computers, and there are hundreds of glowing articles and reviews about it, so I won’t comment on this. I just hope that you already have this machine if you’re reading my post (or maybe planning to grab one). If not, there are many YouTube reviews to catch up on (*grin*). I’m not even talking about this-year’s MacBook Pro upgrade. 

So, the question is: can I play an average PC game, or even a AAA title of the time, on MacBook Air, with 8 GB of RAM, in Windows 11 powered by Parallels? 

And the answer is: YES, just go for it! I don’t promise that the game you want to play will work flawlessly, but it’s worth giving it a try! Claim a free 14-day trial of Parallels Desktop 17 and just give it a go.  

Before you try 

Before we move on, I must confess that things aren’t always perfect—yet. Please note the following facts: 

1. Many games will be more playable if your Mac has 16 GB or more RAM rather than 8 GB. 

2. Some games won’t launch due to various reasons: incompatibility with Windows on ARM, missing DirectX 12 support, etc. 

3. Games that use anti-cheat software most likely won’t work. 

However… 

4. There is a nice wiki site called applegamingwiki.com that shares a list of Windows games that work well in Parallels Desktop. It’s worth checking out! 

5. All in all, you’ll never know until you try. Right? 

So, what games work well? Many! From classic early 2000s PC games to 2021 releases—there are so many games to play. I will be talking specifically about games you can play only in Windows OS, but with Parallels Desktop and Apple’s crazy-fast M1 chip, Windows games on a Mac get a significant upgrade. 

Get on board 

Interested? Cool! I promise the whole process won’t take much effort.  

1. First, download and install Parallels Desktop for Mac. This link will always download the latest version. 

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Windows. It’s easy. 

3. If you’re new to Parallels, sign up and enjoy the full-featured 14-day trial. 

4. Once in Windows, download Steam or any other game launcher that you need to install your games. If you’re new to PC gaming, Steam is the best. 

5. Now, let’s tune Windows for gaming. 

Tune the system for gaming in two clicks 

Parallels Desktop is so easy to use, but it houses dozens of optional cool features under the hood. One of them is the Gaming profile. When this profile is enabled, Parallels Desktop provides more RAM and CPU power to Windows, enters full-screen view for better immersion, and toggles the mouse mode for better compatibility with games. 

To enable the Gaming profile: 

1. Shut down Windows via the Start menu and open its configuration. 

2. Click “Change…” and select “Games only”. 

3. Now close the configuration menu and start Windows. 

Tune in-game settings 

There are two main graphic settings that you should check if performance is not acceptable:  

1. Resolution: Many games will launch at the maximum resolution, which requires greater resources. Try lowering the resolution to Full HD (1920*1200) and check how the game runs. 

2. Texture quality: If you suffer from heavy stuttering, lowering texture quality should help.  

3. You can also try to tweak other quality and effects settings. I know, it’s not fun, but this is PC gaming (*grin*). 

Pro tips 

Treat Parallels Desktop as your virtual PC tower on the Mac, so if you are familiar with RAM banks and thermal paste, I have some more insights to share.  

1. By default, Parallels Desktop takes around 30% of Mac RAM for Windows. In the gaming profile that’s half of Mac resources. 

2. In any configuration, Windows will always take up to half of its RAM for graphics. So, if your game needs 3GBs of graphics memory, you must have 6GBs of RAM assigned to Windows. 

3. If you have 8GB of RAM total on your Mac, you can assign 6GB to Windows and give it a try. Just remember to quit most Mac apps (Safari in the first place) to free RAM for Windows and macOS to sustain the system. 

4. To increase RAM, shut down Windows > open its Configuration > Hardware > CPU & Memory. 

5. You can also assign 6 CPU cores to Windows and give it a try. 

Some of my favorite Windows games 

I love both well-known classic Windows games, as well as many fascinating indie projects. I want to share some of my favorite titles that I really enjoy playing in Parallels Desktop on my Mac. 

Fallout New Vegas (2010) 

This is the best roleplaying Fallout chapter for me, and it still looks quite nice and is interesting to play. 

Journey (2020) 

This game is unique in every aspect—it’s a beautiful adventure that finally made it to PC. It used to be a PlayStation-exclusive game since its original release in 2012.

Twelve Minutes (2021) 

For me, this is one of the most exciting games released this year. It delves into the time loop concept quite nicely, and features James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe. 

Last Stop (2021) 

This exciting indie project is an interactive drama set up in London, featuring some supernatural elements with a pretty enjoyable story. 

Mirror’s Edge (2008) 

It was so unexpected to get this game from DICE (Swedish creators of Battlefield) back in 2008. It was truly something new, a first-person parkour game that defined the genre.  

The Final Station (2016) 

Could a small-budget side-scrolling postapocalyptic survival pixel-art game be something interesting? Oh, yes, this is it! 

The Disney Afternoon Collection (2017) 

Back to the basics, all of the best 8-bit NES games with Disney characters: Darkwind Duck, Chip ‘n Dale, TaleSpin, DuckTales—it’s all back here on your PC! I mean, your Mac! Perfect nostalgic moment to share during the holidays. 

To wrap up 

There are so many more games I would love to list (Half-Life must be there, I know), but I feel like I have taken too much of your time already. If you like my post, leave a comment—a game you’d like to play or an experience you’d like to share! Thank you for reading and stay safe. 

The post Playing Windows Games on a MacBook with Apple M1 Chip Using Parallels Desktop appeared first on Parallels Blog.

This probably explains my interest in the game “while True: learn(),” since that is a game in which you program visually. (Figure 2) Once I saw it, I had to have that game, which is available from Steam and the Epic Game Store for both Windows and Mac, and from the Apple App Store for both Mac and iOS. 

Video 1 shows the use of the Windows version of this game on a Mac in Parallels® Desktop. This short video does not do justice to the full depth of this game or convey how much it can teach the user about machine learning. 

Many Windows games can be used on the Mac with Parallels Desktop. Download the free, full-featured trial of Parallels Desktop and see for yourself. Let us know about your experience on Facebook or Twitter.

The post Programming Can Be a Game appeared first on Parallels Blog.

As I have detailed in a previous post, many newly released games don’t work well in Parallels® Desktop. (There are several reasons for this that are all explained in that earlier post.) So, it is a real treat when a new game works well in Parallels Desktop out of the gate. Humankind is just such a treat. 

Humankind, released on August 17, 2021, is a turn-based, 4X strategy game in the same general category as the Civilization series. (“4X” is an abbreviation for “Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate”, a sub-genre of strategy games.) In Humankind you develop a civilization from the Neolithic Era to modern times. (Figure 1) 

Humankind has both Windows and Mac versions. Normally, when a game has a Mac version, I don’t bother testing it in Parallels Desktop. However, the Mac version of Humankind has two caveats: 

1. The product is not compatible with macOS 10.15 Catalina or above. 

2. M1 chips are not supported. 

While I have an Intel Mac, all of the Mac computers I have run either macOS Big Sur or macOS Monterey, so for this reason I decided to test the Windows version of Humankind in Windows 11 in Parallels Desktop. 

As you can see in Video 1, Humankind runs great in Windows 11 on my Intel iMac using Parallels Desktop 17.1.1. (While I have no video for this, I also tested Humankind on my M1 MacBook Pro, and it also worked great there.) Artwork in the video title screen credit: Pooterman and used with permission of the artist. 

I am looking forward to developing an Athens-like, science-based civilization in Humankind on my iMac in the coming months. Please tell us in Parallels Forums about the games you play in Parallels Desktop, and also the ones you want to play in future releases of Parallels Desktop.

The post Playing the game ‘Humankind’ on a Mac with Parallels Desktop appeared first on Parallels Blog.

The answer is “Probably not…”, but sometimes the answer is “Yes!” 

I am frequently asked “will this new game that was released last week run on my Mac using Parallels Desktop?” My standard answer is “Probably not.” Then I go on to explain that games usually stress the hardware of your computer. This new game likely won’t run on a Windows PC purchased last year. While I would be thrilled to say that Parallels® Desktop can magically transform a four-year-old MacBook Air into a high-end PC gaming rig with a $3,000 liquid-cooled graphics card, that is never going to happen. 

But sometimes I am wrong. 

Sometimes a new game runs well on the Mac in Parallels Desktop. Overwatch runs well, and so does Age of Empires II Definitive Edition and Age of Empires III Definitive Edition. A newly free game that was placed on the Epic Game Store in November 2021, Aven Colony, also runs great. So, I will show you Aven Colony in this blog post. 

Aven Colony is a city-building game like the famous SimCity, but instead of being on Earth, Aven Colony is based on an alien planet light-years away from Earth (Figure 1).

There is an excellent tutorial that teaches the game’s controls, and there are both scenarios and freestyle experiences in the game. Video 1 shows parts of this tutorial and some game play, running in Windows 11 with Parallels Desktop 17 on my home iMac. (While this video has been edited for length, I have deliberately not sped the video up. You are seeing the actual game speed and animations in the video.)  

As you can see in the video, the graphics are gorgeous, and the animations are buttery-smooth (artwork in the video title screen credit: Pooterman and used with permission of the artist). 

I am looking forward to lots of fun game play in Aven Colony on my iMac in the coming months. In the Parallels Forums, please tell us about the games you play in Parallels Desktop, and also the ones you want to play in future releases of Parallels Desktop. 

The post “Will this new game run on my Mac using Parallels Desktop?” appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Age of Empires, Overwatch and many other games play well. 

On an M1 Mac, operating systems in Parallels® Desktop virtual machines must be ARM-based operating systems, and this has led to many misconceptions. I have seen people make the following statements: 

“Only ARM apps can run in an ARM operating system.” 

“Some Microsoft apps may run in an ARM OS, but no others will.” 

Both these statements are false. 

Even more false statements abound about Windows games. So, in this blog post I will set the record straight about games, and I will show you several Windows games running on an M1 MacBook Pro in a Windows 11 VM in Parallels Desktop 17. 

I won’t keep you waiting any longer: this short video shows four different Windows games running on an M1 Mac. 

I purposely made sure you could see the Mac desktop in the video, and included the launch of Parallels Desktop 17, the launch of Windows 11, and the launch of each game to emphasize the environment in which each game was running. To keep the video short, I only included enough game play so that you could see that the game was working fine. (Full disclosure: I also only included a small amount of game play so that you couldn’t see my poor game skills in some of the games!) 

Here are all the configuration details of the setup I used to make this video: 

Mac
Parallels Desktop
VM operating system
Game versions	Age of Empires II Definitive Edition,  version: 101.101.51737.0 7126076  Overwatch version: 1.63.0.0.85660  Kingdom Run Frontiers version: kr2-desktop-5.4.07  Ori and the Blind Forest Definitive Edition version: 5.3.29582331

Here are some of the questions you might be asking: 

Do all games run in a Windows 11 VM? No, for many of the same reasons that all games don’t run on the Windows PC you bought last year: 

• Some games require a specific video card. 
• Some games require high-end features in a video card. 
• Some games require specific Windows libraries that may not be in your system. 
• Some games require more memory than you have in your system. 

Will the game I want to play run in a Parallels Desktop VM? Unfortunately, there is no easy way to predict this with complete accuracy, but here is a loose guide you can follow: 

Does the game require DirectX 12? If so, then the game probably won’t run in a VM. 

Does the game require one of a few specific video cards? If so, then the game probably won’t run in a VM. 

Was the game released in the last few months? If so, the game may not run in a VM nor on the Windows PC you bought last year. 

Otherwise, it is likely that the game will run in a VM.  

Can I get a refund if the game I want to play doesn’t run or doesn’t play well in Parallels Desktop? Even better than a refund, you can test the game without any payment to either Parallels or Microsoft. There is a 14-day free, full-featured trial of Parallels Desktop 17. If you are using an M1 Mac, no payment is required to use the Insider Preview of Windows 10 on ARM or Windows 11 on ARM during this 14-day trial. (If you are using an Intel Mac, you already know that at first launch Parallels Desktop will offer to download Windows 10 for you.) If the game you want runs and plays well, then you can purchase both Parallels Desktop and Windows. 

I hope this sets the record straight about playing Windows games on an M1 Mac in Parallels Desktop. Please let us know in the Forums about your game play experience in Parallels Desktop – whether it is positive or negative, and on either an Intel Mac or an M1 Mac. 

The post Yes, you can play Windows games on an M1 Mac using Parallels Desktop appeared first on Parallels Blog.