Apple announces macOS Sonoma game mode: what is it?

Throughout the Mac‘s history, video games have always had a presence, and game publishers have consistently taken the platform into consideration, offering exciting releases. This is particularly true for American studios such as Blizzard and LucasArts, who made their latest hits available for Mac users, especially during the 90s and early 2000s when professional users were prevalent.

Traditionally, the Mac’s primary focus has been on the work environment, catering to tasks such as audiovisual editing, journalism, and marketing content creation. Gaming was not at the forefront of people’s minds. Furthermore, the transition to Apple Silicon processors in recent years posed some compatibility challenges, resulting in the loss of support for many games designed for the older Intel SoCs. As a result, the availability of gaming options, even through the Apple Arcade catalog, was limited.

game mode mac

Game Mode Arrives in Sonoma

During yesterday’s Apple event, the company unveiled its latest operating system for Mac, which included a thrilling announcement that caught the attention of gamers. Hideo Kojima himself took the stage to reveal that the highly anticipated Death Stranding Director’s Cut will be coming to Apple computers. This game mode goes beyond a simple hub for storing titles and offers specific functions designed to enhance the gaming experience.

Mac game mode.

So, what does macOS Sonoma do when it detects that we want to launch a video game installed on our Mac? Essentially, it prioritizes the game to minimize interference from other active programs or services. While this concept is not entirely new, with Microsoft exploring similar ideas for Windows Vista, the execution never quite lived up to expectations.

On paper, the game mode in macOS Sonoma sounds perfect, as it will prioritize gaming processes, utilizing both the CPU and GPU to deliver improved graphics performance, smoother gameplay, and significantly higher frame rates.

More advantages of the game mode

In addition to harnessing the full power of your CPU and GPU, macOS Sonoma’s game mode offers several additional features to enhance your gaming experience. One notable improvement is the reduction of response lag between your computer and AirPods, allowing you to listen in real-time to all the audio from your game. This may seem like a minor detail, but Apple has addressed the inherent delay in Bluetooth connections to ensure a more seamless experience.

Furthermore, the game mode now includes a crucial feature: the ability to pair a controller that complements your desired gaming experience. macOS Sonoma has added compatibility with the official PlayStation 5 controller, known as the DualSense (a capability that was already available on PC). This integration adds an extra layer of convenience and enjoyment to your gaming sessions.