When most people think of 'gaming computers,' they're probably thinking of. They offer a huge variety of devices with better equipped software and hardware for a cheaper price, and there are more available games than there are for OS X-based systems. But that's not to say that you have to replace your Mac with a Windows computer in order to improve your gaming experience. In this guide, I'll be going through several tips you can use to optimize your Mac to have the best gaming experience possible without switching to the dark side. #1: Check Your Mac's Existing Settings Before you install a game, make sure you're well acquainted with the various aspects of your Mac, including the OS, processor, memory, available hard drive space, and graphics card. On OS X, you can view all of these by clicking on the Apple icon in the menu bar and going to 'About This Mac.' While minimum requirements are okay to have, I suggest that you push for recommended requirements, even if that means updating your OS or deleting files from your hard drive to clear space.
#2: Make Sure Your Hard Drive Has Enough Free Space As a, you should never let your your startup disk drop below 15% available storage. Once below that threshold, your computer begins to slow down because background processes and apps that need available storage don't have that available, so they cannot work at an optimal level. This is a no-no if you want a game to run flawlessly. As you can see below, my MacBook Pro only has 3.63 GB of available storage, which amounts roughly to 3% of free storage (yikes). In order to prevent issues, I should have around 18GB (15%) of memory available.
Clear up space by getting rid of rarely used applications, duplicate files, and everything in your trash. If you're having trouble finding what to get rid of, download something like Dr. Cleaner or, which help you automatically find files that you can safely delete from your Mac. Don't Miss: Using, I was able to find almost 38 GB of files that I could quickly get rid of, mostly made up of old GoPro videos I forgot I had saved. Deleting all these files put me at 41 GB, or 34%, of available disk space. If there's still not enough room on your hard drive, check out our guide on, which will show you how to not only get rid of an app, but all the files associated with it as well. #3: Close All Open & Menu Bar Apps Heavier apps such as web browsers (looking at you Chrome) and movie editors use up a ton of system resources, leaving less available memory for other tasks.
All of this affects system performance, so before you start playing games, make sure to quit from resource-heavy apps in your dock. #5: Disable Dashboard or Notification Center (Wait) Two native OS X features that I never use are Dashboard and Notification Center.
The problem with that is that they take up processing power and RAM that could otherwise be used towards gaming. Luckily you can disable both of them using Terminal. Notification Center To disable Notification Center, open Terminal and enter the following two commands from Pastebin, one by one, in this order:. You will no longer receive alerts, banners, and notifications for any apps in your Notification Center. To get Notification Center back on your Mac, open Terminal and enter the following command from Pastebin.
I took some time away from the game, and I'm now planning on playing it again. I'm using a MacBook Pro, which runs OS X 10.8.5. Mac users interested in Vlc for mac 10.5.8 generally download: VLC media player 3.0 Free VLC media player is one of the most popular video players on the market.
Then go to /System/Library/CoreServices/ and double-click on Notification Center to launch it. Dashboard Similarly, you can disable Dashboard through Terminal by using the following command on Pastebin.
Your dock will disappear for a bit and Dashboard will be gone. You can bring Dashboard back with the following command on Pastebin. #6: Make Sure All of Your Software Is Up to Date Updates to your software include both bug fixes and new features that affect the way your computer runs, including the games that you play on it. On OS X, check for updates by clicking on the Apple icon in the menu bar, then 'About This Mac.' Click on 'Software Update.' And the Mac App Store will open, where you can update all of your computer's software, including your operating system (I'm using Yosemite, but could ).
You can also change the quality of certain graphics, which can range anywhere from low to high. Mess around with these to see which affect gameplay the most. #8: Try Both Windowed & Full Screen Mode When Playing Believe or not, playing in different view modes can affect gameplay. I tested out a few games from Steam, in both windowed (seen below) and full screen modes, getting mixed results in how well the game played.
![Games For Mac 10.8.5 Games For Mac 10.8.5](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125432629/868453144.jpg)
Some games slowed down a bit when the window was too small, but others also slowed down when I went into full screen mode. Try out all the options possible to see which works best for you.
Custom Search Dirt Rally 1.1.3 Experience all the thrill of racing on the edge in DiRT Rally, the most authentic rally game ever engineered. DiRT, the champion rally series from racing studio Codemasters, comes to Mac with the ultimate in high-risk high-reward gameplay.
Strap yourself in and hurtle down the most dangerous tracks in the world, from the drenched pine forests of Wales to the crumbling hillsides of Greece. Push your nerve, your ability and your car to the extremes of control in Rally, Rallycross and Hillclimb races, and win championships to score cash for even more powerful rides.
It will take all your focus and finesse to succeed in this spectacular world of off-road motor racing. License: Buy, $32 to $60. Developer/Publisher: Codemasters/Feral Interactive.
Modification Date: December 18, 2017. Requirements: macOS 10.13 or higher File Size: 26 GB - Feral File Size: 44.84 GB - App Store File Size: 44.84 GB - Steam F1 2016 1.0.1 F1 2016 is the official video game of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championshiop and includes the most immersive, in-depth career mode ever featured in the franchise. F1 2016 is a massive step forward for the franchise and takes gamers deeper into the world’s most glamorous, exciting and prestigious motorsport, both on and off the track. An all-new career mode sits at the heart of the game, allowing players to create their own legend over a lifetime in the sport that can span up to a massive ten seasons. License: Buy, $45 to 60.
Developer/Publisher: Codemasters/Feral Interactive. Modification Date: May 12, 2017. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.12.4 or higher File Size: 30.00 GB - Feral File Size: 26.43 GB - App Store File Size: 26.43 GB - Steam F1 2017 1.0.5 F1 2017 grants unprecedented access to not only the on-track excitement of F1, but also the off-track dealings and vehicle development that goes along with it. The ten-year Career Mode includes practice programmes to help hone your skills, an expansive Research and Development tree to provide greater control over the development of your car, and the ability to manage engines and gearboxes over the course of the season.
Along with stunning locations and compelling characters to interact with, these features combine to provide the most complete and thrilling F1 experience ever to come to macOS. License: Buy, $60 to 69. Developer/Publisher: Codemasters/Feral Interactive. Modification Date: December 14, 2017. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.12.5 or higher File Size: 36 GB - Feral File Size: 30 GB - App Store File Size: 30 GB - Steam Football Manager 2018 18.3.3 Football Manager 2018 is the latest release in the best-selling, smash-hit series.
Putting you in the hot seat of any soccer club in more than 50 countries across the world, Football Manager 2018 is the closest thing to doing the job for real. License: Demo, $50. Developer/Publisher: Sports Interactive/SEGA. Modification Date: March 20, 2018.
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.8.5 or higher - Steam - Demo or Buy File Size: 1.1 GB Franchise Hockey Manager 4.7.86 Franchise Hockey Manager 4 is the deepest, most authentic hockey strategy gaming experience you can find. The game is the only PC/Mac game officially licensed by the NHL®, allowing you to take the reins of your favorite franchise to capture the Stanley Cup®. Choose one of 24 leagues around the globe and select a team to guide to glory - or create your own hockey universe, or choose a historical NHL® start date as far back as 1917. Sign free agents, trade players, draft the next crop of superstars, and much more!. License: Demo, $40.
Developer/Publisher: Out of the Park Developments. Modification Date: April 5, 2018. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.8 or higher File Size: 260.9 MB - Demo File Size: 264 MB - App Store File Size: 264 MB - Steam GL Golf 2.560 GL Golf is a 3D sports game for the casual gamer. With a realistic physics system and great simple graphics, you and up to four players can golf all 720 holes for countless hours. Everything in a real game of golf is included, such as water hazards, sand traps, trees, bushes, wind, four seasons, different time of days to play, and a driving range. Other great features include both an internet and individual high score list, game saving, great music.
License: Buy, $15. Developer/Publisher: Nuclear Nova Software. Modification Date: January 8, 2018. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.9 or higher File Size: 73.5 MB File Size: 62.7 MB KTA Tennis 1.21 KTA Tennis is a fast action tennis game for Mac OS X, Windows, and Mac OS 7 - 9. Inspired by Nintendo's original Game Boy and Super NES tennis games, KTA Tennis aims to strike some fun into your computer. License: Shareware, $18. Developer/Publisher: KB Productions.
Modification Date: October 30, 2006. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.1 or higher - 32-bit File Size: 8.4 MB MacPool 11.1 Cue up your best shot for an incredibly realistic game of Pool from the convenience of your computer. Experience why fans love MacPool and call it the “best pool game around.” Easy to play, this simulation of the popular 9-Ball, 8-Ball and 14:1, 3-Balls and Snooker. Add a new dimension with Online Game Mode where you can enjoy hours of fun playing with connected gamers around the world. License: Shareware, $5. Developer/Publisher: baKno.
Modification Date: January 27, 2014. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher - 32-bit File Size: 6.7 MB Out of the Park Baseball 18 Out of the Park Baseball 18 - the follow-up to Metacritic's PC Game of the Year 2016 and officially licensed through MLB.com and the MLBPA - is a baseball fan's dream come true! Step into the shoes of a GM and/or field manager to own the future or rewrite the past of your favorite real-world baseball franchise. Build the team the way you want to. Start a new career with your favorite 2017 MLB team or span through almost 150 years of baseball history and run any team from the past! You can even set up your own fictional baseball universe or compete in online leagues against other OOTP players. The possibilities in OOTP 18 are endless.
License: Demo, $20. Developer/Publisher: Out of the Park Developments. Modification Date: October 11, 2017. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.8 or higher File Size: 1.19 GB - Demo File Size: 1.19 GB - App Store File Size: 1.19 GB - Steam Redline 1.0.5 Fasten your seat belts, Redline racing delivers the thrill of auto racing from the track to your desktop. Put the pedal to the metal in the car of your choice, burning rubber through desert canyon race tracks, skidding across snow covered mountainous roads, and claiming the fame and glory of victory!
The real fun, though, is meeting nice people on the Internet and running them off of the road. Redline supports up to 12 people in a network race, either on a local network, or over the Internet.
Meet up in the Lobby, pick a course, pick your cars, and recklessly slam your newfound 'friends' into the guard rail in your quest for the coveted checkered flag. License: Shareware, $25. Developer/Publisher: Ambrosia Software. Modification Date: September 3, 2008. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher - 32-bit File Size: 191.6 MB Rocket League 1.57 Soccer meets driving once again in the long-awaited, physics-based sequel to the beloved arena classic, Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars! A futuristic Sports-Action game, Rocket League, equips players with booster-rigged vehicles that can be crashed into balls for incredible goals or epic saves across multiple, highly-detailed arenas.
Using an advanced physics system to simulate realistic interactions, Rocket League relies on mass and momentum to give players a complete sense of intuitive control in this unbelievable, high-octane re-imagining of association football. License: Buy, $20. Developer/Publisher: Psyonix, Inc. Modification Date: December 10, 2018. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.8.5 or higher - 64-bit - Steam X-Moto 0.5.10 X-Moto is a challenging 2D motocross platform game where physics plays an all important role in the gameplay.
You need to control your bike to its limits, if you want to have a chance to finish the most difficult challenges. License: Freeware. Developer/Publisher: Jose Coelho. Modification Date: December 14, 2013. Requirements: Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher - 32-bit File Size: 47.5 MB Denotes macOS Denotes iOS All Downloads are Direct Links to that Provided by the Developer/Publisher.