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For gamers who use Macs, finding the right game launcher software can be a difficult task. With a plethora of options available, it can be challenging to know which program is right for you. Fortunately, we’ve taken the time to evaluate the best game launchers for Mac, so you don’t have to. In this article, we’ll be introducing some of the best game launcher software available for Mac. We’ll provide comprehensive details about each software’s features and suggest which one may work best for your needs.
Video Tutorial:
What is a Game Launcher?
Before we discuss the top game launcher software for Mac, let’s first define what exactly a game launcher is. A game launcher is an application that provides a platform for all your gaming needs. Think of it as a hub for all your games, where you can buy, download and manage games all in one place. Having a game launcher not only makes it easier to organize your games but also opens up an opportunity for game developers to offer you exclusive deals.
Top 6 Game Launcher Software Recommendations for Mac in 2021
1. Steam
Undoubtedly, when it comes to game launchers, one of the first names that come to mind is Steam. Developed by Valve Corporation, Steam has been leading the game launcher market for nearly two decades. The size of the player base alone is the biggest plus point. Steam has over 120 million registered players, making it the most popular game launcher platform globally.
Steam offers an extensive range of games and even supports cross-platform play. Moreover, it provides additional features such as cloud saves, workshop, community features and much more. Despite its popularity, Steam may not be for everyone, as it only supports PC and Mac.
Pros:
– Huge library of games
– A large user base guarantees seamless matchmaking experience
– Available on multiple platforms
Cons:
– Lack of browser integration
– Only supports PC and Mac
– Some games are exclusive to other platforms.
2. Epic Games Store
Epic Games launched its game launcher, the Epic Games Store, in 2018. In its short time on the market, it has quickly become a significant competitor to Steam. The store provides access to free games every month and often offers top-rated games with a reduction on its original price.
One of the most significant advantages Epic Games Store has over Steam is its ability to offer exclusive titles to users.
Pros:
– Offers exclusive titles
– Provides free games every month
– Reduced prices on high-rated games
Cons:
– Smaller library of games compared to Steam
– Some games are only exclusive to other platforms
– Shopping cart can be confusing to use at times
3. GOG Galaxy
Good Old Games, or for short GOG, has been providing games for almost two decades. GOG has its own game launcher called GOG Galaxy. While Steam became popular for its online games, GOG focuses more on the offline side of gaming. GOG caters to fans who enjoy retro and newer games alike.
GOG often retails retro classics like Fallout 1 & 2, Baldur’s Gate, and the Dragon Age series. GOG’s USP is that it doesn’t require an internet connection to play games that you download from the platform.
Pros:
– Good selection of classic and modern games
– Offline support
– No mandatory requirements for internet connection
Cons:
– Not many games are available on their platform
– You have to pay extra for some features, such as multiplayer in some games.
– Some users have reported bugs when downloading or launching games.
4. Battle.net
Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, Battle.net serves as a central hub for all Blizzard titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo III and Hearthstone. The platform provides a consistent user experience across all supported games, making it easy to manage the games you own. Since you can only find Blizzard titles here, you should look elsewhere if you’re seeking a platform with variety.
Pros:
– Stable user interface
– Built-in voice chat feature
– Cross-platform support
Cons:
– Provides exclusively Blizzard products
– Unable to navigate using an internet browser
– Requires separate account creation
5. Origin
Electronic Arts’ Origin is great for those who wish to play any EA games. With its partnership with EA, you can discover and purchase all the latest EA titles while accessing the older ones. Sometimes deals can be found with big winter sales, reducing game prices even further.
Pros:
– Large EA games database
– Inexpensive game deals
– Subscriptions, such as EA play enables users to get access to selected games
Cons:
– Only limited to EA’s catalog
– No third party support
– Poor community interaction
6. itch.io
For game developers and players who enjoy indie games, itch.io is the perfect platform for unique and quirky game ideas. It offers an opportunity for indie developers to publish their games and sell them through this platform. You can also access many free games as you wish, and also simple straightforward navigation of the site. itch.io is also an open-source platform.
Pros:
– Large indie game collection
– Open-source platform
– Frequent game jams
Cons:
– Navigation can be difficult at times
– Inconsistent game quality
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Free | Easy-to-use | 5/5 |
| Epic Games Store | Free | Easy-to-use | 4/5 |
| GOG Galaxy | Free | Easy-to-use | 3/5 |
| Battle.net | Free | Easy-to-use | 5/5 |
| Origin | Free | Easy-to-use | 4/5 |
| itch.io | Free | Easy-to-use | 5/5 |
Our Thoughts on Game Launchers for Mac
In conclusion, choosing a game launcher that meets all your needs can be challenging, especially with so many options available. Depending on what you’re looking for, each game launcher serves its purpose adequately. For instance, if you’re looking for a platform to play Blizzard titles, then Battle.net should be your priority choice. On the other hand, itch.io is perfect for indie game fans. For new gamers starting their gaming journey on Mac, we recommend Steam, which caters to all your gaming needs.
FAQs
Q1: Is there a free game launcher for Mac?
A: Yes. Several game launchers are free for Mac, including Steam, Origin, Battle.net, itch.io, GOG Galaxy and Epic Games Store.
Q2: Is Steam the best game launcher for Mac?
A: Steam is one of the best game launchers for Mac, offering a vast game library and robust features. But it may not fulfil your specific needs as it only supports Mac and PC.
Q3: Do I need game launcher software to play games on Mac?
A: No, you don’t need game launcher software to play games on Mac. However, game launchers serve as a fantastic hub for all your gaming needs. With the purchase of games on game launchers, exclusive deals with developers might also be available.
Q4: Can I install game launcher software on my Apple device?
A: Yes, game launcher software is available on Apple devices. However, Apple is strict about the inclusion of gaming-app material on their platform, and it might prove hard to install game launcher software.
Q5: Can I play Windows games on Mac?
A: Yes. Some game launchers like Steam and GOG Galaxy provide a service known as Proton, which allows players to play games developed for Windows on a Mac OS.
In Conclusion
Q2: Is Steam the best game launcher for Mac?
A: Steam is one of the best game launchers for Mac, offering a vast game library and robust features. But it may not fulfil your specific needs as it only supports Mac and PC.
Q3: Do I need game launcher software to play games on Mac?
A: No, you don’t need game launcher software to play games on Mac. However, game launchers serve as a fantastic hub for all your gaming needs. With the purchase of games on game launchers, exclusive deals with developers might also be available.
Q4: Can I install game launcher software on my Apple device?
A: Yes, game launcher software is available on Apple devices. However, Apple is strict about the inclusion of gaming-app material on their platform, and it might prove hard to install game launcher software.
Q5: Can I play Windows games on Mac?
A: Yes. Some game launchers like Steam and GOG Galaxy provide a service known as Proton, which allows players to play games developed for Windows on a Mac OS.
In Conclusion
Q3: Do I need game launcher software to play games on Mac?
A: No, you don’t need game launcher software to play games on Mac. However, game launchers serve as a fantastic hub for all your gaming needs. With the purchase of games on game launchers, exclusive deals with developers might also be available.
Q4: Can I install game launcher software on my Apple device?
A: Yes, game launcher software is available on Apple devices. However, Apple is strict about the inclusion of gaming-app material on their platform, and it might prove hard to install game launcher software.
Q5: Can I play Windows games on Mac?
A: Yes. Some game launchers like Steam and GOG Galaxy provide a service known as Proton, which allows players to play games developed for Windows on a Mac OS.
In Conclusion
Q4: Can I install game launcher software on my Apple device?
A: Yes, game launcher software is available on Apple devices. However, Apple is strict about the inclusion of gaming-app material on their platform, and it might prove hard to install game launcher software.
Q5: Can I play Windows games on Mac?
A: Yes. Some game launchers like Steam and GOG Galaxy provide a service known as Proton, which allows players to play games developed for Windows on a Mac OS.
In Conclusion
Q5: Can I play Windows games on Mac?
A: Yes. Some game launchers like Steam and GOG Galaxy provide a service known as Proton, which allows players to play games developed for Windows on a Mac OS.
In Conclusion
In Conclusion
With so many game launcher options available for Mac, the process of choosing the right one for you can be made simple by considering what you need in a game launcher. Be it a vast library of games or exclusive titles. Some game launcher software is free, while others require a fee or in-platform purchases. We hope that this article gave you perspective and helped you make an informed decision.