How to play BeamNG.drive on Mac

Game Overview

BeamNG.drive is a highly realistic driving simulation game developed and published by BeamNG GmbH. It was initially released as a tech demo in 2013 and moved to Steam Early Access in 2015. As of September 2022, the game is on version 0.26.1 and receives major updates approximately every three months. The game is renowned for its advanced soft-body physics engine, which simulates vehicle dynamics and damage in real-time, making it popular among streamers and video creators. The gameplay in BeamNG.drive is diverse, offering a sandbox environment where players can explore various maps, drive different vehicles, and create custom scenarios. The game includes hundreds of driving missions and challenges, and players can use the built-in World Editor to create their own stunts and driving scenarios. BeamNG.drive also features an early preview version of a career mode, accessible by clicking the greyed-out ‘Career’ button on the main menu six times in succession. Additionally, the game supports mods, allowing players to download extra cars, maps, scenarios, and sounds from the developer-approved repository on BeamNG.com. Running BeamNG.drive on a Mac is not straightforward, as the game does not natively support macOS. However, there are workarounds. One method is using CrossOver, a compatibility utility that allows some Windows applications to run on macOS. Users can install CrossOver, then Steam, and finally BeamNG.drive. Another method is using Boot Camp to create a Windows partition on a Mac, allowing the game to run natively on Windows. Additionally, we succeeded in running BeamNG.drive on Apple M1 devices using CrossOver, although performance may vary and newer versions of the game may not be fully supported.

1. Play BeamNG.drive with CrossOver via Steam

Game runs better with Game Porting Toolkit 2.0. Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) 2.0 introduces several significant enhancements aimed at improving the gaming experience on Apple devices. Key updates include support for ray tracing, the AVX2 instruction set, and improved graphics and compute compatibility, which collectively enhance performance and visual fidelity. The toolkit also offers an expanded set of game technologies and tools for debugging and profiling games using Metal tools like Metal HUD, Metal GPU capture, and Metal System Trace. These improvements make it easier to port and optimize Windows games for Mac.

CrossOver is a software tool that enables users to run Windows applications on macOS and Linux without needing a Windows operating system license. It is based on the popular open-source Wine project and works by translating Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly, eliminating the performance and resource penalties of virtual machines. With CrossOver, users can seamlessly integrate Windows applications into their native environment, running them as if they were native applications on their Mac or Linux systems. This software is especially useful for those who need access to certain Windows-only programs for business, education, or gaming purposes, providing a streamlined and efficient solution without the complexity of dual-booting or maintaining a separate Windows installation. Here’s how to play BeamNG.drive using CrossOver through Steam:

1. Visit the CrossOver website, purchase the software, and download it. Install CrossOver on your Mac by dragging it into the Applications folder.
2. Open CrossOver, click Install a Windows Application, and select Steam from the list. Follow the prompts to install.
3. On the right side, in the Advanced Settings, switch D3DMetal and MSync toggles.
4. Launch Steam within CrossOver, log into your Steam account, find BeamNG.drive in the Steam store, and install it.
5. Navigate to the Library in Steam, find BeamNG.drive, and click Play to start your simulation.

Install a Windows Application -> Steam

Install Steam on Mac via Crossover

2. Play BeamNG.drive on cloud gaming services (Boosteroid and GeForce Now)

Note: Cloud gaming probably is the best way to play BeamNG.drive on Mac (M1/M2/M3) currently as game is poorly optimized even for high-end PCs. Running it via compatibility layers may lead to low performance and crashes.

Cloud gaming platforms stream games from remote servers, offering high performance without demanding hardware. Cloud gaming services are expanding the accessibility of gaming by eliminating many of the traditional barriers, such as the need for constant hardware upgrades and the initial cost of games. As internet speeds increase and technology advances, cloud gaming continues to grow as a popular alternative to traditional console and PC gaming.

Boosteroid

Boosteroid is a cloud gaming platform that allows users to play video games directly from the cloud on various devices, including PCs, smartphones, and smart TVs. This service provides access to a wide range of games without the need for powerful hardware. With Boosteroid, gamers can stream their favorite games over the internet, bypassing the need for downloading or updating games locally. The platform operates on a subscription model, offering different tiers to accommodate various user needs and preferences. Boosteroid is known for its ease of use, enabling seamless gaming experiences across different operating systems and devices, promoting greater accessibility and convenience for gamers worldwide.

1. Visit Boosteroid, sign up, and subscribe.
2. Search for the BeamNG.drive game and play directly in your web browser.

GeForce Now

GeForce Now is a cloud gaming service developed by NVIDIA that allows users to stream video games to their devices, leveraging NVIDIA’s powerful cloud-based GPU servers. This service enables gamers to play their own games from popular digital libraries such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and Uplay on virtually any device, including PCs, Macs, Shield TVs, and mobile devices. GeForce Now differentiates itself by not requiring users to purchase games from a specific library, instead allowing them to play games they already own, provided those games are supported on the service. It offers various membership tiers, including a free option and a premium subscription that provides enhanced graphics with RTX technology, reduced waiting times, and extended session lengths.

1. Register for a GeForce Now account on their website. Choose between free or premium plans.
2. Install the GeForce Now app on your chosen device (PC, Mac, or mobile).
3. Link your Blizzard account in the GeForce Now app to access BeamNG.drive.
4. Use the search feature in the app to locate BeamNG.drive.
5. Click Play on BeamNG.drive within the app to begin streaming the game.

3. Play BeamNG.drive using Parallels

BeamNG.drive is playable on Parallels, however performance might not be the best on less powerful Mac machines.

Parallels is a software application that allows users to run Windows and other operating systems simultaneously alongside macOS without rebooting. This virtualization technology is particularly popular among Mac users who need to access Windows applications for work or play. Parallels Desktop is known for its seamless integration, offering features like Coherence Mode, which allows applications from different operating systems to run side-by-side as if they are part of the same system. This makes it incredibly convenient for users to switch between macOS and Windows applications. Additionally, Parallels is designed to optimize performance, ensuring that both the Mac and the virtualized environments run efficiently. This software is a robust solution for those who require multiple operating systems but prefer to use one computer. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to the Parallels website, download the installer and apply for free trial.
2. Install a Windows operating system within Parallels. You’ll need a Windows license.
3. On Windows, download and install BeamNG.drive as you would on a PC (using Steam).
4. Launch the game within the Windows virtual machine.

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 1)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 2)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 3)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 4)

4. Use Boot Camp (for Intel-based Macs only)

Note: Boot Camp is not supported on Macs with M1/M2/M3 chips.

Boot Camp is a utility software included with macOS that allows users to install and run Windows on Macintosh computers in a dual-boot configuration. By partitioning the computer’s hard drive, Boot Camp enables a Mac to boot either into macOS or Windows, providing full system performance for Windows as it runs natively on the hardware. This solution is ideal for Mac users who need to run Windows applications that do not have macOS versions or who require the performance benefits of running certain programs directly on the hardware without virtualization overhead. Boot Camp simplifies the installation process, guiding users through the setup with step-by-step instructions and making it straightforward to switch between operating systems.

1. Get the Windows 10 ISO file (Windows 11 ISO file) from the Microsoft website. Choose the version that matches your license.
2. Find Boot Camp in the Utilities folder within your Applications. Open it to start the setup.
3. Use Boot Camp Assistant to allocate space on your hard drive for Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the partition size.
4. Follow the prompts in Boot Camp Assistant to begin the Windows installation. Your Mac will reboot into the Windows setup.
5. During the Windows installation, choose the BOOTCAMP partition and format it.
6. Complete the installation by following the Windows setup instructions.
7. To switch between macOS and Windows, restart your Mac and hold the Option key to select the operating system you want to use.
8. Once Windows is installed, set up BeamNG.drive like on any PC.