How to play Black Desert on Mac

Game Overview

Black Desert is a visually stunning MMORPG developed by Pearl Abyss that has captivated players with its intricate open-world design and dynamic gameplay. Set in a rich, immersive fantasy universe, the game offers players an unparalleled level of freedom to explore and engage in a variety of activities, from intense combat to crafting and trading. Its real-time combat system is fluid and skill-based, which sets it apart from traditional tab-targeting systems found in many MMORPGs. Players can choose from a wide array of classes, each with unique abilities and combat styles, allowing for diverse play experiences. The game’s life skills, such as fishing, farming, and alchemy, offer a slower-paced, yet equally rewarding gameplay option for those who prefer a more relaxed approach. A robust character customization system allows players to create truly unique avatars, adding to the personalized experience. Its popularity can be attributed to its breathtaking graphics, detailed world-building, and constant updates that keep the content fresh and engaging. The game fosters a strong community through guilds and large-scale PvP battles, adding layers of social interaction and competition. While the game was originally designed for PC, Mac users have found ways to run Black Desert using third-party software like Boot Camp or Parallels, although performance can vary. Official support for Mac is still lacking, which remains a consideration for Apple users eager to dive into this expansive world.

1. Play Black Desert on cloud gaming services (GeForce Now and AirGPU)

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.

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. Use the search feature in the app to locate Black Desert.
4. Click Play on Black Desert within the app to begin streaming the game.

AirGPU

AirGPU is a cloud gaming service that offers users the ability to rent high-performance virtual gaming PCs on demand. This platform enables gamers to stream the latest and most demanding games directly to their devices without the need for high-end local hardware. AirGPU provides a flexible rental model, allowing users to pay by the hour for access to powerful gaming rigs equipped with top-tier graphics and processing capabilities. The service supports a variety of devices including desktops, laptops, and some tablets, ensuring that users can enjoy a premium gaming experience from virtually anywhere. AirGPU stands out by offering personalized settings and configurations, giving gamers the freedom to customize their virtual machines to meet specific gaming needs.

1. Sign up at AirGPU and rent a high-performance virtual PC.
2. Connect to your cloud PC, install Black Desert from any digital platform.
3. Enjoy the game with high-quality graphics.

2. 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 Black Desert like on any PC.

Why Black Desert is not running on Mac via CrossOver or Parallels?

Black Desert, a popular MMORPG known for its stunning graphics and expansive world, faces compatibility challenges when it comes to running on Mac systems via Crossover or Parallels. These applications, which enable Windows applications to run on macOS, often struggle with games like Black Desert that require advanced graphical support and DirectX functionalities. The game’s engine and anti-cheat systems are optimized primarily for native Windows environments, creating a barrier for seamless operation on virtual platforms. Additionally, emulating such a resource-intensive game can lead to significant performance issues, including lag and graphical glitches, making the gaming experience less enjoyable. The constant updates and patches that Black Desert undergoes can also complicate compatibility, requiring frequent adjustments within the emulation software. For players committed to experiencing Black Desert on a Mac, the most reliable solution remains using Boot Camp to install Windows natively, albeit with the trade-off of having to partition their hard drive. This situation highlights the broader challenges faced by Mac users in accessing a diverse range of gaming experiences.