How to play Dead by Daylight on Mac

Game Overview

Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical multiplayer horror game developed by Behaviour Interactive, where one player assumes the role of a savage killer and the other four players are survivors trying to escape. The game offers a unique blend of tension and strategy, as survivors work together to repair generators and open exit gates while avoiding the killer’s pursuit. Each character, both killer and survivor, comes with their own set of abilities and perks, allowing for varied gameplay experiences and strategies. The game’s success can be attributed to its engaging mechanics, frequent updates, and a plethora of horror-themed content, including iconic killers and survivors from popular horror franchises. The thrill of the chase, combined with the necessity for teamwork and the unpredictable nature of each match, keeps players coming back for more. Its strong community and the developer’s commitment to continually adding new content have cemented its place in the multiplayer horror genre. For Mac users, the game is indeed playable, though it requires either Boot Camp or a virtual machine setup to run Windows, as there is no native Mac version available. This extra step might be a bit inconvenient, but for those dedicated to experiencing intense horror and adrenaline-pumping gameplay, it is well worth the effort.

1. Play Dead by Daylight on cloud gaming services (Boosteroid and GeForce Now)

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 Dead by Daylight game and play directly in your web browser.

Note: Boosteroid streams games seamlessly, making it accessible on most internet-connected devices.

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 Dead by Daylight.
4. Click Play on Dead by Daylight within the app to begin streaming the game.

3. 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 Dead by Daylight like on any PC.

Why users cannot run Dead by Daylight on Mac via Crossover or Parallels?

Dead by Daylight, a popular multiplayer survival horror game, has faced significant challenges when it comes to running on Mac systems through compatibility tools like Crossover or Parallels. The primary obstacle lies in the game’s robust anti-cheat systems, which are designed to maintain a fair and secure gaming environment. These systems, such as Easy Anti-Cheat, are deeply integrated into the game’s architecture and require kernel-level access to function correctly. Unfortunately, neither Crossover nor Parallels can fully support this level of system integration due to the inherent differences between macOS and Windows architectures. As a result, attempts to play Dead by Daylight on Mac using these tools are thwarted, leaving Mac users without a viable option to join the hunt. This limitation underscores the broader challenge of maintaining game security while striving for cross-platform compatibility.