How to play inZOI on Mac

Game Overview

inZOI is a life simulation game that has captured the attention of gamers with its stunning visuals and best-in-class character customization. Players can meticulously design their Zois, from clothing items to facial features, allowing for a unique expression of creativity. Despite its impressive aesthetic and customization capabilities, the game is criticized for its lack of engaging gameplay, often mirroring the less exciting aspects of The Sims. Zois live in a world that feels more like an empty consumerist society, where the most notable activities are mundane tasks such as eating, sleeping, and going to work. While the game offers city management features that allow players to control various aspects of the environment, it falls short in delivering meaningful interactions or a compelling life narrative for its characters. What makes inZOI popular is its potential to rival The Sims, offering a fresh take with its hyper-realistic graphics and freedom in design, though it struggles to provide the same depth and humor. With its current release in Steam Early Access, inZOI shows promise but needs significant improvements to fulfill its ambitious goals. For Mac users wondering about compatibility, running inZOI might be challenging as it is primarily available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, with no official Mac version announced yet. However, using cloud gaming or software like Crossover could potentially enable Mac users to experience this intriguing, though as yet incomplete, simulation world.

1. Play inZOI 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 inZOI 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 inZOI in the Steam store, and install it.
5. Navigate to the Library in Steam, find inZOI, and click Play to start your simulation.

Install a Windows Application -> Steam

Install Steam on Mac via Crossover

2. Play inZOI 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 inZOI.
4. Click Play on inZOI 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 inZOI from any digital platform.
3. Enjoy the game with high-quality graphics.

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 inZOI like on any PC.