GeForce Now game streaming vastly improved on M1 Macs

With a new update, the GeForce Now game streaming service will now run better on a Mac, and RTX 3080 members can play at native 1600p on their M1 Macs.

The GeForce Now update brings a few new perks for members like linking Nvidia and Ubisoft accounts for fast sign-in. Mac users get a treat with improved streaming performance and new gaming modes for the M1-based Macs.

Along with streaming improvements, players on the M1 MacBook Pro and M1 MacBook Air can now run games at their native resolution — 1600p. This is restricted to RTX 3080 members and enables streaming sessions for up to 8 hours.

Set RTX on for both RTX 3080 and Priority members to experience real-time ray tracing without the need for a PC. Of course, players will need robust network connections for great streaming sessions.

Nvidia also notes that there is a fix for streaming in the correct aspect ratio when gaming on a MacBook Pro with M1 Max.

GeForce Now is a cloud gaming service that gives players access to their PC library over Ubisoft connect, Steam, and other platforms. Players can enjoy their games on any supported browser from Macs to Safari on iPhone.

Updated 1:50 P.M. Eastern: Removed statement saying GeForce Now is Apple Silicon native, when it is actually Intel-based running on Rosetta 2.

10 Comments

OutdoorAppDeveloper 15 Years · 1292 comments

About 3 years ago

How badly do you have to fail at games for a streaming service like GeForce Now to be the best option on your computers? This is proof that Apple does not have users' best interests at heart when it makes its developer rules. Here are some of the reasons why Macs suck at games:
Lack of support for industry graphics standards like Vulkan.
Lack of support for 32 bit software.
Lack of support for third party graphics drivers.
Open hostility towards game platforms like Steam and Epic.
Open hostility towards NVIDIA.

Wesley Hilliard 4 Years · 263 comments

OutdoorAppDeveloper said:

"How badly do you have to fail at games"

Nothing you listed has anything to do with developer rules. They are platform limitations, especially now with M1. I don't know why people believe the Mac needs to be a gaming machine when there are much better options. Just buy a Playstation or Xbox to play games, or god forbid get a gaming PC.

Macs don't need to service every market, just the professional ones it has always served. Besides, we can't ignore the games you can play on the platform just because they aren't what you want to play.

I do wonder if Apple will ever push for more Apple Arcade games specific to Mac, or if that will stay focused on mobile experiences.

libertymatters 3 Years · 44 comments

The right tool for the right job. Macs just aren't for gaming. That's ok.

auxio 19 Years · 2766 comments

libertymatters said:

The right tool for the right job. Macs just aren't for gaming. That's ok.

Exactly. If your main reason for purchasing a machine is playing games, it would be foolish to buy a Mac when you could get a dedicated gaming machine like a Playstation or Xbox for much much cheaper. The overwhelming majority of people buying Macs are doing it for professional uses like software development, video/audio editing, graphic design, etc. Being able to play some games on the side is a bonus, but not a requirement. Apple Arcade and services like this give you that bonus.

Wesley Hilliard said:

OutdoorAppDeveloper said:

"How badly do you have to fail at games"

I do wonder if Apple will ever push for more Apple Arcade games specific to Mac, or if that will stay focused on mobile experiences.

IMO, the Apple TV would be where Apple would have more success with gaming (as a competitor to other game consoles). Just need to create a high end Apple TV with a powerful GPU and get some top game development shops to port their games over.