The Mac OS X Client's absymal performance is a joke.

[Hyunckel]

Greetings,

I'm Hideyuki Kasuga, the lead programmer of FFXIV.

Thank you so much for all the feedback on the Mac version of FFXIV.

I’d like to take this time to address the comments about the performance of the Mac version in comparison to the Windows version by explaining the specifics and how we will address them moving forward. This is going to be another one of my long posts since it deals with technical elements, so please bear with me.

To start off, I’d like to explain the reason why the performance of the Mac version on the same machine with the same settings is lower than that of the Windows version.

There are three main factors for this difference in performance.

The first factor is the graphics API set.

For the Windows version of the game, DirectX is used as the graphics API, while OpenGL is used for the Mac version. Though Windows has OpenGL as well, when it comes to the drawing systems for games such as FFXIV, the performance of OpenGL is inferior to that of DirectX. Due to this difference in the graphics API, when using a Mac with the same standards as Windows, it will not be possible to reach the same performance as the Windows version. To put it simply, Windows is equipped with a large amount of elements for creating games while Mac does not have as many, and due to this, differences in fundamental performance arises.

The second factor is system-related.

There are aspects of the thread process scheduling for program parallelization that can be tuned by the Windows version that cannot be tuned by the Mac version. Due to this, situations arise where performance will not be elicited for portions of the game’s parallelization processing and the processing time for frames will be unstable. When comparing this aspect between Windows and Mac, no matter how you look at it there will be areas where performance differences arise.

Finally, the third factor is the system used to create the Mac version.

The Mac version of FFXIV uses the same executable files as the Windows version, and it was created using middleware that allows for functions of Windows to be converted into functions that can be executed on a Mac. This middleware is constantly running for the Mac version, which is an overhead not found in the Windows version. However, this is not a Windows emulator; it is middleware that transposes various types of functions so that they can be properly ran on a Mac. One example where this system is used is for converting the functions of DirectX into OpenGL.

When putting the above three factors together and comparing the Mac version to the Windows version, the Mac version will not reach the same level of performance as the Windows version with the same equipment and settings.

Furthermore, with the graphics and system balance found in Macs, the more characters that are drawn on the game screen then the more severe the drop in performance will be. After checking the recommended specs for the Mac version once more, you can make adjustments to the performance based on your system environment by going to “System Configuration,” clicking on “Other Settings” and then changing the “Character and Object Quantity.” If performance is severely dropping when a large amount of characters are displayed, I recommend trying to adjust this setting and improvements in performance can be expected.

Due to the aforementioned factors, the current Mac version’s performance is not on par with the Windows version. Since there are aspects that are dependent on the Mac OS system, we are unable to make improvements on the FFXIV application side for these. However, the development team will be working to improve the aspects that they can address, and we’ll be continuing to fine tune the Mac version with patches as needed.

Additionally, as one method for improving the capabilities of the Mac version, we think there are aspects that can be improved by using the DirectX 11 version for the Mac version, so we would like to look into releasing a DirectX 11 version that can run on Mac.

One thing I would like to add with is that Apple has announced their next Mac OS, El Capitan, will have features that may largely improve the performance for running various games. We’ll be talking to Apple about this and continue to make performance improvements so that the gaming experience on Macs are even better.

10characters

[Blayde]

So basically thats it, its not getting better unless metal in el capitan works for this. But i assume that takes some recoding to use.

[Naviz]

While I'm glad to see a detailed technical response I believe a bigger issue needs to be addressed, why are are we paying full price for a modified PC version?

I understand the need to charge for the Mac client but $60 when someone has already purchased the full on PC is just ridiculous. If someone already has the PC version they should only have to pay a one time fee to unlock the Mac client or a small fee to unlock the PC version if they've paid for the Mac. I willing paid for a PS4 copy of the game because it is understandable that you can't expect a free client for Sony's closed platform, however the current Mac license system needs to change.

[Aizei]

I asked the store for a refund and was fobbed off to ffxiv game support. Ive sent off another email to the store as well as one to the game support explaining that the store referred me to them

[Daegalus]

I am still waiting on a response to my Game support ticket that I sent in 2 days ago.

I read the technical response, and it makes sense but there are many routes they could have taken to make it better. Also if they used OpenGL 4.0+ which is supported by all apples since 2013, they can get the same performance and fidelity as DX11. Here is an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vk__hyOM2M This is OpenGL 4.0 and DX11

https://developer.apple.com/opengl/capabilities/ Graph of OpenGL capabilities in graphics cards in Apple computers. In 10.10 i think they have OpenGL 4.2 support.

Even then, they can take advantage of Metal in El Capitan in the future. This all can result in a performant native port with equal fidelity and performance to DX11.

[Daegalus]

Forum wont let me make posts longer than 1000 characters:

I think with the money they get, and the fact they make you get a license for every copy, they should have the money and resources to make a proper native port. I am sure the engine is abstracted enough where with a few dedicated engineers than can plug in a new backend next to the GNM/GNMX for PS4, the DX9/DX11 for Windows,and the PSGL(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSGL) for the PS3.

With how much flexibility the engine has, I don't see why they can't add an OpenGL 4.0+ target and later a Metal target.

[Daegalus]

Also for those saying Macs are not for gaming or ragging on it. Current day Macs are identical to PC laptops. and equivalent specced, and designed PC laptop costs the same. So the difference is the OS. Many people (especially developers, many of which game) prefer the Mac OS over Windows, for everyday work and developing. Since OSX is based on a Unix system (BSD), it makes a vastly superior development environment, but has the benefits of great graphical apps and first class support from most vendors. The only companies slacking are the AAA gaming companies, and even then many are changing their tune or sprucing up their engines to make native ports.

I think Transgaming is/was a copout move, and needs to stop, its only making things worse and fueling misconceptions. I am glad they got bought out, they should be shutdown internally, and Nvidia needs to rebuild the whole thing and stop wasting company's money.

[FayKayuun]

Also for those saying Macs...

Exactly this. Macs are no longer the black sheep of gaming. Just take a look at Steam, and also how well Blizzard's games run on the hardware. It's just dumb that we have people in this thread trying to do the tired DOH HOH MAC VS PC MASTER RACE AHHHH.

For a lot of people, Macs are a computer they own in addition to a Windows PC. And even if they don't, Macs are far from being useless to game with. Personally, I still have an MBP 2009(which I would never expect to run FFXIV obviously), but the point is it is still working perfectly. I cannot say that for a single Windows laptop I have ever had. They all just get some kind of problem or another.
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[FayKayuun]

...
I also got that Mac because it was the smallest laptop I could get with the highest specs at the time. Very convenient for taking to college, and I am a digital artist as well.

It seems they have already made SOME improvements to the client, but I do hope they eventually try their hand at a Native port. And no, PC users- this would be a different team from updates, etc so it isn't taking anything from you. And since when has anyone said the Mac version is free? Mac users are paying for a game and subscription as well, they deserve attention.

[Lemuria]

Mac's have never exactly been market leaders when it comes to games. They've always been labelled as trendy office computers for businesses rather than gaming systems. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it explains why the performance might not be up to scratch. When you use something for a task it was never really designed for, it's rarely as good at it.