FFXIV for macOS?

[RitsukoSonoda]

You could also just run it through bootcamp or a virtual machine like parallels.

While the file structure looks similar there are likely some hidden changes in the actual files here and there just because Apple likes use gimmicks to hook people into buying their price inflated hardware then make it annoying in some way shape or form to use software not acquired from their app store. Since a majority of the people that bought their devices aren't technically sound it makes them stick with their products because switching away from apple appears far too difficult to them.

[reiichi]

You could also just run it through bootcamp or a virtual machine like parallels.

While the file structure looks similar there are likely some hidden changes in the actual files here and there just because Apple likes use gimmicks to hook people into buying their price inflated hardware then make it annoying in some way shape or form to use software not acquired from their app store. Since a majority of the people that bought their devices aren't technically sound it makes them stick with their products because switching away from apple appears far too difficult to them.

No, it is literally running on a proprietary fork of wine formerly called Cedega/Cider/TransGaming. There are some quirks and tweaks specifically for macOS, but a normal build of Wine usually has newer features and probably would run better. We do know SE does some weird shit with Wine detection though because for a while, all Linux users playing the game with Wine ran into an issue where the launcher assumed they must have been using the macOS version instead. But that was all based on some basic Wine detection and Browser info. There's likely nothing unique about the files at all.

At the same time, running Windows in a VM on macOS would result in absolutely abysmal performance because there's poor graphics acceleration support. Which is basically the same for -all- VM technologies that can't passthrough a hardware device. Bootcamp would be the best option, followed by a relatively recent Linux installation. But it's also a hassle to reboot for games, so the Mac client isn't really -that- bad. We'll probably see things really start to improve once the Wine people finished their own direct to vulkan support, as DXVK isn't supported on macOS.

[icemoon86]

Yea, and I think there is absolutely no reason to buy the "Mac version" unless you have a very powerful Mac.
My system is not the most powerful and the performance is god awful compared to the Windows version running on a native Windows installation.
On Windows its quite playable with up to 50-60fps, but on Mac OS with their "Mac Port" I get a horrible performance of ~20-30fps on the same machine.

[ArnimZola]

I have a MacBook Pro 2019 w/ Radeon 5600m. I get a near consistent 60fps because I have the frame rate set to 60, but it does drop in highly populated areas.

Base on the popularity statistics for operating systems from statscounter, Newmarketshare, and W3C stats, I wouldn't be surprised if a native, non-translation layer, Mac client to be released in the future.

[Lemage]

Why do I have to pay for the game again when I've already paid for it

You don't, the Mac OS client is just an excuse to toss a wine wrapper and charge again, just DIY.
Linux similarly has the option to use Proton.

Edit: I realise this is an old thread, but this is directed to anyone who is wondering, not just the OP.

[Bruenor]

Thanks for necro'ing, seriously. I was shocked I had to buy both versions as the MMORPGs I had been playing since 1999 were either Windows only or buy one download both (Like WoW).

Since my new mini has no GPU I had been going eGPU but cant justify the expense since I have a SFF tower with a half height 1030 in it. I sure didn't want to add another $70 on top of the eGPU for one game. I have used wine though, so if that is all it is, and it works with an eGPU, that "could" solve my issue with what I want to do.