Any Update on FFXIV Compatibility for ARM (M1) Macs?

[HalfLoaf]

It is a wrapper indeed, just like the Steam version is a 'wrapper' and you pay for that as well. I have an OLD pc from 2014 I use for FF, it's just an i5 4960k and a GTX 980...but it sits at 60fps all day long on 1920x1200, apart from maybe Limsa. My MacPro with RX 580 sits at around 35-45fps...20fps in Limsa. The wrapper just has so much overhead as activity monitors shows 100% usage of the GPU and only about 30% on the CPU.

[_Pigzig]

Thanks. Makes sense it runs like a turd. If anyone else has an M1 Mac I'd like to know what settings you play on.
For me even 720p seems borderline.

[Tanarkus]

Thanks. Makes sense it runs like a turd. If anyone else has an M1 Mac I'd like to know what settings you play on.
For me even 720p seems borderline.

I am running it on an M1 MacBook Air, with 8 GPU cores... PS4 controller via bluetooth, of course. Depending on settings and where I am in the game, it runs anywhere from 6 FPS* to 60-ish FPS.

Generally, I run it full screen at ??x800 (whatever the next step up from 720p is), with the Quality set to "High" (the middle setting). What also helps is reducing the number of objects down from Maximum, in the ellipsis section of the system settings. I tend to keep screwing with the settings, hoping to get an extra bump.

It doesn't run like a turd, but you definitely need to lower your expectations with regards to shadows, bump mapping, and other graphics prettiness.

As a side note, FFXIV for MacOS is little more than the Windows x64 version in a WINE wrapper. It was ported by TransGaming using their Cider fork of WINE. Once TG died, the project was taken over by Codeweavers, using their CrossOver package. (See https://www.codeweavers.com/about/news/press/20190628 )

I do not expect Squeenix to abandon the Mac client, nor do I expect them to embrace the M1. Although Windows 10 and 11 have ARM variants, that hardware tends to be tablets and ultrabooks. Not exactly a target market for gaming. ...and that would be the greater business need for an ARM-native version.

* Six FPS? Yes. I used AirPlay to connect it to my AppleTV to run on a native 4K television. I do not recommend.