# MacLauncher

> Play games on macOS through native runtimes, with a Metal graphics and effects layer and tools for tinkering.

MacLauncher is a native runtime system, graphics/effects layer, and tinker tool for playing games on macOS.

Web page: https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/

- [Get started](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/getting-started.md)
- [MacLauncher for Apple Silicon Macs](https://github.com/procrastinine/maclauncher/releases/latest/download/MacLauncher.app.zip)
- [MacLauncher for Intel Macs](https://github.com/procrastinine/maclauncher/releases/latest/download/MacLauncher-Intel.app.zip)
- [Whole site as Markdown](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/llms-full.txt)

The demo below runs the launcher's interface in your browser, with a library of example games. Each button shows what it would do, along with the article that explains it.

[Try the interactive demo](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/demo/): the real launcher interface on example games, where every button explains what it would do.

## What it does

**[Native runtimes](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/games.md)**

Many Windows games are built on engines that also run on macOS. MacLauncher
detects the engine and version, fetches a macOS runtime for it, and plays the game natively. It also
runs Android, iOS, PS5 and Switch games without emulation.

**[Graphics and effects](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/graphics.md)**

Upscalers, frame generation, neural models and any ReShade, RetroArch or mpv
shader, stacked in any order and changed live, for every runtime.

**[Tinker tools](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/tools.md)**

Download any version you own from Steam, GOG, Epic, itch.io and Google Play.
Snapshot and edit saves, use cheats, and decompile most engines.

**[Files and network](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/help/faq.md#does-it-change-my-game-files)**

Original files are never modified, every runtime is versioned, and nothing
goes online unless you ask.

*Image: The MacLauncher library with a game selected, its inspector showing runtime and graphics settings.*

## Start exploring

- [What is MacLauncher?](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/introduction.md): The longer introduction.
- [How games run on a Mac](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/background/how-games-run.md): VMs, emulators, WINE and native runtimes, explained.
- [Games and runtimes](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/games.md): Everything MacLauncher can play, by game type, and the runtimes that play it.
- [Graphics and effects](https://procrastinine.github.io/maclauncher/graphics.md): Shaders, upscaling and frame generation, with examples.