The Decline of Whisky: A Mac Gamer’s Tool No Longer Supported
While MacBooks are not primarily known for their gaming capabilities, they do possess the ability to play games. Many serious gamers prefer dedicated gaming PCs or Windows laptops, yet there are still avenues for Mac users to engage in gaming. One such method involves software like CrossOver, albeit at a cost. Until recently, gamers on macOS could also utilize an open-source application named Whisky, or WhiskyWine, as a free alternative.
What Was Whisky?
Whisky harnessed the power of Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) combined with the Wine compatibility layer to enable Windows games to function on macOS. However, it has now come to light that the project’s sole developer, a student, has opted to cease further development of this tool. This decision was revealed through a public announcement on the official website, which was highlighted by TechSpot.
The Developer’s Decision
In the announcement, the developer expressed a loss of interest in the project and indicated that Whisky would not receive any future updates to enhance its functionality. Despite this, users may occasionally see patches in response to upcoming macOS upgrades that could disrupt the application’s operation. The developer candidly mentioned, “Running it is incredibly time-consuming, and as I’m still a student and also not being paid for work on Whisky, it becomes hard to justify working on it if I no longer enjoy it.”
Whisky’s Value and Impact
The developer further articulated concerns regarding Whisky’s contributions to the wider Wine community. They argued that since Whisky is built on the CrossOver framework, it didn’t introduce any groundbreaking improvements, thereby limiting its overall usefulness. In a critical perspective, the developer referred to Whisky’s dependence on CrossOver as “parasitic, ”raising worries that it might negatively influence CrossOver’s profitability and reduce Wine’s viability on macOS platforms.
Looking Ahead: CrossOver’s Innovations
In contrast, CrossOver has been experiencing notable advancements, including support for DirectX 12 games on macOS. This positions it as a far more robust option for Mac gamers seeking to bridge the gap between Windows and macOS gaming.
Future Projects of the Developer
As for the future endeavors of Whisky’s developer, they have shifted their focus toward new projects, including assisting with the porting of games like “Sonic Unleashed Recompiled”to macOS and Metal.
Related Articles:
Create PowerPoint Slides from Documents Using Copilot: Here’s a How-To Guide
6:59
Safeguarding Windows NTLM Credentials Against Zero-Day Security Threats
1:28
Windows 11 Introduces Enhanced AI Features and Accessibility Updates in Build 26120.3872 KB5055640
22:04
Leave a Reply ▼