CrossOver

CrossOver is a proprietary Windows compatibility layer for macOS based on Wine made by developers CodeWeavers. CrossOver modifies Wine, adding compatibility patches, a user-friendly interface and technical support.

Availability

CrossOver is initially available with a 14-day trial. Remember to use the coupon code APPLEGAMINGWIKI for 25% off the cost of the purchase.

Then CrossOver can be purchased in three editions:

• CrossOver One - which is the current version of the software.
• CrossOver Pro - which gives 12 months of upgrades and phone support with a discounted renewal price.
• CrossOver Life - which gives lifetime access to all future versions and unlimited email and phone support.

It is normally recommended to purchase CrossOver Pro, as the major versions of CrossOver offer major changes which one may miss out on if stuck to the CrossOver One version at the time of purchase.

Nightly builds are available for BetterTesters, CodeWeaver's beta testing program.

It is also possible to compile Wine games using other methods for free, for example PortingKit or Wineskin.

Game launchers

CrossOver is capable of running many Windows games installed via exe files (for example DRM-free installers downloaded from GOG.com). However the support for actual game library platforms is currently limited

• Steam
• Ubisoft Connect
• Epic Games Launcher via Legendary : Epic games Launcher can be Installed via a command line tool called Legendary. This can be downloaded as a file from their GitHub Repository and can be added to path to invoke the CLI tool. Login to your Epic Games Account via legendary auth and use legendary list-games to view your library. After you install a game, add it to crossover via the "Run Command..." Option and navigating to /Users/<username>/legendary/<game folder> and locating the .exe file. The location may vary based on the game.

Rockstar Launcher, Uplay etc. aren't currently functional using CrossOver.

Recommended settings

DirectX 11

DirectX 11 support can be enabled by toggling DXVK.

Enable DXVK
Click Bottles icon Ctrl + click Bottle Enable Settings - Enable DXVK Backend D3D11

Esync

Enable Esync
Click Bottles icon Ctrl + click Bottle Enable Settings - Enable Performance Enhanced Synchronization (ESync)

Framerate tracking

Steam overlay

Steam overlay is part of Steam preferences and some games launches through Steam can display the game's framerate. However many games run through Steam do not necessarily correctly launch the Steam overlay.

DXVK HUD

• Only works when DXVK is enabled and a DirectX 10 or 11 game is running.
• Can cause graphical issues in some games, e.g. Dishonored 2.

1. Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/<bottle name>
2. Ctrl+click cxbottle.conf and open with TextEdit or another text editor
3. At the bottom of the file add “DXVK_HUD” = “1” and save

trdrop

It is possible to take raw footage and analyse using an application like trdrop.