# Shattering Limitations: Playing PC Games on Apple Silicon Macs with Asahi Linux
Not long ago, the possibility of playing high-performance PC games on a Mac, especially through Linux or Arm-based processors, would have seemed far-fetched. Macs, particularly those operating on Apple’s unique hardware, were frequently regarded as incompatible with the gaming landscape, which is predominantly governed by Windows and x86 systems. However, due to the unwavering dedication of the Asahi Linux initiative, this once impossible aspiration is now a genuine possibility. The creators of Asahi Linux have accomplished an impressive task: enabling PC gaming on Apple Silicon Macs through Linux, and utilizing Arm processors.
This accomplishment represents more than just a technical achievement; it serves as a testament to the strength of open-source collaboration. It amalgamates a perfect combination of various open-source efforts, each providing an essential element to the solution. As stated by Alyssa Rosenzweig, the lead developer for the Asahi Linux GPU team, this advancement was made viable by integrating several pivotal technologies: FEX, Wine, DXVK, Proton, and the Asahi Linux project’s own Vulkan-compliant GPU driver for Apple’s hardware.
## The Open-Source Contributions Behind the Enchantment
### 1. **FEX: Converting x86 Code to Arm**
One of the primary challenges in playing PC games on Apple Silicon Macs stems from the disparity in processor architecture. Most PC games are created to operate on x86 processors, which are the standard in Windows gaming desktops. In contrast, Apple Silicon employs Arm-based processors, which differ fundamentally in their instruction handling.
This is where the **FEX** initiative comes into action. FEX is a dynamic binary translation layer that converts x86 CPU commands into Arm commands in real time. This enables games and other x86 applications to function on Arm-based platforms such as Apple Silicon Macs. Although this translation process does introduce some latency, it remains an indispensable part of making PC games operational on these devices.
### 2. **Wine: Executing Windows Binaries on Linux**
The next obstacle is the reality that most PC games are built to run on Windows rather than Linux. Enter **Wine**, a compatibility layer that permits Windows applications to operate on UNIX-like operating systems, including Linux. Wine interprets Windows API calls into their Linux counterparts, allowing games and additional software to run without the necessity of a complete Windows installation.
Wine has been fundamental to Linux gaming for many years, and its integration within the Asahi Linux project is crucial for running Windows-exclusive titles on Apple Silicon Macs.
### 3. **DXVK and Proton: Converting DirectX to Vulkan**
Most contemporary PC games utilize Microsoft’s **DirectX** APIs for graphics rendering. Nonetheless, DirectX is a Windows-only technology, while Linux employs a different graphics API called **Vulkan**. To reconcile this dissonance, the **DXVK** project translates DirectX 9, 10, and 11 API commands into Vulkan API calls, enabling games that depend on DirectX to function on Linux systems.
In addition to DXVK, the **Proton** initiative, developed by Valve, further improves this compatibility by integrating Wine and DXVK into a cohesive package. Proton is the backbone of Steam Play, allowing Linux users to enjoy Windows games on Steam. By utilizing Proton, Asahi Linux can run a diverse range of DirectX-based games on Apple Silicon Macs.
### 4. **Asahi Linux: Vulkan-Compliant GPU Driver**
Arguably the most significant input from the Asahi Linux project itself is the creation of a **Vulkan-compliant GPU driver** tailored for Apple’s graphics hardware. Apple Silicon Macs feature custom GPUs that are incompatible with standard Linux drivers. The Asahi team has meticulously reverse-engineered Apple’s GPU architecture to develop a driver that supports Vulkan, the modern cross-platform graphics API.
This driver is vital for executing games on Apple Silicon Macs since Vulkan is the API that DXVK and Proton depend on to translate DirectX commands. Without this driver, none of the other components would operate effectively.
## Bridging the Memory Divide: Virtual Machines
While the synergy of FEX, Wine, DXVK, Proton, and the Asahi GPU driver enables running PC games on Apple Silicon Macs, there’s an additional hurdle to address: memory addressing. Apple Silicon systems utilize 16 KB memory pages, whereas x86 systems generally use 4 KB pages. This variance in memory architecture may lead to compatibility challenges, especially for Linux distributions functioning on Arm-based systems.
To address this issue, the games are executed **within a virtual machine (VM)**. The VM acts as a conduit between the two memory architectures, facilitating smooth gameplay despite the differences in memory addressing methods. This strategy guarantees that the games can access the resources they require without crashing or facing other memory-related difficulties.
## The Games: A Preview of What’s Ahead
In her blog post, Alyssa Rosenzweig
