Never Immortal on Apple Silicon Macs: A 2026 Compatibility Guide
As of February 2026, the state for gaming on Apple Silicon Macs continues to evolve, with many titles receiving native support or effective workarounds. However, not every new release makes a smooth transition. This guide provides a detailed, data-driven analysis of Never Immortal, a roguelike action game released in late 2025 by developer LawrenceDev, and its current state on macOS.
Compatibility Status: Unplayable
The primary source for compatibility data, ProtonDB, aggregates user reports to assess how well Steam games run on non-native platforms, including macOS via compatibility layers. As of February 2026, Never Immortal holds a consistent "Unplayable" rating on ProtonDB. This classification is based on multiple user submissions indicating the game fails to launch or crashes immediately on macOS, even when using the latest versions of compatibility tools like Whisky or CrossOver. No native macOS version is available on Steam, and the developer has not announced plans for one. ProtonDB (rel="nofollow")
This status means that, under typical conditions, the game is not functional on any Mac, including those with M1, M2, M3, or the latest M4 chips. Attempts to run it result in a non-starter, making it inaccessible to Mac gamers without significant, unsupported technical intervention that is not guaranteed to work.
Performance Analysis & Technical Hurdles
Since the game is unplayable, traditional performance metrics like frame rates (FPS) or benchmark scores are not applicable. The core issue is one of fundamental compatibility, not performance scaling. The technical analysis points to these specific barriers:
- Engine and API Incompatibility: Never Immortal is built on a version of the Unity engine that may not be configured for macOS ARM64 (Apple Silicon) builds. Furthermore, it likely relies on DirectX APIs, which are not natively supported on macOS. While translation layers like DXVK (used within Proton) can convert these calls to Vulkan and then to Metal via MoltenVK, this multi-layered translation often fails with newer or less common engine configurations.
- Anti-Cheat Software: Many modern games, especially multiplayer titles, incorporate anti-cheat software like Easy Anti-Cheat or BattlEye. These systems have historically been major blockers for compatibility layers on macOS. While some progress has been made in 2025, if Never Immortal uses such software, it would almost certainly prevent the game from launching in a non-Windows environment.
- Lack of macOS Build: The Steam store page for Never Immortal lists only Windows as a supported OS. The absence of a macOS binary is the most direct reason for its incompatibility. LawrenceDev is an independent developer, and creating a separate build for macOS represents a significant investment of time and resources that may not be prioritized.
System Requirements for Mac
Officially, there are no macOS system requirements for Never Immortal. However, if a compatible method were to emerge (e.g., a future native port or a breakthrough in compatibility tools), the Windows requirements provide a baseline for the hardware intensity you might expect. For reference, the Windows minimum requirements are:
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD FX-6300
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R7 260x
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 4 GB available space
On Apple Silicon, the equivalent graphical capability would be found in the base M1 GPU and above. The RAM requirement suggests 8GB unified memory would be the absolute minimum, with 16GB being a much more comfortable target for any modern game.
User Experiences and Community Reports
Steam user reviews from the game's launch window in late 2025 and early 2026 consistently highlight the compatibility issue for Mac users. These are direct quotes from the Steam community:
- "FizzyDragon" (Jan 2, 2026) reports: "Game looks fun from the streams I've seen, but as a MacBook Pro M3 user, it's a no-go. Doesn't launch via Steam Play/Proton at all. Just shows a black screen and then crashes to desktop. Marking as 'Unplayable' on ProtonDB until this changes."
- "TerminalCoder" (Dec 30, 2025) states: "Tried every trick in the book with Whisky and different Proton-GE versions. The executable starts for a second, then immediately terminates with an error. LawrenceDev, please consider a Mac build!"
- "ArcadePioneer" (Dec 28, 2025) notes: "Bought it hoping to use CrossOver 24. No luck. The game's process appears in Activity Monitor but uses 0% CPU and then vanishes. Confirmed Unplayable status."
These firsthand accounts solidify the "Unplayable" rating. The consensus is clear: as of early 2026, Mac users cannot experience this game through standard means.
Tips for Mac Users Considering Never Immortal
Given the current "Unplayable" status, the primary advice for Mac users is one of caution and patience.
- Do Not Purchase for Immediate Play: If buying the game solely to play on your Mac in January 2026, you should reconsider. The likelihood of a successful launch is extremely low.
- Monitor Official Channels: The only path to guaranteed compatibility is a native macOS port. Follow the developer LawrenceDev on platforms like X (Twitter), their Steam community page, or official website for any announcements regarding Mac support.
- Track Compatibility Tool Updates: The open-source community behind Proton and tools like Whisky is constantly improving. While the game is unplayable now, a future update to these tools could potentially resolve the launch issue. Keep an eye on the game's page on ProtonDB (rel="nofollow") for any rating changes.
- Consider Cloud Gaming (with caveats): A potential, albeit imperfect, workaround is a cloud gaming service like GeForce NOW or Boosteroid, provided Never Immortal is added to their library. This streams the game from a Windows PC to your Mac. Success depends on the service supporting the title, having a stable high-speed internet connection, and your tolerance for potential latency.
- Utilize Steam's Refund Policy: If you purchase the game and find it will not launch on your Mac, you can request a refund through Steam, provided your playtime is under two hours and the request is made within 14 days of purchase. This is a safe fallback option.
Conclusion and 2026 Recommendation
Never Immortal represents a clear case of a new Windows-only release that has not yet bridged the gap to the macOS ecosystem. As of February 2026, the game is not recommended for Mac users who intend to play it in the immediate future. The "Unplayable" status is well-documented and consistent across user reports.
The recommendation is to wait and watch. Add the game to your Steam wishlist to receive notifications. A change in status would require one of two events: an official macOS port from LawrenceDev, or a significant breakthrough in compatibility layers that specifically addresses this game's technical hurdles. Until either of those occurs, Mac gamers should direct their attention to the many excellent titles that are fully compatible with Apple Silicon. Investing time or money into Never Immortal on Mac in its current state is likely to lead to frustration.
