How to Play Diablo 3 for Mac
Diablo 3, a title that had us spend countless hours of demon slaying, is fortunately available on macOS. However, the gaming community is always looking for alternative methods to play their favorite titles, sometimes to bypass system limitations, and other times for the sheer convenience of cloud gaming. Our team decided to compare playing the native Diablo 3 for Mac version versus streaming it through Boosteroid, and, on this page, we will share what we discovered.
Diablo 3 Mac Methods and Instructions
If you want to try out the two Diablo 3 Mac methods for yourself, here are the instructions that you need:
Natively with Blizzard (Recommended method)
You can download the Diablo 3 MacOS version via the Blizzard Battle.net desktop app, which is Blizzard’s digital distribution platform. The whole downloading process is simple and straightforward, and you don’t need any specialized software or emulators.
Follow the instructions below to install the game:
- First, you need to download and install the Blizzard Battle.net desktop app.
- Then, log into the Blizzard Battle.net desktop app.
- Click the Diablo III icon on the left side of the app.
- Click Install.
Boosteroid Cloud Gaming
Features: Constant 1080p/60 FPS; Stable connection; Low bandwidth requirements (15 MBPS); Huge gaming library with all the latest AAA titles.
Pros
- Cheapest cloud-gaming option
- Compatible with all macs
- Hardware specs don’t matter
- You can play in your browser in about 15 minutes
Cons
- Requires a good internet connection
- You need to look if the game is supported with your chosen vendor
Extras: Here’s our review of Boosteroid and our Boosteroid Games List.
Boosteroid stands out as our recommended option for Mac gamers seeking a user-friendly and visually captivating gaming experience. It’s an ideal choice for individuals who simply want to play their favorite games on their Mac without the burden of intricate configurations or demanding competitive standards. Also, this is a great way to have a smooth Diablo 3 Mac M1 and M2 experience, without worrying about hardware specifications and compatibility.
- Use the “Play with Boosteroid” button and go to the Boosteroid website. There, you need to create a new account or log in using your Google Account credentials.
- Go at the top-right corner of the screen and click on “My account”. To begin using Boosteroid, you need to activate a plan of your choice under the “My subscription” tab.
- Look for the game in the search tab on top to see which vendors Boosteroid supports. You need to own the game before you proceed with this method. Here are links to the game for different vendors: CD Keys; Blizzard
Our Diablo 3 MacOS experience with Boosteroid vs. Native macOS Version
Playing Diablo 3 on Mac with Boosteroid Cloud Gaming
When we put Boosteroid to the test with Diablo 3 on Mac, the experience was pretty spot-on at high settings. The game ran smooth at 60 frames per second in Full HD, only hiccupping a tiny bit during the intense graphics stuff. The delay clocked in at around 40-50 milliseconds—hardly noticeable and didn’t mess with the flow. It streamed like a dream, and the sharp visuals and smooth frame rates made the game feel like a real adventure. But the thing we loved the most is that Boosteroid skipped the whole download and install waiting time, so we were in for quick and hassle-free gaming.
Testing the Native Diablo 3 macOS Version
Before embarking on our journey into the Sanctuary, we needed to make sure our MacBook Pro 16-inch, equipped with an Intel Core i9 from 2019, could handle the Diablo 3 macOS version. Unlike our cloud gaming experience, where the technicalities were handled remotely, this time we had to pay attention to the game’s system requirements.
Once the checklist was ticked off, we launched the game with settings cranked up to high for that perfect blend of performance and quality. Our MacBook Pro tackled the game effortlessly, and we enjoyed a smooth 60 frame rates per second, operating at the native resolution of 3072 x 1920 (scaled down to meet the game’s demands). However, we did notice a slight dip in the frame rate in the bustling areas with a lot of effects and enemies. Despite that, the native version brought the VIP treatment – it synced seamlessly with the macOS ecosystem and offered features like native full screen mode. But, as life often goes, this privilege came with a trade-off – a bit more demand on our system resources. It was like having a front-row seat at a concert, but you might need to amp up the hardware for the best experience.
So, after testing Diablo 3 on our Mac machine, we researched into the gaming community on Reddit to find out how it runs natively on various Mac models. Here are three different Macs and their reported performance benchmarks:
| Mac Model | Settings | Resolution | Average FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Macbook Pro 16-inch baseline model | High | Native highest resolution | It does 80-90 FPS at native highest resolution, can do 100-120 FPS when anti-aliasing is turned-off. |
| 8 GB M1 Air Mac | Medium | Not specified | Hovers around 35-45 FPS, noticeable lags in intense gameplay. |
| 2020 Macbook Air M1 | High | 1080p | Consistently above 60 fps, very smooth experience even in action-packed moments. |
The Reddit community’s feedback proved the notion that performance can vary significantly across different Mac models, with newer and more powerful machines offering a far superior experience.
Conclusion
According to our tests, Boosteroid appeared as a powerful alternative for playing Diablo 3 on Mac, particularly for those who don’t have the latest Mac hardware or prefer not to burden their system with demanding games. Its high-performance streaming capabilities meant that we could enjoy the game at high settings without any significant issues.
The native macOS version also stands as a solid option, especially for those with the hardware capable of running the game smoothly. However, based on user reports from Reddit, not all Mac models are created equal, and some may struggle with maintaining consistent frame rates and resolutions. Therefore, choosing between Boosteroid and native gaming may come down to your specific hardware and preferences.
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