OS X: Witcher 2 Mac Settings?

[Philalbe]

Hi. Last night (I'm sure like many others) I downloaded "The Witcher 2" from the Mac App Store. I'm using a 2012 Mac mini with 8GB ram and a 1920 x 1200 Asus monitor. I notice by default the game wants to use my monitors native resolution (or something close to it). This results in awesome looking graphics but very laggy performance even when specs are set to medium. I tried experimenting with other resolutions which helps with the smoothness of gameplay but sometimes made things look a little off (fat or stretched) maybe it's in my head I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good resolution. Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Phil

[sjz88]

How about setting specs to low? Witcher 2 is pretty demanding!

[Philalbe]

Originally Posted by sjz88

How about setting specs to low? Witcher 2 is pretty demanding!

Hi. Thanks for the response!

I agree...it is quite demanding. I think I found some settings that work for me though. I set the rez down to 1200x800 and put the settings back up to high and surprisingly it's running pretty smooth. Much shorter load times too. I was even able to leave "motion blur" enabled, althought I must admit it makes me feel kind of seasick

[sjz88]

Does it still look good that way? Have you tried leaving the native resolution on and setting the specs to low?
I assume the graphics still look good on low specs and it might run smoothly and look better at the same time.

[Dirtyharry50]

Originally Posted by sjz88

Does it still look good that way? Have you tried leaving the native resolution on and setting the specs to low?
I assume the graphics still look good on low specs and it might run smoothly and look better at the same time.

Generally speaking when it comes to games, leaving settings higher but reducing resolution results in the best looking display with improved performance - less pixels to push. If I am running something very demanding, the first thing I would do is try reduced resolution before tweaking much else except perhaps something like complex shadows in a game. I would not expect The Witcher 2 to run at native resolution on my 27" 2011 iMac with a 6970m GPU. I am much more likely to have a good experience maybe trying 1080p with settings turned up as much as I can get away with. I know my system is different but the basic idea here is the same.

[sjz88]

I'll install the Game when my new iMac gets here on tuesday. I'll report from my experiences with the 680mx. I'll definitely give it a try in the native res with settings high.

[Philalbe]

Originally Posted by sjz88

Does it still look good that way? Have you tried leaving the native resolution on and setting the specs to low?
I assume the graphics still look good on low specs and it might run smoothly and look better at the same time.

Hi. The graphics still look good. It's probably because despite the lower resolution I still have the specs on high. The only difference I see, and it could be my imagination, is that with the lower resolution I might be able to notice some "jaggies" on characters during gameplay. The cinematics seem to look identical despite the lower rez.

I haven't tried playing at the native rez with low specs yet. I think I was afraid that with the specs on low, I might lose too much of the atmospheric touches like light and shadows, etc.

[Philalbe]

I should mention on a humorous note, that despite spec or resolution settings there are some odd graphical glitches I noticed. At the beginning of the game the Witcher is supposed to be in a tent getting it on with his woman, when he's suddenly interrupted by a guard. The only thing is the tent is non existent. So it looks like the Witcher is having sex out in the open with a creepy guard miming pulling back a curtain.

On a less humorous note there's also odd little things like bushes that look partially composed of black blocks and now and then an annoying pink screen flicker (in fairness that one may have something to do with my monitor).

[Renzatic]

Originally Posted by Philalbe

I haven't tried playing at the native rez with low specs yet. I think I was afraid that with the specs on low, I might lose too much of the atmospheric touches like light and shadows, etc.

Honestly, it doesn't look that much different. You do lose some definition and atmospheric effects, but the gulf in quality isn't so big they look like two entirely different games. Case in point...





The top is ultra quality, the bottom low.

[antonis]

Originally Posted by Philalbe

Hi. Thanks for the response!

I agree...it is quite demanding. I think I found some settings that work for me though. I set the rez down to 1200x800 and put the settings back up to high and surprisingly it's running pretty smooth. Much shorter load times too. I was even able to leave "motion blur" enabled, althought I must admit it makes me feel kind of seasick

I'm downloading it now, too, and wondering of the performance (on iMac mid 2010 though). Generally, if you reduce the resolution, you should always choose one with the same aspect ratio as your monitor's native (e.g. 16:9, 4:3 etc). Choosing a resolution with a different aspect ratio will result in one of the cases below:

1. black lines on screen borders (which is the good case)
2. stretched graphics (which is worst but also more rare as well)

[ee13lbp]

Originally Posted by Philalbe

Wow! So it looks good and plays well on your 2010 iMac? I wonder why I'm getting so many graphical glitches on my 2012 Mac mini? Maybe it has something to do with the mini's intel graphics card? Despite the cards relative power, maybe it's just not fully compatible? The funny thing is during parts that take place in dungeons or caves the graphical glitches go away

Have you tried playing in bootcamp? If there is incompatibility with the hd4000 on OSX it will probably not occur on windows.

And yes, the mini is definitely not a gaming machine, but it has one very nifty trick up its sleeve and that is the size of it. I always set it under the tv (in less than 5 mins) and I am able to play games at better graphics and resolution a than my ps3

[Philalbe]

Originally Posted by ee13lbp

Have you tried playing in bootcamp? If there is incompatibility with the hd4000 on OSX it will probably not occur on windows.

And yes, the mini is definitely not a gaming machine, but it has one very nifty trick up its sleeve and that is the size of it. I always set it under the tv (in less than 5 mins) and I am able to play games at better graphics and resolution a than my ps3

Trying it via bootcamp is a good idea. I wonder if the game is simply "wrapped" and still contains .exe commands?

I also like the idea of using the mini as a console. I never tried hooking it up to HDTV, but that would be awesome...especially with a wireless controller

[imacken]

One thing I like is that all my save games from the PC version can just be copied across and work in the Mac version!

[antonis]

I've noticed that after a random amount of play time, the sound will just stop.
Quitting and relaunching the game, will bring sound back, until it happens again after a while.

Anyone else having this issue or any workaround ?

[Philalbe]

Originally Posted by antonis

I've noticed that after a random amount of play time, the sound will just stop.
Quitting and relaunching the game, will bring sound back, until it happens again after a while.

Anyone else having this issue or any workaround ?

I experienced that issue right out the gate. First time I played, the sound cut out after a few minutes. Did the same as you; closed it out and relaunched and everything was fine. I've read of it happening to a couple of others too. Not sure if there's a permanent fix? Are you experiencing any weird graphical glitches?

[speedylomeli]

Originally Posted by Philalbe

Hi. Last night (I'm sure like many others) I downloaded "The Witcher 2" from the Mac App Store. I'm using a 2012 Mac mini with 8GB ram and a 1920 x 1200 Asus monitor. I notice by default the game wants to use my monitors native resolution (or something close to it). This results in awesome looking graphics but very laggy performance even when specs are set to medium. I tried experimenting with other resolutions which helps with the smoothness of gameplay but sometimes made things look a little off (fat or stretched) maybe it's in my head I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good resolution. Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Phil

So here is the deal.....Buy a cheap 500 dollar PC and play it at near max quality. I know you want to play it on you shiny looking mac mini, but it just plain suçks..... or just buy yourself a 4000 Mac Pro. I would suggest the earlier because why would anyone spend 4000 g's just for 1 game.

[ee13lbp]

Originally Posted by speedylomeli

So here is the deal.....Buy a cheap 500 dollar PC and play it at near max quality. I know you want to play it on you shiny looking mac mini, but it just plain suçks..... or just buy yourself a 4000 Mac Pro. I would suggest the earlier because why would anyone spend 4000 g's just for 1 game.

Not all of us are gaming supremacists who accept nothing but max settings. I play most games on medium, some even high, and I'm completely happy with the performance of the Mac mini in terms of games. Playing games a couple of settings lower than a similarity priced custom pc is, for me, a fine trade off for something I far more enjoy using on a day to day basis when I'm NOT playing games.