Will Norland Be Available for Mac? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re a Mac user eagerly anticipating the release of Norland, you might be wondering whether you’ll get to play this medieval strategy game without switching to a Windows PC. Norland has been gaining a lot of attention for its complex mix of family politics, kingdom management, and warfare.
However, as of now, the game is officially only available for Windows through Steam, and there’s no native Mac version planned in the near future.
While that’s a bit disappointing for Mac gamers, there are still ways to play Norland on macOS if you don’t mind a few technical hoops.
No Official Mac Version (Yet)
The development team at Long Jaunt hasn’t made an official native macOS version of Norland a priority, at least for now. During its Early Access period, which began in July 2024, the team is laser-focused on refining the core game mechanics, improving stability, and introducing new features for its Windows audience.
From what I’ve gathered from their updates and community posts, the Mac user base isn’t large enough to justify the additional resources and testing required to build a separate Mac version at this stage.
The reality is that building for multiple platforms adds a significant amount of work, and indie studios like Long Jaunt need to pick their battles carefully.
Given the complexity of Norland’s intricate AI systems, dynamic storytelling, and the sheer number of calculations required for its medieval simulation, it’s understandable why they’re starting with just the Windows platform.
That said, there’s no hard “no” from the developers when it comes to a potential future Mac version. Many games, especially strategy-heavy titles like Crusader Kings III and RimWorld, have made their way to Mac after their initial PC releases.
However, don’t expect any official announcements about a Mac version until after Norland leaves Early Access—likely in 2025 or later.
Workarounds for Playing Norland on Mac
The good news is, if you’re a Mac gamer and really eager to play Norland now, you don’t have to wait for an official Mac release. There are ways to get the game running on your macOS system, even though it wasn’t built with Mac in mind.
The most popular method is using CrossOver, a program that allows you to run Windows games on macOS by translating Windows instructions into something your Mac can understand, without the need to install a full Windows OS.
Using CrossOver to Run Norland
CrossOver is a version of Wine, a compatibility layer that has been around for years, making it easier to run Windows software on both Mac and Linux. For Norland, Mac users have reported that CrossOver is a reliable way to play the game.
It’s not without its quirks—minor graphical issues like missing cutscenes or frame rate dips have been noted—but overall, it runs well enough to offer a smooth gameplay experience.
The setup is fairly straightforward. Here’s how to get Norland running on Mac using CrossOver:
Download and Install CrossOver: CrossOver offers a free trial, which is a good way to test it before fully committing to a purchase.
Install Norland: Once you have CrossOver set up, you can download Norland through Steam, just like you would on a Windows machine.
Tweak Settings (If Necessary): Depending on your Mac’s specifications, you might need to adjust some settings to optimize performance. Some users with older Macs or non-M1 chips may experience more graphical issues than those with newer hardware.
The best part is, you don’t need to partition your hard drive or dual-boot Windows—CrossOver runs everything within macOS. As someone who’s used CrossOver for other games, I can say it’s surprisingly easy to set up, especially compared to more involved solutions like Boot Camp.
Alternatives: Boot Camp and Virtual Machines
If CrossOver isn’t delivering the performance you want, there are other options, though they’re more resource-intensive. Boot Camp allows you to install Windows on a separate partition of your Mac’s hard drive, giving you a true Windows environment to play games like Norland.
While this offers better performance than CrossOver, it requires you to reboot your Mac every time you want to switch between macOS and Windows.
Another solution is using virtual machines (VMs), which allow you to run Windows within macOS, but this is even more resource-heavy and can cause significant slowdowns, especially when playing a game as complex as Norland.
Why Mac Support Might Happen Eventually
Although an official Mac version isn’t in the pipeline right now, it’s not completely off the table. Once the game moves out of Early Access, there’s always the possibility of a Mac port if there’s enough demand.
Many indie developers start on PC before expanding to other platforms, and the success of other strategy games on Mac could push Long Jaunt to consider it. Games like Civilization VI, Stellaris, and Crusader Kings III all found homes on Mac, despite initially launching on Windows.
The rise of M1 and M2 Macs has also increased the potential for Mac gaming, as these machines are powerful enough to run many games that used to struggle on older Mac hardware.
If Long Jaunt notices a growing interest from the Mac community, they might prioritize development for macOS once the game’s core features are solidified.
Conclusion: A Game for Windows—But Not Without Options for Mac
While Norland doesn’t have an official Mac version at the moment, Mac users aren’t entirely out of luck. Thanks to CrossOver, you can still dive into the game and experience its intricate family dynamics and strategic warfare without needing a Windows PC. T
he setup is relatively painless, and for most players, the game runs smoothly enough to enjoy, despite a few minor graphical hiccups.
If you’re willing to experiment with CrossOver or more involved solutions like Boot Camp, there’s no reason you can’t start playing Norland on your Mac today. And who knows? With enough interest, maybe Long Jaunt will consider bringing a native version to Mac in the future.
For now, if you’re a Mac user itching to rule a medieval kingdom, CrossOver might just be the bridge you need to make it happen.