
Seven months after CD Projekt Red declared Cyberpunk 2077’s development officially concluded, the neon-lit streets of Night City have once again flickered to life. With Update 2.3, the game not only receives a substantial injection of new content but also makes its long-awaited debut on macOS, marking a surprising and symbolic milestone in its tumultuous journey.
Back in early 2024, CD Projekt Red confirmed that no developers remained assigned to Cyberpunk 2077, effectively ending its post-launch support. The studio had shifted its focus to upcoming projects like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk Orion, leaving fans to assume that Update 2.12 was the final curtain call.
Yet, in a move that defies conventional studio roadmaps, Update 2.3 was developed in collaboration with Virtuous, a support studio known for high-profile ports and technical enhancements. This partnership allowed CDPR to deliver a polished and content-rich update without diverting internal resources—an elegant workaround that speaks volumes about modern game development’s evolving ecosystem.
Perhaps the most headline-worthy aspect of Update 2.3 is the official release of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on macOS, five years after its original launch. Optimized for Apple Silicon, the Mac version supports:
- MetalFX Upscaling and path tracing for enhanced visuals
- Spatial Audio with AirPods support
- Cross-progression across platforms
- “For this Mac” presets tailored to each Apple Silicon model
This release is more than a technical port—it’s a statement. It signals Apple’s growing relevance in the AAA gaming space and CDPR’s willingness to embrace new platforms, even for a title they once considered “done.”
Here are the official macOS system requirements and recommended specs for running Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Apple Silicon Macs:
Cyberpunk 2077 macOS Requirements
Tier | Chip | RAM | Resolution & FPS | Ray Tracing |
---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum | M1 | 16 GB | 1440×900 or 1600×900 @ 30 FPS | Not supported |
Recommended | M3 Pro | 18 GB | 1920×1080 @ 60 FPS | Medium (1080p @ 30 FPS) |
High Fidelity | M2 Ultra / M3 Max | 36 GB | 2560×1440 @ 60 FPS | Medium (1080p @ 30 FPS) |
Very High Fidelity | M3 Ultra / M4 Max | 36 GB | 2560×1440 @ 60 FPS | Medium (1080p @ 60 FPS) |
- Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store: 92 GB
- Mac App Store: 159 GB (includes all voiceovers)
If you’re planning to play on a MacBook Air or older M-series chip, make sure you’ve upgraded the RAM to meet the minimum threshold. Want help crafting a performance guide or visual comparison for your blog? I’d be happy to help.
What’s New in Update 2.3?
Update 2.3 isn’t just a compatibility patch—it’s a full-fledged content drop that expands gameplay, customization, and immersion:
Vehicles & AutoDrive
- Four new vehicles, including the game’s first customizable motorcycle
- AutoDrive feature lets players enjoy hands-free travel with cinematic camera angles
- Delamain self-driving cabs now summonable on demand
Photo Mode Enhancements
- 27 new NPCs for staging shots
- Outfit switching for V and NPCs
- New filters, stickers, and weather/time controls for dynamic photography
Technical Upgrades
- Support for AMD FSR 4.0, Intel XeSS 2.0, and HDR10+ Gaming
- Expanded save file size and improved controller support
- Quality-of-life tweaks like replayable tutorials and bug fixes
The irony of this update lies in its timing. CD Projekt Red had already moved on, with zero developers assigned to Cyberpunk 2077 as of April 2024. Yet, here we are—celebrating new quests, vehicles, and features in a game that was supposedly “complete.”
This paradox raises compelling questions: Is a game ever truly finished in the age of live service and community engagement? Can external studios like Virtuous extend a title’s lifespan beyond its internal expiration date?
Cyberpunk 2077’s journey has been anything but linear. From its disastrous launch to its redemption arc through Phantom Liberty, and now this unexpected encore, the game continues to defy expectations, so in other words, Update 2.3 isn’t just a patch—it’s a testament to resilience, collaboration, and the evolving nature of game preservation. And for Mac users, it’s a long-overdue invitation to explore one of the most ambitious RPGs of the decade.