What’s new with Game Technologies?

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced several exciting updates and new features for game technologies:

1. Gameporting Toolkit 2:

   • Improved Compatibility: Enhanced support for technologies like AVX2 and advanced gaming features such as ray tracing, allowing developers to evaluate more Windows games on Mac.
   • Unified Metal Shaders: Developers can now compile shaders once and deploy them across macOS and iOS, simplifying the development process.
   • Debugging and Profiling: Xcode now allows debugging and profiling of original HLSL shaders at any stage of the porting process, whether evaluating the original Windows binary or the Metal version of the game.
   • Human Interface Guidelines: Expanded guidelines to help developers adapt their games for various Apple devices, ensuring a great user experience.

2. Metal API Improvements:

   • Resource Management: Enhancements to make managing Metal resources more familiar to DirectX developers.
   • Device Initialization: Unified device initialization API for macOS and iOS, making it easier to develop for both platforms.

3. Game Mode on iOS:

   • Reduced Background Activity: iOS 18 introduces game mode, which reduces background activity and Bluetooth latency, improving input and headphone responsiveness.

4. Vision Pro and Spatial Computing:

   • TabletopKit: A new framework for creating social games that work seamlessly with spatial Personas and SharePlay, integrating with frameworks like Group Activities, RealityKit, and SwiftUI.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the following sessions:

• Platforms State of the Union
• Port advanced games to Apple platforms

Relevant Sessions

1. Platforms State of the Union
2. Port advanced games to Apple platforms