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How to play IXION on Mac

Indie / Simulation / Strategy · 2022

Best played by streaming from the cloud via GeForce NOW.

Overall rating: Runs great on Mac · 100% of 1 players say it runs well

Your setup
Detect your Mac to see whether IXION will run.

Best played by streaming from the cloud via GeForce NOW.

How to run IXION on your Mac in 2026

Best path: GeForce NOW

GeForce NOW streams IXION from an RTX-class GPU straight to your Mac — high-refresh play with nothing to install locally.

MethodQualityDifficultyCost
GeForce NOWPickEstimateEasyFree / $9.99 /moGet it ↗
ParallelsEstimateMedium$99/yrGet it ↗
BoosteroidEstimateEasy$9.95 /moGet it ↗

Heads up: GeForce NOW streams the game but doesn't include a copy — you'll still need to own IXION on a supported store (AllKeyShop).

IXION

IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?

While IXION is technically playable via CrossOver with High-end Apple Silicon, cloud streaming via Boosteroid provides the most stable and high-fidelity experience without stressing the hardware.

IXION screenshot 1IXION screenshot 2IXION screenshot 3IXION screenshot 4IXION screenshot 5IXION screenshot 6

What the world thinks

IXION can run locally via CrossOver, but results vary based on your specific Apple Silicon chip.

  1. Install CrossOver 24+.
  2. Create a new bottle and install the Steam platform.
  3. Enable D3DMetal (GPTK) and Msync in the bottle settings for the best performance.
  4. Install and launch IXION from your Steam library.
  5. Note: Users on M1/M2 base chips may experience significant FPS drops in late-game sectors once the station becomes densely populated.

Performance

How IXION runs on your Mac, from our performance model and player reports.

See exactly how IXION will run on your Mac

Pick your chip and RAM for a personalised estimate.

Best way to play it on Mac

While IXION is technically playable via CrossOver with High-end Apple Silicon, cloud streaming via Boosteroid provides the most stable and high-fidelity experience without stressing the hardware.

See if this is the right method for your setup

Ways to play IXION on Mac

Boosteroid and GeForce NOW are also available for cloud performance on a strong connection.

Compare methods at a glance

Lower = better

How each supported method stacks up on setup effort, time and runtime overhead.

  • GeForce NOWCloudTop pick
    Setup
    Simple
    Time
    5 min
    Overhead
    Low
  • BoosteroidCloud
    Setup
    Simple
    Time
    5 min
    Overhead
    Low
  • ParallelsVM
    Setup
    Moderate
    Time
    30 min
    Overhead
    High

Where to buy IXION

Live prices compared across trusted PC key sellers — updates every few hours.

Platform-by-platform reliability

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Step-by-step setup guides

Idiot-proof walkthroughs for every method.

How to run IXION on Mac with GeForce NOW

Estimate· Streaming

Streaming IXION through GeForce NOW is the fastest way to start playing on a Mac — there's nothing to install, no Windows VM, no compatibility layer. The game runs on a remote GPU and your Mac just receives the video, which means even a base M1 MacBook Air can play the most demanding AAA titles at high settings. The tradeoff is that you need a stable internet connection (ideally wired or 5GHz Wi-Fi with 25+ Mbps down) and a subscription.

Step-by-step

  1. Sign up at GeForce NOW. The free tier works; Ultimate gives 4K/120fps.
  2. Download the GeForce NOW Mac app (Apple Silicon native).
  3. Link your Steam / Epic / Xbox account that owns IXION.
  4. Search the title in the app and click Play.

Video proof

Start playing on GeForce NOWAffiliate link — supports the site at no extra cost.

How to run IXION on Mac with Parallels

Estimate· Compatibility

Using Parallels to play IXION means running a full copy of Windows 11 ARM inside macOS. This is the most "it just works" approach for games that don't behave under CrossOver, and DirectX 11 is hardware-accelerated. You'll need a Windows license and roughly 80 GB of disk space.

Step-by-step

  1. Buy / start a trial of Parallels Desktop.
  2. Install Windows 11 ARM via the one-click wizard.
  3. Inside Windows, install Steam / Xbox app and IXION.
  4. Enable DirectX 11 in Parallels settings for best 3D performance.

Video proof

Try Parallels Desktop freeAffiliate link — supports the site at no extra cost.

How to run IXION on Mac with Boosteroid

Estimate· Streaming

Streaming IXION through Boosteroid is the fastest way to start playing on a Mac — there's nothing to install, no Windows VM, no compatibility layer. The game runs on a remote GPU and your Mac just receives the video, which means even a base M1 MacBook Air can play the most demanding AAA titles at high settings. The tradeoff is that you need a stable internet connection (ideally wired or 5GHz Wi-Fi with 25+ Mbps down) and a subscription.

Step-by-step

  1. Create a Boosteroid account and pick a plan.
  2. Use the web client or download the macOS app.
  3. Add IXION from their library (you'll need to own it on Steam/Epic).

Video proof

Get BoosteroidAffiliate link — supports the site at no extra cost.

Our recommendation

For most Mac players the best way to play IXION is streaming it through GeForce NOW. Needs 25+ Mbps internet, wired ideal.

MethodQualityDifficultyCost
GeForce NOWPickEstimateEasyFree tier / $9.99+ per month
ParallelsEstimateMedium$99/year + Windows licence
BoosteroidEstimateEasy$9.95 / month
Start playing on GeForce NOW

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