Breaking the 64-bit Barrier Again! Shadowrun Returns is Here!

 Shadowrun Returns is Back!

    Shadowrun Returns is a game developed by Hairbrained Schemes.  The game is a roleplaying game set in a futuristic Seattle, Washington in which the main player character plays a Shadowrunner, a mercernary for hire who performs computer hacking, assassinations, and other deeds for various Employers in this futuristic Cyberpunk setting.  The game combines cyberpunk and fantasy genres as in this future world of the 2050s, there have also appeared mutants comparable to Elves, Orcs, and Dwarves from Norse Mythology or Dungeons & Dragons.  The game is famous for finding its funding through a Kickstarter fundraising campaign.

    The game is available for purchase on GOG.com and Steam.  It worked for a while on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, until Apple introduced what I refer to as the "64-bit barrier" in which only applications encoded in 64-bit architecture will actually run on Mac OS Operating Systems, beginning with Mac OS Catalina.  As Shadowrun Returns is a 32-bit Application, it will not run on Mac OS operating systems, Or Will It?  

 

Codeweavers Crossover

How to Break the 64-Bit Barrier on Mac OS!

    The game runs fine on Windows and Linux for the moment through the Steam or GOG.com versions.  As neither Windows nor Linux have the same retroactive "64-bit barrier" that Mac OS currently has, unless you are running an application pre Mac OS Catalina!  But is it possible to emulate Windows?  There are multiple ways to run Windows Applications.  In today's article, I am going to show you how to do it with Codeweavers Crossover!  Just like the other options including VMWare™ Fusion, Parallels Desktop, and Porting Kit, Codeweavers Crossover emulates a Virtual Windows Machine within Mac OS or Linux to run applications native to Windows Operating Systems!

    With Shadowrun, this is rather easy as it runs in a Steam Bottle Properly Installed within Codeweavers Crossover.  In order to Install Steam Correctly, you should install Steam as a Windows 10, 64-bit Bottle on Codeweavers Crossover.  After the initial installation, you should install Core Fonts, DirectX For Modern Games, DXVK, and so on into Steam.  Other Installations are needed for other games, such as The Bethesda Audio Override if you are trying to run a Bethesda game such as Elder Scrolls or Fallout within Steam

   

For the Basics of Installing Steam in Video Form, check out this Video I made on the subject

 

            

    After Installing Steam, make sure that no Advanced Options are checked off on the Steam Bottle.  You may have activated advanced options for other Games meant for Direct X 11 or DXVK, such as Halo : The Master Chief Collection, or Mad Max.  The Advanced Options Panel should appear like this:

    With that finished, Shadowrun and all it's custom campaigns available on Steam, are yours to play!

     

    With all of these steps completed, you should have a great time playing Shadowrun Returns on Codeweavers Crossover!  In conclusion, I would like to invite you to check out the Forums on Codeweavers.  Entries for various apps have forums and Tips for getting the Applications to work!  If you are available to actively test and rate the compatibility of various Applications on Codeweavers Crossover, you may want to consider becoming a Bettertester!  As a Bettertester, you regularly test Apps and can be rewarded with Bettertester Points to buy merchandise or even extended subscriptions to Crossover, saving money you would need for renewing your subscription!

 

    You can follow additional guides for getting Windows applications running on Mac OS over here on my blog : Radio Kaos.  You can also follow additional instructional video guides on my YouTube Playlist, Kaos Tutorials.  Kaos Tutorials episodes are also available on the Rumble Channel of the same name.

      Work on my Channel and Blog can be supported over on My Tip Jar or My Merch Store on StreamLabs.  I also have a Store on TeeSpring.  You can make a donation with a suggestion in the notes and/or subject of the donation over on CashApp.  No amount for this donation with a suggestion is too small or too great! I can also be followed on Patreon or Locals for early and exclusive access to certain videos.  Now, in conclusion of this article, "Be safe out there and I will be signing off!"