Whisky No Longer Updated; A Shift to CodeWeavers’ CrossOver
Whisky, a popular interface designed for Wine’s Windows compatibility solutions on macOS, has officially ceased updates. This announcement has left many in the macOS gaming community concerned, given Whisky’s reputation as a valuable tool. Its developer, Isaac Marovitz, encourages users to consider switching to CodeWeavers’ CrossOver as a viable alternative.
The Developer’s Perspective
Isaac Marovitz, an 18-year-old student at Northeastern University, shared insights with Ars Technica about the challenges of balancing his academic responsibilities with development projects. He revealed that Whisky had been in a stagnant state for several months prior to his announcement, largely due to the influx of queries concerning its continued viability.
Why Whisky is Discontinued
Marovitz addressed concerns surrounding the impact of Whisky on the Wine community, stating that it has not contributed positively to the overall ecosystem. In light of this, he suggested that users transition to obtaining a license for CrossOver, emphasizing that Whisky’s contribution to Wine’s progress is negligible.
Development Challenges
Marovitz’s development experience extends to noteworthy projects like the now-defunct Switch emulator Ryujinx and PlayCover. His observations indicate that resolving issues related to running Mac games through Wine requires expertise in multiple fields, including C programming and macOS development. This knowledge is limited among developers, making progress difficult.
Community Feedback and Future Prospects
In his correspondence, Marovitz mentioned having informal discussions with CodeWeavers during the development of Whisky. It became evident that his project could pose a challenge to CrossOver’s sustainability, leading to further considerations regarding community dynamics. Marovitz confirmed that he has shifted focus away from Whisky with a sense of closure.
Response from CodeWeavers
James B. Ramey, CEO of CodeWeavers, acknowledged Whisky’s discontinuation on the company’s blog, commending Marovitz for his efforts. Ramey noted that Whisky operated as a free variant of an open-source project, produced by individuals dedicated to enhancing user experiences. He highlighted the challenges faced by Marovitz in meeting high user expectations pertaining to game compatibility and performance.
Community Recognition
Ramey underscored the potential consequences of CrossOver’s instability, stating that it would adversely affect the broader Wine and Proton development landscape, especially regarding macOS gaming support. In conclusion, he expressed admiration for Marovitz’s contributions, recognizing the impact Whisky had on the macOS gaming community.
Conclusion
With Whisky no longer actively maintained and a clear shift towards supporting CrossOver, macOS gamers are urged to adapt to the changes in the tool landscape. As both options reflect passionate efforts from their developers, transitioning may provide continued access to Windows gaming experiences on macOS.