Database

This is still a work in progress — some information is still missing or incomplete. Got a question? Feel free to ask in our Discord!

Playing on macOS & Linux

HempMS is a Windows game, so it does not run on macOS or Linux by itself. There are two ways to play on a Mac (Linux players: see the Linux section further down):

• A virtual machine (a "VM", Option 1 or 2 below): a window on your Mac that runs a full copy of Windows. The game, the launcher and the anti-cheat then work exactly like on a normal Windows PC. This is the most reliable way.
• A Wine app such as CrossOver or Whisky (see further down): no Windows needed, but less tested.

This works on Apple Silicon Macs (M1 to M5) and on older Intel Macs.

Option 1: Parallels Desktop (easiest)

Parallels is the smoothest way to run Windows on a Mac. It is paid software with a free trial.

1. Download and install Parallels Desktop from parallels.com.
2. On first start, Parallels offers to download and install Windows 11 for you. Accept it and wait until Windows is ready.
3. Inside Windows, open this website, go to the Download page and install HempMS like on any Windows PC.
4. Start the game with the HempMS Launcher inside Windows.

Tip: give the virtual machine at least 4 GB of memory and 2 CPU cores (Parallels: Configure > Hardware). On Apple Silicon, Windows 11 for ARM runs our game through its built-in x86 emulation - no extra setup needed.

Option 2: VMware Fusion (free)

VMware Fusion is free for personal use. Setup takes a bit more work than Parallels, and 3D performance is usually somewhat lower.

1. Download and install VMware Fusion (free personal-use license from Broadcom).
2. Download a Windows 11 disk image from Microsoft. On Apple Silicon you need the Windows 11 for ARM64 version.
3. Create a new virtual machine in Fusion from that image and install Windows.
4. Inside Windows, install HempMS from the Download page and play through the launcher.

Intel Macs: Boot Camp

On an Intel Mac you can also install Windows next to macOS with Apple's Boot Camp Assistant (in Applications > Utilities). You then choose Windows when you start your Mac and get full native performance. Boot Camp is not available on Apple Silicon Macs.

Whisky, CrossOver and Wine

You can play without installing Windows by using a Wine-based app: CrossOver (paid, free trial) or Whisky (free).

1. Create a new bottle and set it to Windows 10.
2. Download the HempMS installer from the Download page on your Mac and run it inside the bottle.
3. Make sure Wine Mono or .NET Framework 4.8 is installed in the bottle - the HempMS Guard needs it. If a window asks to install Wine Mono, click Install.
4. Start the HempMS Launcher inside the bottle and let it update all files before you start the game.

Game closes right after it starts? Run the launcher again so it can download the latest client, then try once more. A message like "Fingerprint part failed" in the log is harmless.

Linux (Steam / Proton, Lutris, Bottles)

The same Wine support works on Linux. Add the HempMS Launcher to Steam as a non-Steam game and turn on Proton (Properties > Compatibility), or use Lutris or Bottles. Install HempMS from the Download page inside that prefix and always start the game through the launcher.

Tip: do not install extra Windows components such as ie8 with winetricks/protontricks - that can stop the game from starting. Broke your prefix? Delete it (Steam: steamapps/compatdata/<appid>, back up any game files inside it first) and start the launcher again - Steam makes a fresh one.

How Wine differs from Windows (macOS and Linux)

• In-game web windows (@daily, @week, the dice board and other windows that show a web page) now open in your own browser (Safari, Firefox, Chrome...) instead of inside the game, because Wine cannot draw them in the game window. Update through the launcher to get this.
  If an empty black window still pops up in the game, just close it - the page is in your browser. You do not need to log in to the website first: the link logs you in by itself.
• The game closes right after it starts on some Wine versions.
  Try: run the launcher again so all files are up to date, and make sure Wine Mono (or .NET Framework 4.8) is installed in the prefix.

Everything else in the game works under Wine. Want zero hassle? A virtual machine with Windows (Option 1 or 2) works exactly like a Windows PC, web windows included. Found a setting that fixes something? Tell the staff on Discord so we can add it here.

Good to know

• Windows needs a license; check Microsoft's terms when you set up your virtual machine.
• Your account, characters and items are the same on every computer - you can switch between your Mac and a Windows PC any time.
• Close other heavy apps on your Mac while playing for the smoothest frame rate.

Got it working, or stuck somewhere? Let the staff know on Discord - your feedback helps other Mac players.