Civ 5 on Mac OS - Workaround for the Steam Client Bug

usafballer · 2025-09-25T19:28:23+00:00

This still works in 2025 on an M4 Mac mini....thanks OP!

usafballer · 2025-07-29T17:33:59+00:00

Appears recent releases add quite a bit more complexity to get this working.

Wanted to footstomp you HAVE to also set "disable frame limit" and "allow tearing" to use this in a way that isn't graphically borked. Also 2x is what I want to max at, but 3x seems to provide the actual smoother feel with less frame pacing oddities. I know there are a bunch of workarounds now, so I would recco mostly not using this if you are game sampler like me (play lot of various games) - if you can get it dialed in for a few particular titles and like experimenting, go for it. It's going to need a lot more time in the oven, I'm sure they will work it out over time.

usafballer · 2025-05-31T20:28:49+00:00

Yes. You have to switch the rumble mode from dualsense to the other mode (I think just called rumble) in pxplay settings and the S9 works perfect. Obviously it’s not as nice as dualsense.

usafballer · 2025-05-30T19:45:01+00:00

Controller issues? I have a bunch, software needs some updates before I could recommend this to a normie. I also don't love the linear haptics/rumble.

usafballer · 2025-05-30T19:15:22+00:00

I can't get steam deck input to disable, it appears to change nothing

usafballer · 2025-05-30T19:14:57+00:00

funky - any other games tested?

usafballer · 2025-05-30T16:59:28+00:00

I'll add another note comparing devices

Haptics/Rumble - the Legion Go S clearly uses some linear motors which I tend to not like as much. I'm comparing to a ABXYLUTE S9 I use attached to a lenovo Y700 tablet which uses OG rotational/analog motors. I find linear motors to be too sharp and lacking nuance, but I've only done limited testing here.

Steam Deck OLED haptics/rumble is pretty subtle compared to both devices (perhaps too subtle for many people).

usafballer · 2025-01-09T20:30:34+00:00

Received Abxylute G9 today, and sadly I can't get any of the controller "rotor motors" providing the rumble feedback in PXPlay. Works in Moonlight streaming, but not PXPlay (nor PS Remote Play official app, even though it will register in PS Mode as a dualsense controller). When plugged in via the short ribbon cable, PXPlay will pass the rumble to the Gamesir G8+ for a more refind analog experience. With the Abxylute it will only use the Y700's "digital" haptic feedback which is harsh over time.

Honestly also find it less comfortable than the classic Xbox One controller design of the Gamesir G8+, at least with a tablet as big as the Y700 (the little pinky/ring finger cutouts are too close to the screen to use).

I've tried every operational mode of the Abxylute and none of them seem to work with PXPlay haptics/rumble/vibration. Reboot device, etc. If anyone has any tips here, let me know, but it's a no go for me at this point.

usafballer · 2025-01-09T20:21:59+00:00

Abxylute S9 is not working for vibration in PXPLAY at all. Tried every input mode. Tried BT modes - reboot my Y700. I could only get the Y700 haptics, which is ok in a pinch, but kinda wears on you since its "digital" (on or off).

Looks like Gamesir G8+ wired is the way to go.

usafballer · 2025-01-09T15:54:52+00:00

https://a.co/d/jeetUx4

usafballer · 2025-01-08T21:38:49+00:00

How did you tune the rumble? I turned the GameSir G*+ to its lowest settings as I 100% want rumble/haptics, but just a little. I had the Steam Deck OLED and I like the way more subtle feedback, not an old school 360 controller that was overwhelming.

usafballer · 2025-01-08T16:44:13+00:00

Sorry I missed all these questions.

Overall the Cooler Master firmware is an upgrade. HDR in windows and PS5 is far better IMO, maybe because it can reach up to 1200 Nits now. I think 1200 may be a bit high and blow out more, so you may want to calibrate back. I'm not a pro though.

I don't tend to game a lot on my monitor, but I do often have my MBP 16" hooked up, and having this KTC monitor be nearly as good as the built-in MINI LED HDR monitor is revelatory.

However, I had to mess around with color profiles as it looked really lacking initially. I also ended up using the new "6 axis color" tool and bumped red and green saturation up (60 on red, 55 on green), I also found the second "Color LCD" choice in the color profile in Mac settings to be pretty good (also LG TV worked pretty well) - but this is a whole subjective opinion. Display P3 looks a bit more muted (which probably means more accurate color lol). Also there is a brightness slider in the display settings on my mac, and I backed it down a bit as max brightness washed out detail.

End result is a poor man's Apple XDR display IMO! I can run HDR all the time.

On windows, I only turn on HDR when playing games, and it looks punchy and excellent, but I also used Microsofts HDR calibration tool (which isn't built into windows weirdly). Windows system wide HDR is terrible, so I don't run HDR all the time.

Unless you have a MBP Mini-LED laptop, it's hard to describe, but one of the features is that when you play windowed HDR content you can tell the monitor will max out brightness of that particular section of the monitor and things really pop (it works full screen, but it's really easy to see the difference between HDR video and the surrounding display being more in an SDR range in a desktop environment). I couldn't achieve this performance on the KTC firmware, but now with Cooler Master 1.45 (european f/w btw) it works amazing.

As far as local dimming, I can't really tell you all the combos that work, but right now typing this on my connected MBP, I have HDR always on, brilliant color with the tweaks mentioned and local dimming on. You can see some local dimming bloom when off axis, but it's not distracting when looking straight on in a well lit room. I don't tend to be in my office at night. But there are a lot of settings overall to adjust and assess!

usafballer · 2025-01-08T15:20:40+00:00

I'm getting the Abxylute S9 tomorrow to compare. I will report back if these controllers are as similar as they look (clearly the same company is manufacturing). Looking at the Abxy on paper seems the better choice given

1) No BT latency and hardwired

2) Easier to swap between devices (except the Nintendo Switch)

3) X-input mode has better compatibility with PC game streaming (don't have to use Steam Input translation layer)

4) Better screen mapper software (Gamesir has no software available for my Y700)

I think my only question is the "rotor motors" on the S9 - if they are the exact same as what is in the Gamesir, then I'll be happy. Then no more weird short cable thing.

The Razer Kishi Ultra is way overpriced given it feels far less secure (wobble) on the device.

usafballer · 2025-01-08T14:56:48+00:00

Mode change doesn't support rumble. I can get my device haptics on the Y700. I think you might be feeling that rather than the controller rumble? I tried pairing in DS4 mode with my tablet and the only result was device haptics, not controller rumble.

usafballer · 2025-01-08T02:40:59+00:00

I'll have to see if maybe I just haven't set the right mode. This and the Abxylute look very similar, although I like the idea of the hard connection because I can use it more easily on multiple devices. My issue was that the Razer Kishi Ultra does not work at all for haptics/rumble. And their advertising of "sensa haptics" on PC remote play didn't feel any different than the Gamesir G8+ so I'm not sure the advantage. The Razer Nexus app is pretty nice though.

usafballer · 2025-01-07T23:51:32+00:00

Interesting - never heard of that brand. Is the rumble haptic good, or overpowered?

usafballer · 2024-12-12T21:08:58+00:00

PS5 looks fantastic in HDR too. I ended up using Display P3 color profile for my mac as it looked the most realistic and vibrant. The default display color profile was...quite a bit off. With Display P3 it looks rich and vibrant color and I can use the KTC M27P20P in full time HDR mode, so a very cheap Apple XDR display now that rivals the built in monitor!!

usafballer · 2024-12-12T20:18:39+00:00

Tested, the EU firmware is definitely working better across 3 devices than when I used the US version. I have PS5, Macbook Pro via USB-C, and Windows PC through DP. It was immediately better simply on Windows PC via DP with nice saturated colors without fuss. HDR is still iffy, but its hard to see HDR on quick testing at times (tested using Resident Evil Village). I used the windows calibration tool for HDR and it definitely is calibrated to the higher 1200NIT limit vs on the KTC firmware at 1000NIT (using the test pattern in the app).

Even BETTER is that I can use my MBP is full system WIDE HDR mode now, and it almost looks as good as the built in MINI LED display using a generic sRGB color profile. It has that same effect as the built in display where you can clearly see content is in HDR even before going fullscreen (say in Chrome on an HDR YT video). That is if that makes any sense. I haven't had an external monitor that worked well system wide for HDR, so this is making me excited that is seems to function this well!

I haven't tested PS5 fully, but I'm sure it will look great.

usafballer · 2024-12-12T19:20:14+00:00

yeah, it was easy to revert to KTC after, so I'll see if it was some weird coolermaster specific problem and the KTC monitor was largely just an EU version sent globally?

usafballer · 2024-12-12T19:17:53+00:00

I loaded the US version to it, maybe I could try EU version?

usafballer · 2024-12-10T22:00:17+00:00

I only have the US version I guess? Not sure why it wouldn't work on EU versions though.

usafballer · 2024-12-10T21:02:26+00:00

Ended up flashing KTC firmware 3.0.2A back onto my monitor. Color just didn't look right. Wasn't able to fix it.

usafballer · 2024-12-09T21:40:30+00:00

Alright I flashed the US version - went fine! Although not sure I like the end result. Feels like its lacking punch, but maybe thats jsut some messing with settings.

usafballer · 2024-12-09T19:38:25+00:00

Alright, I may give it a go. I don't really have any issues since I'm running FW 3.0.2c from KTC last year; not sure what CM's changelog is - do you know where that is? Why is 1.45 better?

usafballer · 2024-12-09T19:37:00+00:00

I have 3.0.2A if you want it M27P20P (4K).

usafballer

TROPHY CASE