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This guide covers building OpenRCT2 from source on macOS using CMake.

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Prerequisites

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System Requirements

  • macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later for x86_64
  • macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or later for Apple Silicon (arm64)
  • Xcode Command Line Tools or Xcode with C++ compiler
  • Homebrew package manager

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Installing Xcode Command Line Tools

If you haven’t already: 
xcode-select --install

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Installing Homebrew

If Homebrew is not installed: 
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

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Installing Dependencies

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Using System Libraries (Homebrew)

Install build tools and dependencies: 
brew install cmake ninja pkg-config

brew install \
  sdl2 \
  libzip libpng \
  openssl@1.1 \
  freetype \
  icu4c \
  zstd

# Optional dependencies
brew install \
  flac libvorbis libogg \
  ccache
OpenRCT2 is not yet compatible with OpenSSL 3. Use openssl@1.1 specifically.
OpenRCT2 can automatically download and use pre-built universal (x86_64 + arm64) dependencies: 
brew install cmake ninja
The CMake configuration will handle the rest when MACOS_USE_DEPENDENCIES=ON (default).

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Building OpenRCT2

1

Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/OpenRCT2/OpenRCT2.git
cd OpenRCT2
2

Create a build directory

mkdir build
cd build
Do not build in the source directory. CMake will reject in-source builds.
3

Configure the build

For a standard macOS app bundle:
cmake .. -G Ninja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
This uses OpenRCT2’s pre-built dependencies and creates OpenRCT2.app.To use Homebrew libraries instead:
cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DMACOS_USE_DEPENDENCIES=OFF \
  -DMACOS_BUNDLE=OFF
4

Compile

ninja
The build will generate required asset files and create the OpenRCT2 binary or app bundle.
5

Install (optional)

For app bundle builds, install to /Applications:
sudo ninja install
For non-bundle builds:
sudo ninja install
This installs to /usr/local by default.

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Architecture-Specific Builds

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Building for Apple Silicon (arm64)

cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DARCH=arm64

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Building for Intel (x86_64)

cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DARCH=x86_64

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Universal Binary (x86_64 + arm64)

When using MACOS_USE_DEPENDENCIES=ON, the pre-built libraries are already universal binaries.
For Homebrew builds, you need to install universal libraries or build separately for each architecture.

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Build Options

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Creating an App Bundle

By default, OpenRCT2 builds as OpenRCT2.app: 
cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DMACOS_USE_DEPENDENCIES=ON \
  -DMACOS_BUNDLE=ON
The app bundle includes all dependencies and can be distributed as a standalone application.

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Building CLI Executable Only

To build a command-line executable instead of an app bundle: 
cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DMACOS_BUNDLE=OFF

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Headless Build (Server Only)

cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DDISABLE_GUI=ON

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Building with Tests

cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug \
  -DWITH_TESTS=ON

ninja

# Run tests
ctest --output-on-failure

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OpenRCT2 Dependencies Details

When MACOS_USE_DEPENDENCIES=ON (default on macOS), CMake automatically downloads:
  • Version: v41
  • File: openrct2-libs-v41-universal-macos-dylibs.zip
  • Source: OpenRCT2/Dependencies releases
  • Location: Downloaded to lib/macos/ in your source tree
This includes universal binaries (x86_64 + arm64) of:
  • SDL2
  • libzip, zlib, libpng
  • OpenSSL 1.1
  • FreeType
  • ICU
  • FLAC, Vorbis, Ogg
  • And more
The dependencies are cached after first download.

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Running OpenRCT2

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From App Bundle

After building: 
open OpenRCT2.app
Or from the command line: 
open OpenRCT2.app --args --verbose

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From CLI Build

./openrct2
On first run, OpenRCT2 will ask you to locate your RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 installation directory.

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Using CCache

CCache speeds up rebuilds significantly: 
brew install ccache
CMake will automatically detect and use CCache. To disable: 
cmake .. -G Ninja -DOPENRCT2_USE_CCACHE=OFF

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Troubleshooting

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OpenSSL 3 Compatibility Issues

OpenRCT2 is not yet compatible with OpenSSL 3 (the default in Homebrew).
If you’re using Homebrew libraries: 
brew install openssl@1.1

export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="$(brew --prefix openssl@1.1)"

cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DMACOS_USE_DEPENDENCIES=OFF
Or use OpenRCT2’s dependencies: 
cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DMACOS_USE_DEPENDENCIES=ON

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Library Not Found Errors

If CMake can’t find Homebrew libraries: 
# Check Homebrew paths
brew --prefix

# Add to CMake prefix path
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="$(brew --prefix)"

# Or specify library paths
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH="$(brew --prefix)/lib/pkgconfig"

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Xcode Command Line Tools Not Found

# Install if missing
xcode-select --install

# Reset path if needed
sudo xcode-select --reset

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Architecture Mismatch

If you get architecture-related errors: 
# Check your system architecture
uname -m

# Explicitly set architecture
cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DARCH=$(uname -m)

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Code Signing Issues

For development builds, code signing is not required. If you encounter signing issues: 
codesign --deep --force --verify --verbose --sign - OpenRCT2.app

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Bundle Fixup Failures

If the app bundle fails to create properly, try a non-bundle build: 
cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DMACOS_BUNDLE=OFF

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Deployment Target

CMake automatically sets the macOS deployment target:
  • x86_64: macOS 10.14 (Mojave)
  • arm64: macOS 11.0 (Big Sur)
To override: 
cmake .. -G Ninja \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DCMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=11.0

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Next Steps