Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRimWorld runs natively on Linux, so Ubuntu users can install it through Steam without forcing Proton. GOG also sells an official Linux version with a DRM-free offline installer. Steam is the easiest choice for automatic updates and Workshop mods; GOG is better if you want an offline installer and DRM-free distribution.
Can you play RimWorld on Ubuntu?
Yes. RimWorld officially supports Linux. Steam lists a native SteamOS + Linux version, and GOG identifies Linux as a supported operating system.
That means Ubuntu users do not normally need Wine or Proton. The standard Steam installation should download and launch RimWorld’s Linux build directly. Compatibility can still vary with Ubuntu releases, graphics drivers, desktop sessions, and mods, so native Linux support is not a guarantee that every configuration will behave identically.
Choose where to download RimWorld
Steam: the easiest option for most Ubuntu users
Use Steam’s RimWorld page if you want:
- Automatic game updates through the Steam client
- Steam Workshop mod subscriptions and updates
- A familiar library and launcher
- Easy integration with other Steam games or Steam Deck
Steam is the best default for most Ubuntu desktop users. It uses a client-based ownership and launcher model, so it is not the right choice if DRM-free ownership is your priority.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
GOG: the DRM-free and offline option
GOG’s RimWorld release officially supports Linux and includes a DRM-free offline installer. GOG Galaxy is optional; it is not required to install or play the offline version. The USD product page displayed $34.99 when checked, but prices vary by region and can change.
GOG is a good fit if you want to keep an installer locally or avoid Steam. Updates and mods are more manual, and GOG does not provide the same Steam Workshop workflow.
Avoid “free full version” pages, torrents, repacked installers, and random .sh, .run, or archive files claiming to be RimWorld downloads. Use Steam or GOG so the game files, updates, DLC ownership, and downloads come from a legitimate source.
RimWorld Linux system requirements
Steam lists these minimum requirements for SteamOS + Linux:
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | Core 2 Duo |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4000 or another Shader Model 4.0-capable GPU |
| Storage | 1 GB available space |
See the Steam product page for the listed requirements. The 1 GB figure is a store minimum, not a recommended amount for the complete installation. Leave additional space for DLC, mods, saves, Steam files, and shader caches.
A 64-bit Ubuntu desktop installation, current system packages, working graphics drivers, and an internet connection for installation and account authentication are sensible modern prerequisites. The minimum requirements also do not guarantee smooth performance in a huge colony with many pawns, animals, raids, or mods.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
How to install RimWorld on Ubuntu through Steam
- Install Steam using the official Steam download page or Ubuntu’s Steam installation guide.
- Open Steam and sign in.
- Search for RimWorld and open the actual game listing, not a DLC or soundtrack listing.
- Purchase or redeem the game if it is not already in your library.
- Select Install and choose a library with enough free space.
- Let Steam download the Linux-compatible files.
- Select Play. Do not force Proton unless the native build gives you a specific problem.
On the first launch, confirm that the main menu appears, create a small test colony, check audio and display settings, and exit normally before installing a large mod list. This helps separate installation problems from later mod or configuration problems.
How to install the GOG version on Ubuntu
- Buy or redeem RimWorld through GOG and open your game library.
- Download the Linux installer or offline installer to a known location such as
~/Downloads. - Open Terminal and inspect the exact downloaded filename:
cd ~/Downloads
lsMake the installer executable, replacing the placeholder with the filename shown by ls:
chmod +x ./<exact-installer-name>.sh
./<exact-installer-name>.shGOG may change the installer filename, extension, or download location, so do not assume that every download uses the same name. Follow the installer prompts, choose an installation directory, and launch the game from its shortcut or installation folder.
If double-clicking opens the file in a text editor, use the file manager’s executable-permission control or run the installer from Terminal. If it fails because the download is incomplete or corrupted, download it again directly from GOG rather than using an unofficial mirror.
Do you need Proton for RimWorld?
No, not for the native Linux build. Proton is Steam’s compatibility layer for running Windows games on Linux. Because RimWorld has a native Linux listing, forcing Proton adds variables without solving a problem that normally exists.
Forcing Proton can change save locations, graphics behavior, mod behavior, launcher behavior, and performance. Leave Steam’s compatibility setting at its default when the native game launches normally.
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Rank #3
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
If you need to test Proton after checking the native installation, Ubuntu documents these controls:
- Steam Settings → Steam Play for global compatibility settings
- For one game, right-click it and choose Properties → Compatibility, then enable the option to force a specific Steam Play compatibility tool
Steam’s labels may change slightly as the client is updated. Proton is reasonable as a troubleshooting experiment, for a deliberately chosen Windows build, or when a particular non-native tool requires it. It should not be the starting point for RimWorld on Ubuntu. See Ubuntu’s Steam and Proton documentation.
Fix RimWorld not launching on Ubuntu
Steam has no Install button
- Confirm that the signed-in Steam account owns the base game.
- Open the actual RimWorld game page rather than a DLC or soundtrack page.
- Restart Steam and allow the library to refresh.
- Check Steam Play settings only if Steam is presenting a non-native title.
- Do not assume Proton is required: RimWorld has a native Linux listing.
The game opens and immediately closes
- Restart Steam.
- Use the installed-game properties to verify the game files.
- Temporarily disable recently added mods.
- Confirm that Steam is using the native Linux build.
- Update Ubuntu packages and graphics drivers.
- Only then test Proton as an experiment.
Note whether the problem began after a game, DLC, Ubuntu, driver, or mod update. Avoid copying random launch commands from forums unless they are known to apply to your current build.
Black screen or graphical corruption
Check the graphics driver, Mesa or proprietary NVIDIA driver state, Wayland/X11 differences, forced Proton settings, overlays, and compositor conflicts. Temporarily disable graphics or UI-altering mods. Valve’s Proton requirements documentation explains why Linux gaming can depend on current graphics drivers, but it is general Proton guidance—not proof that RimWorld requires a particular driver version.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
SteamVR troubleshooting pages contain VR-specific advice about SteamVR packages, DRM leasing, and Wayland. Those requirements should not be treated as ordinary RimWorld requirements.
The GOG installer will not run
Use the exact filename and run it from its download directory:
Rank #4
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
cd ~/Downloads
ls
chmod +x ./<exact-installer-name>.sh
./<exact-installer-name>.shIf the command reports a missing file, check the spelling and extension shown by ls. If the installer is incomplete, download it again from GOG.
The GOG game has no desktop shortcut
This is not necessarily an installation failure. Launch the executable from the installation directory, create a desktop entry manually, or optionally add the game to a launcher such as Heroic. A third-party launcher is not required for the native GOG installer.
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Steam Workshop
Steam Workshop is the simplest mod workflow: subscribe to a mod, let Steam download it, and manage it from the game’s mod list. However:
- Mod updates can break an existing save.
- Load order can matter.
- A mod made for another RimWorld version may produce errors.
- Large mod lists increase startup time and memory use.
- Removing a mod from an active colony can damage or alter the save.
Launch the unmodded game once before subscribing to many mods. Back up important saves and check the mod author’s instructions before removing a mod from a live colony.
GOG and manual mods
GOG installations can use manual mods, but the exact process depends on the mod author, game version, and distribution method. You are responsible for downloading updates, placing files correctly, matching versions, and maintaining load order. Not every Steam Workshop mod is available in an equivalent GOG download.
DLC and the base game should be kept on compatible versions. If a colony stops loading after an update, first check the game version and recently changed mods before changing the installation.
Best Value
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
Steam or GOG: which should Ubuntu users choose?
| Choose Steam if you want | Choose GOG if you want |
|---|---|
| The simplest installation and automatic updates | DRM-free distribution |
| Steam Workshop convenience | A downloadable offline installer |
| A central Steam library | To avoid requiring GOG Galaxy or Steam |
| Steam ecosystem integration | More direct control over local game files |
For most Ubuntu users, install the native Steam version and leave Proton disabled. Choose GOG when offline installation and DRM-free ownership matter more than automatic updates and Workshop convenience.
Offline play
GOG explicitly advertises RimWorld as DRM-free and provides an offline installer, so it is the clearest option for installing and playing without a store client after setup.
Steam normally uses the Steam client for installation and entitlement management. Steam’s offline mode may allow later play after its setup requirements are met, but it should not be treated as a universal guarantee. If offline installation is the central requirement, use the GOG release.
Frequently asked questions
Is RimWorld free on Ubuntu?
No. RimWorld is a paid game. A legitimate free download should only mean downloading a copy you already purchased or redeemed through an authorized store.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Can I install RimWorld without Steam?
Yes. GOG provides an official Linux version with a DRM-free offline installer, and GOG Galaxy is optional.
Can I use Steam Workshop with the GOG version?
Steam Workshop is tied to Steam’s distribution and subscription system. A GOG installation requires manual mods or another compatible distribution method, and equivalent downloads are not guaranteed for every Workshop mod.
Does Ubuntu’s version matter?
It can. RimWorld supports Linux, but driver versions, desktop sessions, package formats, and Ubuntu releases can affect individual configurations. Keep Ubuntu and graphics drivers current rather than assuming every release behaves the same.
Why does RimWorld slow down late in a colony?
The simulation can become more demanding as pawn counts, animals, raids, pathfinding activity, and mod complexity increase. Store minimum requirements describe the baseline game and do not guarantee smooth performance in a very large or heavily modded colony.
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