On Ubuntu, the current way to play PAYDAY 2 is to run its Windows build through Steam Proton. Starbreeze retired the legacy native Linux branch in Update 247 on August 13, 2026, and directs Linux players to Proton. This is the developer’s supported direction, not a guarantee that the game will work on every Ubuntu, driver, or hardware configuration.
What changed for PAYDAY 2 on Linux?
Update 247 retired the old native Linux branch because it was no longer in development. The update moved PAYDAY 2 to Diesel Engine v3.0, a 64-bit engine, and a DirectX 11 renderer. Starbreeze said Linux players should use Steam’s Proton features for the current build. Read the Update 247 changelog.
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Payday 2 - Xbox 360 | $24.67 | Buy on Amazon |
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Winning Moves The Game of Pay Day, Make & Spend Money for Fun | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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This is not a choice between two equally current Linux versions: the native branch is legacy, while Proton runs the Windows game build on Linux. Starbreeze had previously explained in June 2023 that keeping the old Linux engine updated alongside the main game had proved unfeasible. See the 2023 developer announcement.
How to install and launch it on Ubuntu
- Install Steam for Ubuntu and sign in to the account that owns PAYDAY 2.
- Install PAYDAY 2 from your Steam Library. Use the current game listing; do not seek out or select the retired native Linux branch.
- Use Steam Play with Proton for the game. Starbreeze’s current instruction is to use Steam’s Proton features. Steam’s interface and labels can change, so consult Steam’s current settings if you need to enable or select a Proton version.
- Launch the game from Steam. If it fails to start or behaves unexpectedly, see the troubleshooting steps below before changing save files or adding mods.
Proton is Valve’s compatibility layer for running Windows games on Linux. It uses a modified version of Wine and graphics API implementations; that general description does not amount to PAYDAY 2-specific certification or a promise of particular performance. Valve’s Proton documentation explains the technology.
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What system requirements should Ubuntu users expect?
Steam lists Windows requirements for PAYDAY 2. They can help you judge whether a system is in the general range for the Windows build, but they are not Ubuntu-specific requirements and do not establish that a particular Ubuntu setup will work under Proton.
| Steam listing requirement | Listed minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 |
| Processor | 2 GHz Intel dual-core 64-bit CPU; SSE4.1 support |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 1 GB VRAM |
| Graphics API | DirectX 11 |
| Storage | 32 GB available space |
These figures come from the Windows requirements shown on the PAYDAY 2 Steam listing. They should not be treated as a compatibility guarantee for Ubuntu or as evidence of a specific frame rate.
Rank #2
- FAMILY BONDING: An entertaining family night in without electronics where The Game of Pay Day serves as the star of the show
- PRICELESS LESSONS: Start teaching your children about making money, paying bills, making investments, selling property, and understanding debt through engaging gameplay
- THE PLAY: Roll the die and make your way around the 31 day calendar gameboard, get as many deals as you can, find a buyer, maybe win the lottery, and get your Pay Day at the end of the month
- LIFE 101: By playing, kids will learn how to pay bills, how to make money, how to afford investments and entertainment, providing a starter course for real life financial situations
- SKILLS: A fun way to introduce children to money management through the engaging process of playing a game, teaching skills everyone needs but not everyone learns at an early age
How to move saves from the old native Linux build
If you have saves from the retired native Linux version, use Starbreeze’s Linux Migration Guide, linked from Update 247. Back up your save files before making changes. The guide is the current reference; do not assume that an older conversion recipe is its present procedure.
For historical context only, a Starbreeze post from 2023 described locating Steamuserdata<random number>218620remote, moving save098.sav out of the folder, copying linux_save098.sav, renaming the copy to save098.sav, and starting the game. That older instruction is not confirmation of the current guide’s exact steps. If the current guide differs, follow it.
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Troubleshoot launch, performance, or mod problems
- Start with an unmodded game. Starbreeze advises removing mods when troubleshooting. Mod loaders may need updates after game changes.
- Verify the game files if the game is unmodded. Use Steam’s game-file verification option for PAYDAY 2. This can help address damaged or altered files, but does not guarantee a fix for Proton or Ubuntu issues.
- Consider the timing of the issue. Update 247.2, published August 19, 2026, said Starbreeze was investigating performance problems affecting some players and warned that a LuaJIT change could affect mod loaders. That is a dated status update, not confirmation that the same issue is still unresolved. See the Update 247.2 changelog.
If the game still fails after removing mods and verifying unmodded files, the available official guidance does not establish a universal Ubuntu fix. Results can depend on the specific system and Proton setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the 32 GB Update 247 download size the install size?
No. Starbreeze listed 32 GB as the Update 247 download size. That is update metadata, not a stated ongoing install-size estimate. Steam separately lists 32 GB of available storage in its Windows system requirements; the two figures describe different things.
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Best Value
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
