Cloud Imperium Games published official minimum system requirements on the Steam page when it opened in September–October 2026. They are notably modest for a game of this visual ambition — PC Gamer called them "charmingly old-fashioned." Here is the full list and what each line means. Last verified: 2026-10-12.
Official minimum requirements
The official minimum is Windows 11 (64-bit), a quad-core CPU — Intel i7 (Sandy Bridge or later) or AMD Bulldozer or later — 16 GB RAM, and a DirectX 11.1-compatible graphics card with 8 GB VRAM. The game also lists DirectX 12 as its runtime requirement.
You will need a broadband internet connection and 150 GB of available storage. Recommended requirements have not yet been announced: Steam currently lists only that the game requires a 64-bit processor and operating system.
What each line means
Windows 11, 64-bit. The game targets Microsoft's current desktop OS only. Windows 10 is not listed; there are no macOS or Linux versions, and no console versions either (details).
The CPU line. Sandy Bridge (2011) and Bulldozer (2011) are ancient baselines — the point is the quad-core floor, not the specific cores. Any mainstream CPU from roughly the last decade clears it. Do not read this line as a performance prediction; it is a compatibility floor.
16 GB RAM. Twice the 8 GB many games ask for, and the first line here that genuinely shapes buying decisions for older machines.
8 GB VRAM, DirectX 11.1 / 12. The GPU requirement asks for a DirectX 11.1-class card with 8 GB of video memory — a capacity that effectively means a mid-range card from the last several generations. The DirectX 12 listing describes the runtime the game uses; ignore forum claims that the game is "Vulkan only" — they contradict the store page.
150 GB available space. This is a disk space requirement, not a confirmed download size — the actual footprint at launch is unknown. Either way, it is large: an SSD with 150 GB free is part of the preparation.
Broadband connection. A single-player game listing an internet requirement is worth noting. The store page does not explain it; the game also requires an RSI account (details), which is the likely context. Whether the campaign is playable fully offline has not been stated officially.
A practical prep checklist
- Free up 150 GB+ on an SSD — the storage line is the easiest to prepare today.
- Check VRAM — 8 GB is the hard floor; 4 GB cards will not clear it.
- Update to Windows 11 if you are still on Windows 10.
- Plan for 16 GB RAM if your system has less.
- Create your RSI account ahead of launch and link it to Steam.
Requirements are minimums for launch and can change during final optimization — this page carries its verification date, and we will update it if the Steam page changes.
Specs transcribed from the official Steam listing, verified 2026-10-12.