Kenshi platforms: Windows-only on Steam and GOG, Steam Deck performance and settings, official system requirements, and whether Kenshi 2 will hit console.
Kenshi Steam Deck & Platforms — Every Way to Play
The short version: Kenshi is a Windows PC game (Steam + GOG) — there are no official Mac or Linux builds (Lo-Fi Games has always stated it's Windows-only), but it runs well on the Steam Deck via Proton (the Deck is a genuinely popular way to play). There's no console version, and Kenshi 2 hasn't announced platforms.
This guide covers every platform question.
Official resources: Steam store page · IGN game page · Wikipedia
The Platform List (2026)
| Platform | Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Windows) | ✅ Yes | The main version (Steam + GOG) |
| PC (macOS) | ❌ No official build | Only via Wine/Proton (unsupported, community-tested) |
| PC (Linux) | ❌ No native build | Deck/Proton runs it fine; no official support |
| Steam Deck | ✅ Yes | Runs well with settings tweaks (community-verified playable) |
| PS4/PS5 | ❌ No | Never |
| Xbox | ❌ No | Never |
| Switch | ❌ No | Never |
Lo-Fi Games is explicit: Kenshi is "made for Windows only" — Mac and Linux users who buy it do so at their own risk, with no official support for those systems (Steam Community FAQ). The Steam Deck works because Proton handles the Windows build, not because a Linux version exists.
Kenshi is Windows-only (Steam + GOG) — and it's great on the Steam Deck via Proton. No console versions exist.
Steam Deck (The Popular Way to Play)
- It works: Kenshi runs on the Steam Deck — the community rates it playable (the interface is mouse-driven; the Deck's trackpads make it usable).
- Settings tips: Cap TDP (~10-12W) for battery; set graphics to medium; the game's UI benefits from the right touchpad/back-button mapping.
- Mods on Deck: The Steam Workshop works on Deck; installing mods via the Workshop in desktop mode is the reliable path.
- Controls: Kenshi's UI was built for a mouse — map the right trackpad as the cursor and put pause (spacebar) on a back button; that setup covers most of the game.
- Proton: Kenshi runs through Proton on the Deck (no native Linux build); players report playable frame rates at medium settings, with the late-game squad sim the most likely place to see dips (the game is CPU-bound).
System Requirements (PC)
- Minimum (official): 64-bit Windows, a dual-core 64-bit CPU, 6 GB RAM, a pixel-shader-5.0-capable GPU, DirectX 11, and 14 GB of storage (Steam store page).
- Recommended (official): a quad-core 64-bit CPU, 16 GB RAM — and Steam's own page suggests installing on an SSD.
- Reality: Kenshi's large map and squad sim are CPU-bound; a decent CPU matters far more than the GPU. The sim-heavy late game (big squads, many faction states) is where weaker CPUs feel it.
Will Kenshi Come to Console?
- Kenshi 1: No — never announced, and the mouse-driven UI would need a big redesign. Don't expect it.
- Kenshi 2: No platforms announced yet — PC-first is the safe assumption (Kenshi's identity is mouse + pause + squad).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenshi on Steam Deck?
Yes — it runs on the Deck (community-playable), with settings tweaks recommended for performance and battery.
What platforms is Kenshi on?
Windows only on Steam and GOG (Mac/Linux run via Wine/Proton, unsupported). No consoles.
Is Kenshi on Mac or Linux?
No official builds — Kenshi is Windows-only on Steam and GOG. Mac and Linux users can run it through Wine/Proton (community-tested, unsupported), which is how the Steam Deck plays it.
Will Kenshi come to console?
Kenshi 1: no. Kenshi 2: unannounced — assume PC-first.
What are Kenshi's system requirements?
Light: official minimum is a dual-core 64-bit CPU, 6 GB RAM, a pixel-shader-5.0 GPU, and 14 GB storage. CPU matters most (the game is sim-heavy).
Is Kenshi better on Steam or GOG?
Both are identical; Steam has Workshop mods one-click, GOG is DRM-free. Steam is the popular choice for mods.