How Empires Work launches as incremental grand strategy game for Linux and Steam Deck

Crow Cottage has released How Empires Work, an incremental grand strategy game that transitions from manual clicking to automated state management. The title is available on Steam for Linux, Windows, and macOS, focusing on managing taxes, trade, and military forces to sustain a growing empire.

The game includes a native Linux build, though the developer notes that full compatibility testing across all Steam Deck hardware models has not been completed. While the game has been tested on a Steam Deck OLED using the default Steam Linux runtime, users encountering graphical issues are advised to use a specific launch command to switch rendering drivers.

Linux compatibility and rendering options

• Platform Support: The game features a native Linux build, making it compatible with desktop distributions and handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
• Steam Deck Testing: Verification has been performed on the Steam Deck OLED using the standard Steam Linux runtime, though results may vary on other Deck hardware revisions.
• Rendering Workaround: For users experiencing technical difficulties, the developer recommends forcing the OpenGL driver by adding the launch option -rendering-driver opengl3 within the Steam client.
• Genre Mechanics: The gameplay loop utilizes incremental mechanics to automate complex statecraft tasks such as tax collection and trade route management.

Why it matters

The availability of a native Linux build and specific rendering workarounds demonstrates the importance of developer-provided troubleshooting for handheld Linux gaming. This release contributes to the growing library of strategy titles that support the Steam Deck ecosystem natively.