Starbound Linux

Most Linux users will acquire Starbound via Steam. The process is generally painless, but there are nuances depending on your distribution.

For many gamers, Linux has moved from a curiosity to a primary operating system. With the rise of Steam Deck and the maturity of Proton, gaming on the penguin is more accessible than ever. However, there remains a special place in the heart of the Linux community for native games—titles that run directly on the OS without translation layers. Few titles fit this description better than Chucklefish’s 2D sandbox epic, Starbound . starbound linux

On one hand, the native port means lower overhead and seamless integration with your file system. On the other hand, the native port is sometimes behind the Windows version regarding minor patches, and some players report stability issues that don't exist in the Windows version run via Proton. Most Linux users will acquire Starbound via Steam

Try the native version first. If you encounter crashing or stuttering, force the game to run via Proton. We will cover how to switch between these later in the article. With the rise of Steam Deck and the

If you are running Steam as a Flatpak (common on Fedora, Silverblue, or Pop!_OS), permissions can sometimes be tricky. Ensure the Flatpak version of Steam has access to your network and home directory if you plan on using external mods or saving screenshots to custom folders.

Pro tip: Bind one of the back paddles to the Shift key for running, and another to E for interacting.