Physics-driven RTS where terrain is a weapon.
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Last updated
Zero-K is a free rts game released under Open Source (GPL-2.0). It runs on Windows, needs about 1.3 GB of disk space, and requires no account, payment or trial. On a computer, the fastest route is the PlayBound Launcher. On a phone or tablet, use the official store or site instead.
Choose how to install
Install with PlayBound or download from the official source without the launcher.
Install the PlayBound Launcher, then find Zero-K and press Install. The launcher downloads the official release, unpacks it and creates a shortcut. This is the fastest route and it never uses third-party mirrors.
Alternatively, download Zero-K directly from the official site at https://zero-k.info. Always download from the official source — third-party mirrors of free games are a common malware vector.
Zero-K is also on Steam and is free there. Open the store page and press Play Game to add it to your library.
steam://install/334920Windows
Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts. If Windows SmartScreen warns about an unrecognised publisher, that is normal for open-source projects without a paid code-signing certificate — choose More info, then Run anyway.
Linux
Check your distribution's package manager first, which is usually the easiest route. Otherwise download the AppImage from the official site, mark it executable and run it.
chmod +x *.AppImage && ./*.AppImageLaunch the game and look at the settings menu before your first session — resolution and control defaults are worth checking. Zero-K needs roughly 1.3 GB of free disk space.
Minimum
2.2 GHz dual-core CPU · 4 GB RAM · 1 GB VRAM GPU · 3 GB storage
Recommended
3 GHz quad-core CPU · 8 GB RAM · 2 GB VRAM GPU · 4 GB storage
Yes, entirely. Zero-K is free and open-source on both its own launcher and Steam, with no purchases, no cosmetics and no advertising.
They serve different tastes. Zero-K has smarter unit AI, a more forgiving economy, a real single-player campaign and a smaller download. Beyond All Reason stays closer to Total Annihilation, demands more micromanagement, and currently has more players. If you have played neither and want less clicking, start with Zero-K.
Yes, a substantial one, which is unusual for this genre. It gradually introduces the unit roster and works well as both a tutorial and a game in its own right.
Yes. Zero-K is listed on Steam and is free there, with no paid content of any kind.
A 2.5 GHz quad-core CPU, 4 GB of RAM and a dedicated GPU handle it comfortably. Like most games in this genre, very large battles are CPU-bound.
Yes. Zero-K supports up to 16 players. You can join a public community server from the PlayBound server browser and host a game on your own PC. PlayBound Connect handles the setup: start a party with your friends, pick how you want to play, and everyone launches into the same game from the PlayBound launcher. It also supports a ranked ladder. There is no subscription and no paid multiplayer tier.