Star Citizen on Bazzite Linux? Yes, it works. And it works surprisingly well. Whether you’re on a Steam Deck or a Linux gaming PC, you can jump into the ‘verse without touching Windows. This guide will walk you through everything, step by step, in plain English.

TL;DR: Install Star Citizen using the Windows launcher through Steam with Proton. Use Bazzite’s built-in Steam and Proton GE for best results. Add the RSI Launcher as a non-Steam game and force Proton compatibility. On Steam Deck, use Desktop Mode for setup, then switch back to Gaming Mode to play.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Let’s keep this simple. Here’s what you need:

• Bazzite Linux installed (Steam Deck or PC)
• Steam installed and updated
• A Star Citizen account
• At least 150GB free storage
• A little patience. It’s a big game.

Bazzite makes this easier because it’s built for gaming. It already includes Steam. It supports Proton. It plays nicely with the Steam Deck.

Step 1: Install Proton GE (Very Recommended)

Star Citizen works best with Proton GE (GloriousEggroll’s custom Proton version).

On Bazzite, this is easy:

1. Open Steam.
2. Go to Settings → Compatibility.
3. Enable “Force the use of a compatibility tool.”
4. If Proton GE is not listed, install it via ProtonUp-Qt (usually preinstalled on Bazzite).

If ProtonUp-Qt is installed:

• Open it.
• Select Steam.
• Install the latest Proton GE version.
• Restart Steam.

That’s it. Easy.

Step 2: Download the RSI Launcher

Star Citizen does not live on Steam. So we install it manually.

1. Switch to Desktop Mode (on Steam Deck hold power → Switch to Desktop).
2. Open a browser.
3. Go to robertsspaceindustries.com.
4. Download the Windows launcher.

Yes, the Windows version. Proton will handle it.

The file will download as an .exe. That’s fine. Don’t panic. Linux can run it through Proton.

Step 3: Add the Launcher to Steam

Now we trick Steam into launching it.

1. Open Steam (Desktop Mode).
2. Click Add a Game → Add a Non-Steam Game.
3. Browse to the downloaded RSI Launcher .exe.
4. Add it.

Now:

• Right-click the launcher in your Steam Library.
• Select Properties.
• Go to Compatibility.
• Check Force the use of a compatibility tool.
• Select Proton GE.

Close the window. Ready? Click Play.

The launcher installer should appear just like on Windows.

Step 4: Install Star Citizen

The RSI installer will now:

• Ask where to install
• Create folders
• Download 100+ GB of glorious space content

Tip: Install it to your fastest drive. SSD is best. NVMe is better.

On Steam Deck:

• Internal SSD works best.
• SD cards can work, but loading times increase.

After installation finishes, do not delete the launcher.

If the launcher closes, just press Play again in Steam.

Step 5: First Launch Tips

The first launch takes longer. Be patient.

If the game crashes:

• Restart Steam.
• Check you’re using Proton GE.
• Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date.

Bazzite usually keeps Mesa and drivers updated. That’s one reason it’s great for this.

Steam Deck Performance Tips

Let’s be honest. Star Citizen is demanding.

But it can run on Steam Deck with tweaks.

Recommended Steam Deck Settings:

• Resolution: 1280×800
• Graphics: Medium or Low
• Volumetric clouds: Off
• FSR: Enabled
• Frame limit: 30–40 FPS

Use the Steam performance overlay:

• Press the “…” button.
• Open Performance tab.
• Tweak TDP if needed.

Expect cities to dip in FPS. Space runs better.

That’s normal. Even high-end PCs struggle.

PC Performance Tips

If you’re running Bazzite on a gaming PC, you’re in better shape.

Minimum for decent experience:

• 6-core CPU
• 16GB RAM (32GB recommended)
• Modern AMD or NVIDIA GPU
• SSD storage

In-game settings to tweak first:

• Cloud quality
• Motion blur off
• Chromatic aberration off
• Film grain off

AMD GPUs typically work very well thanks to Mesa drivers.

NVIDIA works too, especially with newer drivers.

Switching Back to Gaming Mode (Steam Deck)

Once everything works in Desktop Mode:

1. Return to Gaming Mode.
2. Find the RSI Launcher in Library → Non-Steam.
3. Launch it like any other game.

You can add custom artwork for a cleaner look if you want.

Now Star Citizen feels like a native Steam title.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem: Launcher won’t open

• Make sure Proton GE is selected.
• Restart Steam completely.

Problem: Game crashes on loading

• Check RAM usage.
• Close background apps.
• Verify files in the RSI Launcher.

Problem: Anti-cheat issues

• Usually fixed in newer Proton GE.
• Update Proton GE version.

Problem: Low FPS

• Lower cloud settings first.
• Enable FSR.
• Stay away from major cities.

Optional: Improving Stability

Want smoother performance?

Try these tweaks:

• Enable Resizable BAR in BIOS (if supported).
• Use GameMode (Bazzite often enables it).
• Keep system updated with rpm-ostree update.

Reboot after major updates.

Sometimes simple fixes work best.

Is It Worth Playing on Linux?

Short answer? Yes.

Long answer? Also yes.

Performance is close to Windows in most cases. Stability depends more on the game itself than Linux. Star Citizen is still in development. Expect bugs everywhere.

Linux is not the unstable part here.

Bazzite actually makes the experience smoother because:

• Gaming-focused setup
• Modern drivers
• Works beautifully with Steam Deck

Final Thoughts

Running Star Citizen on Bazzite Linux sounds scary. It isn’t.

The big secret? Treat it like a Windows game inside Steam. Let Proton do the heavy lifting.

Once installed, it behaves like any other title in your library.

You can explore planets. Mine asteroids. Dogfight in deep space. All from Linux.

No dual boot. No Windows license. No problem.

Just you, your ship, and a very large universe waiting to break in hilarious ways.

Welcome to the ‘verse, Linux pilot.

🚀