Star Wars Empire at War – Gold Pack (2006): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 88 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Overwhelmingly Positive

39,435 reviews98% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2006
Developer: Petroglyph
Genre: Strategy
Best version today: The Steam Gold Pack bundles the base game with the Forces of Corruption expansion and is the only release patched for 64-bit systems, so it is the version to play.
Runs on: Windows, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Star Wars Empire at War – Gold Pack run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	No Mac version is sold.No player reports yet
Linux	Through Proton: ProtonDB rates it Gold (runs perfectly after tweaks). SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

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Synopsis

A real-time strategy game set between the Star Wars prequels and the original trilogy, in which you lead the Rebellion or the Empire in a fight for the galaxy. You move fleets and build up planets on a galaxy map, then command space and ground battles directly, and the expansion adds a third, criminal faction.

What people say

Critics in 2006 praised it as an inventive, approachable strategy game and one of the best Star Wars strategy titles, especially for its large space battles with controllable capital ships. Some felt that not all of its experiments worked and that victories took a grind, and the campaign was called repetitive next to skirmish play. Players today still enjoy it as Star Wars fans and praise its large mod scene, while calling the base game dated and the interface short on basic conveniences.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardStandard mouse-driven strategy controls still work well, though there is no controller support, and evidence is thin. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✗Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensPlayers call the interface dated and point to missing basics, such as alerts that cannot be clicked to jump to the event, though evidence is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressCampaigns can be saved freely, and no complaints about lost progress turned up, though evidence is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressCritics found it easy for newcomers to pick up while still deep for veterans. Source: metacritic.com.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingCritics and players describe campaigns that require grinding out victories and become repetitive, with ground battles hard to avoid. Source: metacritic.com, steamcommunity.com.
✗Camera and movement never fight the playerPlayers note that the galaxy map cannot be zoomed or rotated, which makes it awkward to manage, though evidence is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.