Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
In The Black System Requirements: PC Specs, Mac & Linux Support, Steam Deck Status
In The Black is a hardcore, Newtonian space combat simulator from Impeller Studios, the Savannah-based team led by X-Wing and MechWarrior veterans, and it launched into Steam Early Access on 5 May 2026 at $19.99 / £19.99. You play as a private military contractor in the 23rd century, flying nuclear-powered fighters on contract missions, 5v5 BloodSport matches, and 2-4 player co-op PvE scenarios. Performance-wise, this is a mid-weight Unreal Engine title with a genuinely demanding minimum specification for a game of its scope. The 12 GB RAM minimum and GTX 970 GPU floor are higher than most space combat sims, and the game carries a Steam Deck Playable rating rather than the full Verified badge. All PC specifications below are taken directly from the official Steam store page.
System Requirements
Minimum (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel i7 processor |
| Memory (RAM) | 12 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 970 |
| VRAM | Not listed separately by the developer; the GTX 970 ships with 4 GB |
| DirectX | Not specified on the Steam page |
| Storage | 25 GB available space |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required |
| Additional Notes | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Broadband internet connection required. HOTAS, HOSAS, gamepad, and Steam Deck controller support confirmed. |
Source: Steam store page for In The Black, VGtimes, and PCGameBenchmark. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The minimum tier targets 1080p at 30 to 60 fps on low-to-medium settings, though Impeller Studios does not specify a frame rate target on the Steam page. The “Intel i7 processor” requirement is deliberately broad, covering performance-tier chips from roughly 2008 onward, but in practice any modern i5 or Ryzen 5 from the last six to seven years will meet or exceed the intended performance level. The GTX 970’s 4 GB of VRAM is the practical floor, and the 12 GB system RAM requirement is unusually high for a space combat sim, reflecting the game’s Newtonian physics simulation, realistic projectile tracking, and the Unreal Engine’s memory overhead. The 25 GB install size is moderate. The broadband internet requirement is listed at both tiers even though the game has single-player modes, which reflects the persistent online architecture for multiplayer and contract tracking.
Recommended (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel i7 processor |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1080 |
| VRAM | Not listed separately; the GTX 1080 ships with 8 GB |
| DirectX | Not specified on the Steam page |
| Storage | 25 GB available space |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required |
| Additional Notes | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. |
Source: Steam store page for In The Black, PCGameBenchmark, and FHYX. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The recommended tier targets 1080p or 1440p at 60 fps on high settings. The jump from 12 GB to 16 GB of RAM is the most meaningful change between tiers, and it reflects the game’s memory footprint growing as larger battlespace environments, more complex ship loadouts, and the full physics simulation are loaded simultaneously. The GTX 1080’s 8 GB of VRAM is the practical target for higher resolutions and settings, though you will not be VRAM-limited at 1080p on a 4 GB card. Note that the processor requirement is listed as “Intel i7 processor” at both tiers, which means Impeller Studios has not distinguished between a minimum and recommended CPU. In practice, the recommended tier benefits more from a modern processor with strong single-thread performance, as the game’s physics simulation is CPU-bound.
A Note on VRAM and System RAM
The GTX 970’s 4 GB VRAM is the hard GPU floor, and the 12 GB system RAM minimum is unusually high for a space combat sim. This is not a texture-heavy or geometry-heavy game in the way a modern open-world title is, but its Newtonian physics simulation, realistic projectile tracking, and the Unreal Engine’s asset streaming pipeline all draw on system memory. The 16 GB recommendation is the more meaningful upgrade path if you want consistent frame rates in 5v5 BloodSport matches with multiple ships, missiles, and railgun projectiles all tracking simultaneously. If you are running 12 GB, you meet the minimum, but you may encounter stuttering in the most complex battlespace scenarios.
macOS
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Not separately published by the developer |
| Processor | Not separately published |
| Memory (RAM) | Not separately published |
| Graphics | Not separately published |
| Storage | Not separately published |
| Additional Notes | Steambase lists macOS as a supported platform for In The Black, alongside Windows, Linux, and Steam Deck (Playable). The official Steam page lists Windows 10 and 11 only. |
Source: Steambase’s platform data and the Steam store page for In The Black. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: There is a discrepancy between sources on macOS support. Steambase’s platform data lists Windows, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck (Playable) as supported systems, but the official Steam store page lists Windows 10 and 11 only, and Impeller Studios has not published separate macOS system requirements on the Steam page or their official website. I am treating macOS as unconfirmed rather than fully supported until the developer clarifies. If you are a Mac user, check the Steam store page for an official macOS badge before purchasing, and be aware that the game’s Unreal Engine foundation and physics simulation may not translate well to Apple Silicon hardware without a dedicated build.
Linux / SteamOS
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Not separately published by the developer |
| Processor | Not separately published |
| Memory (RAM) | Not separately published |
| Graphics | Not separately published |
| Storage | Not separately published |
| Additional Notes | Steambase lists Linux as a supported platform. The developer has confirmed team members are testing on Linux, and a Steam Community post noted that “Proton 10.0-2 (Beta) default from Steam fixed this on my machine” for boot crashes on NixOS. |
Source: Steambase’s platform data, Steam Community Linux crash report, and SteamDB’s supported systems data. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: As with macOS, there is a discrepancy. SteamDB’s supported systems data lists Windows 64-bit only, and the official Steam Support page confirms this. Steambase’s listing of Linux support may reflect the developer’s ongoing testing rather than an officially shipped build. A Steam Community post from a player on NixOS reported hard crashes on boot with Proton Experimental, and a developer replied that “we have a few on the team using Linux and I’m personally playing on Steam Deck so we are looking at this,” recommending Proton 10.0-2 (Beta) as a fix. If you are a desktop Linux user, you should verify compatibility on the Steam store page before purchasing, and be prepared to experiment with Proton versions.
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2: Not Available
In The Black is a PC-exclusive release. VGJournal confirms the platforms as “PC (Windows)” only, and gamemag.ru lists the platforms as PC with a release date of 5 May 2026. There is no PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 version, and Impeller Studios has not announced plans for any console ports. If you play primarily on a console, you cannot access In The Black.
Steam Deck
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Playable (Valve’s official rating). CheckMyDeck confirms: “Valve’s testing indicates that In The Black is playable on Steam Deck. This game is functional on Steam Deck, but might require extra effort to interact with or configure.” |
| Performance | The developer has confirmed they are personally playing on Steam Deck and are actively working on Linux/Proton compatibility. Proton 10.0-2 (Beta) is recommended as a fix for boot crashes. Manual graphics configuration is required to perform well. |
| Additional Notes | Robust input support for Steam Deck’s built-in controls, plus gamepad, HOTAS, HOSAS, and head/eye tracking. The 25 GB install size will consume a significant portion of the Deck’s internal storage. |
Source: CheckMyDeck’s Steam Deck compatibility page, Steam Community Linux crash report, Steambase’s Steam Deck rating, and Steamstat.io. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: In The Black carries a Playable rating on Steam Deck, Valve’s middle compatibility tier rather than the full Verified badge. CheckMyDeck’s official Valve test results are specific about the limitations: “This game is functional on Steam Deck, but might require extra effort to interact with or configure” and “this game requires manual configuration of graphics settings to perform well on Steam Deck.” The developer has acknowledged the Steam Deck situation directly, with a team member stating: “We have a few on the team using Linux and I’m personally playing on Steam Deck so we are looking at this.” A community fix involves switching to Proton 10.0-2 (Beta), which resolved boot crashes for at least one player. The game’s 25 GB install size will consume a significant portion of the Deck’s internal storage. If you own a Steam Deck and are willing to spend time configuring Proton and graphics settings, this is a functional portable space combat sim. If you want a plug-and-play experience, it is not.
Early Access Status and Known Performance Issues
In The Black launched into Early Access on 5 May 2026 and has received “Mixed” to “Mostly Positive” reviews on Steam, with a current player score of 73 out of 100 from Steambase. PC Perspective’s launch coverage noted that “the reviews have been quite mixed thanks to the rather buggy state of the game,” and MMO13 reported that “the first users note the rawness of the game and a mass of small problems, though they often emphasise that the project looks potentially interesting and needs more time for development.” Rock Paper Shotgun highlighted the game’s Newtonian physics and realistic combat as its core appeal, noting that it was “one of the few games to have earned the Atomic Rockets Seal of Approval.” Impeller Studios has stated that Early Access will last at least one year, with the full version adding “UX refinements, improved combat systems and player progression balance, expanded content, new game modes, enhanced graphics and sound, and some new friends and matchmaking features.”
Price, Editions, and Content
In The Black is priced at $19.99 / £19.99 / HK$78.00 on Steam. The game supports English language only as of launch, with no Simplified Chinese support. It is also available in bundle deals with Ostranauts and EVERSPACE 2 at a 10 percent discount. A free demo is available on Steam, covering the tutorial, Simulator Mode, and limited contract missions. The Early Access version includes 5 unique nuclear-powered space fighters with multiple variants, a ShipFrame Editor for loadout and appearance customisation, BloodSport Mode (5v5 Assault, Conquest, and Team Deathmatch), Contract Mode (single-player offensive and defensive scenarios), Simulator Mode (tutorials and free flight challenges), and battlespaces across Mars, the asteroid belt, Saturn, Titan, and Enceladus.
Final Verdict: Can Your PC Run In The Black?
In The Black has a higher hardware floor than most space combat sims. The minimum spec asks for a 12 GB of RAM and a GTX 970, which is hardware from 2014-2016, but the 12 GB RAM requirement is unusual and rules out any PC with only 8 GB. The GTX 970’s 4 GB VRAM is the hard GPU threshold. If you have a gaming PC from the last six to seven years with a 4 GB GPU and 12 GB of RAM, you meet the minimum, but you should expect to run the game at 1080p and low-to-medium settings. The recommended tier asks for 16 GB of RAM and a GTX 1080, which is achievable on most mid-range gaming PCs from the last five to six years.
The 16 GB RAM recommendation is the most meaningful upgrade path. If you have 12 GB and your GPU meets the minimum, moving to 16 GB will likely improve frame rate consistency in 5v5 BloodSport matches and complex contract missions. The GTX 1080’s 8 GB VRAM is the practical target for 1440p, though you will not be VRAM-limited at 1080p on a 4 GB card.
The Early Access caveat is important. The game launched with Mixed reviews and has since climbed to Mostly Positive, but player reports consistently describe a buggy, raw experience that needs more development time. If you are buying into Early Access, you should be comfortable with the reality that the game is at least a year from its full release, that content and balance are still being worked on, and that performance may fluctuate as new features are added.
On Steam Deck, the game is Playable but requires manual configuration of graphics settings and may need Proton 10.0-2 (Beta) to run without boot crashes. The developer is actively working on Linux and Steam Deck compatibility. There is no macOS or native Linux version confirmed on the official Steam page, though Steambase lists both as supported. There are no console versions. If you own a gaming PC with 16 GB of RAM and a GTX 1080 or better, and you enjoy hardcore Newtonian space combat sims, In The Black is a promising Early Access title that will continue to improve. If you are looking for a polished, finished game, wait.
Specs and performance may be revised by Impeller Studios in future patches, and the developer has already released multiple updates since the 5 May 2026 Early Access launch, including stability improvements, railgun and armor rebalancing, and Steam Deck crash fixes. This article reflects the Steam store page, VGtimes, PCGameBenchmark, FHYX, Steambase, SteamDB’s supported systems data, CheckMyDeck’s Steam Deck compatibility page, Steam Community discussions, PC Perspective, MMO13, Rock Paper Shotgun, and verified outlet reports as of 28 September 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.