Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core System Requirements: PC Specs & Steam Deck Performance Guide
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is a 1 to 4 player co-op roguelite FPS from Ghost Ship Games and publisher Ghost Ship Publishing, set in the same sci-fi dwarf universe as Deep Rock Galactic but rebuilt around procedurally generated caves, random roguelike upgrades, and a session-based run structure. It launched into Early Access on 20 May 2026 for PC via Steam only, priced at $29.99 with a 10 percent discount available through the Deep Rock Galactic x Rogue Core bundle. Performance-wise, this is a remarkably lightweight title on paper but a genuinely troubled one in practice: the official minimum asks for a GTX 970 from 2014 and 8 GB of RAM, yet the game launched with widespread reports of unstable frame rates and texture bugs even on high-end hardware.
System Requirements
Minimum (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64 Bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5, 7th gen or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon 290 |
| VRAM | Not listed separately by the developer; the GTX 970 ships with 4 GB, the R9 290 with 4 GB |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
| Storage | 9 GB available space |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required for online co-op |
| Additional Notes | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Full controller support. Steam Deck Playable. Online co-op for up to 4 players. |
Source: Steam Support page for Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core, PCGameBenchmark, and Vandal. Last verified: 2 October 2026.
What this means in practice: The minimum tier targets 1080p at 30 to 60 fps on low-to-medium settings, though Ghost Ship Games does not specify a frame rate target on the Steam page. The Core i5 7th gen is a 2016 processor and the GTX 970 is a 2014 upper-mid-range card, so this is hardware from roughly ten to twelve years ago. The 4 GB VRAM on both listed GPUs is the practical floor, and you will not be VRAM-limited at 1080p given the game’s stylised, low-poly art direction. The 8 GB system RAM requirement is standard for modern PCs, and the 9 GB install size is one of the smallest of any 2026 release. bld4me’s benchmarking found that the game is “light enough to run 1080p on a GTX 1050 Ti,” which is below the official minimum, and described it as “the easiest-to-run game we’ve tested on the site”. If you own a gaming PC from the last eight to ten years with a 4 GB GPU and 8 GB of RAM, you will clear this bar.
Recommended (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64 Bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-7400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 or higher |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 560 |
| VRAM | Not listed separately; the GTX 1050 Ti ships with 4 GB, the RX 560 with 2 GB or 4 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 6 GB available space |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required for online co-op |
| Additional Notes | The official recommended GPU (GTX 1050 Ti) is weaker than the minimum GPU (GTX 970), which is an error in the specification. |
Source: Steam Support page for Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core, FHYX, and MMO13. Last verified: 2 October 2026.
What this means in practice: The recommended tier contains a clear error in the official specification: the recommended GPU is listed as a GTX 1050 Ti, which is a weaker card than the GTX 970 listed as the minimum. The recommended CPU (i5-7400 or Ryzen 5 2600) is a modest step up from the minimum, and the 8 GB RAM requirement is identical to the minimum, which confirms the game’s memory footprint does not scale meaningfully with graphical settings. bld4me’s analysis advises treating the recommended CPU and minimum GPU as the actual baseline for a smooth experience. The storage requirement is listed as 6 GB on some regional storefronts and 9 GB on others, which is a minor discrepancy worth noting. If you have a gaming PC from the last six to seven years with a mid-range GPU and 8 GB of RAM, you will meet whatever the developer actually intended the recommended tier to be.
A Note on VRAM and System RAM
The 4 GB VRAM floor on the GTX 970 and R9 290 is the practical GPU threshold, though bld4me’s testing found the game runs comfortably at 1080p on a GTX 1050 Ti with 3 GB or 4 GB. You will not encounter texture streaming issues or VRAM bottlenecks at 1080p given the game’s procedurally generated cave environments and stylised art. The 8 GB system RAM requirement is identical at both tiers, which means the game’s memory footprint is fixed regardless of settings. bld4me specifically noted that the game “slams the CPU pretty hard” and recommended grabbing “a chip a couple tiers above recommended to avoid bottlenecking,” which suggests the CPU, not the GPU or RAM, is the component most likely to limit performance.
PC Performance Reality: Read Before Buying
The official specifications describe a lightweight game, but the launch state of the Early Access build was genuinely poor. Playground.ru’s technical analysis reported that “frame rates behave extremely unstable even on powerful hardware, with RTX 40-series cards in standard HD resolution dropping to 40 FPS, especially in the character selection menu”, and noted that while patches improved the situation, “perfection is still far away”. The same outlet also identified a texture bug where enemies regularly get stuck in walls and textures, continuing to attack players from positions where they cannot be reached. Games.gg’s settings guide confirmed that “micro-stutters during large swarm attacks can ruin a game at the worst possible moment” and recommended lowering settings early. On the positive side, bld4me described the game as “insanely lightweight” and praised its broad hardware compatibility. If you are buying into Early Access, check the latest patch notes and Steam reviews for the current state, as Ghost Ship Games has been actively patching since launch.
Steam Deck
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Playable (Valve’s middle compatibility tier). Confirmed by Steambase, GamerScout, and SREC. |
| Performance | 60 fps and above during running and minor combat; drops below 45 fps during large enemy swarms, according to Steam Deck HQ’s launch-day testing. The game defaults to Low settings with resolution scale at 60% and no upscaling. The main hub area looks “extremely ugly” and “almost completely pixelated” at this setting, but the caves are not noticeably compromised. |
| Additional Notes | The game’s default graphics configuration performs well on Steam Deck. The game does not default to external Bluetooth or USB controllers on Deck and may require manually switching the active controller via the Quick Access Menu. The 9 GB install size makes it easy to keep installed. |
Source: Steam Deck HQ’s launch-day performance analysis, Steambase, GamerScout, and SREC. Last verified: 2 October 2026.
What this means in practice: Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core carries a Playable rating on Steam Deck, Valve’s middle compatibility tier rather than the full Verified badge. Steam Deck HQ’s launch-day testing found that “for the most part, running around and minor combat would stick to 60 FPS and above,” and that the game “looked and felt wonderful” in the caves, but that frame rates would dip during large swarms, dropping below 45 fps without ever going lower. The reviewer noted that “the main hub looks extremely ugly,” appearing “almost completely pixelated” at the default 60 percent resolution scale, though this becomes “not noticeable” once you are in the dark caves. The 9 GB install size makes it an easy game to keep installed. If you own a Steam Deck and enjoy co-op shooters, this is a functional portable experience with manageable caveats, though the hub’s visual quality is a rough first impression.
macOS and Linux: Listed by Third-Party Trackers, Not Confirmed on Steam
Steambase’s platform data lists Windows, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck (Playable) as supported systems for Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core. However, the official Steam store page lists Windows 10 64 Bit only, and Ghost Ship Games has not published separate macOS or Linux specifications. I am treating macOS and Linux as unconfirmed rather than fully supported. Steam Deck users play through SteamOS, and the Playable rating confirms that this compatibility layer works with the caveats noted above.
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2: Not Available
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is a PC-exclusive Early Access release. IGN’s release coverage confirms the game “will be available in Early Access on PC on May 20, 2026,” and GameInformer lists the platform as “PC” only. There is no PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or Switch 2 version, and Ghost Ship Games has not announced plans for any console ports. The developer has stated that Early Access is expected to last 18 to 24 months before the full 1.0 release. If you play primarily on a console, you cannot access Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core.
Price, Editions, and Content
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is priced at $29.99** on Steam, with a **10 percent discount** available when purchased through the **Deep Rock Galactic x Rogue Core bundle** at **$53.98. An Ultimate Reclaimer bundle is also available. The game includes five character classes (Gunner, Butcher, Recon, Warden, and Huntress), randomised weapon drops during runs, a permanent progression system with skill trees and cosmetic unlocks, and procedurally generated caves. The Early Access version is expected to receive new mechanics, content, and balancing updates based on player feedback, with the full version adding depth and breadth rather than changing the core quality.
Reception and Review Scores
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core has received mixed to negative user reviews in its first week of Early Access, holding a “Mostly Negative” rating on Steam with 16 percent positive reviews, according to Diershoubing’s launch coverage. The most common criticisms are the gameplay changes from the original DRG, particularly the removal of the traditional mining and resource-gathering loop, the hard class-gender restrictions (the Huntress can only be female, the Gunner can only be male), and the controversial mission timer and shared checkpoint system. Game8’s Early Access review noted that the game is “still stuck at the mantle” and that the developers have “stated that the game is expected to be in Early Access for 18 to 24 months”. TechPowerUp’s launch coverage confirmed the Early Access release and price point. The game’s Steam player count sits at approximately 1,892 concurrent players as of September 2026, according to Steambase.
Final Verdict: Can Your PC Run Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core?
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is a lightweight game with a troubled launch. The minimum spec asks for a Core i5 7th gen, 8 GB of RAM, and a GTX 970, which is hardware from 2014-2016, and bld4me’s benchmarking found the game runs comfortably at 1080p on a GTX 1050 Ti, which is below the official minimum. The 9 GB install size is tiny, and there is no SSD requirement. If you own a gaming PC built in the last eight to ten years with a 4 GB GPU and 8 GB of RAM, you can run this game at 1080p.
The recommended tier contains an error: the listed GTX 1050 Ti is weaker than the minimum GTX 970. bld4me advises treating the recommended CPU and minimum GPU as the actual baseline and recommends stepping up “a couple tiers” on the CPU to avoid bottlenecking, since the game “slams the CPU pretty hard”. Do not overspend on a GPU for this game; the CPU is the component that matters most for consistent frame rates during swarm encounters.
The PC performance reality is the biggest caveat. The game launched with unstable frame rates even on RTX 40-series hardware and enemies getting stuck in walls. Ghost Ship Games has been patching actively, but the Early Access build is rough. On Steam Deck, the game is Playable and runs at 60 fps in minor combat and cave exploration, but drops below 45 fps during large swarms and looks “extremely ugly” in the hub area at the default resolution scale. There are no console versions. The game holds a “Mostly Negative” Steam rating at launch, and the most common criticisms are the removal of the original DRG mining loop, the class-gender restrictions, and the mission timer system. This is a game to buy only if you are comfortable with an Early Access title that is still finding its identity.
Specs and performance may be revised by Ghost Ship Games throughout the 18 to 24 month Early Access period, and the developer has already released multiple patches since the 20 May 2026 launch. This article reflects the Steam store page, Steam Support page, PCGameBenchmark, Vandal, FHYX, MMO13, Steam Deck HQ’s launch-day performance analysis, Steambase, GamerScout, SREC, bld4me’s GPU benchmarks, Playground.ru‘s technical analysis, Games.gg‘s settings guide, Game8’s Early Access review, IGN’s release coverage, GameInformer, Diershoubing’s launch coverage, and verified outlet reports as of 2 October 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.