About
Mindustry is a free and open-source factory-building tower defense game developed by Anuken. Players mine resources, build automated production lines, and construct defensive towers to repel waves of enemies across a variety of campaign and custom maps. The game features extensive mod support, a built-in map editor, and cross-platform online multiplayer. It has been continuously updated since its early access release and has attracted a large modding community. The free version on itch.io and GitHub is feature-complete and identical to the Steam release in gameplay.
Identity
Launch
- Binary
- Mindustry.jar
- Options
- java -jar Mindustry.jar
- Needs files
- none beyond the binary
Runtime
- Runs as
- Native Linux
- Proton
- not needed
⚙ Setup notes
Native: A native Linux build is available free from itch.io (anuke.itch.io/mindustry) and GitHub Releases (github.com/Anuken/Mindustry/releases). No Proton needed.
Builds: The itch.io download ([Linux-64bit]Mindustry.zip) provides a ready-to-run Linux package. The GitHub release ships only .jar files (Mindustry.jar, server-release.jar, etc.) — there is no standalone binary or AppImage; the jar is run via java -jar Mindustry.jar.
Install: On Steam Deck, the simplest free route is the itch.io ZIP (extract and add as a non-Steam game). If you use the GitHub Mindustry.jar, you must install a JRE first (see Java note).
Java: The GitHub .jar requires a separately installed Java Runtime (JRE 17+) — it is not bundled. Run with java -jar Mindustry.jar. The itch.io package and the Steam version do not need a manual JRE install.
Steam: The game is also on Steam (paid, AppID 1127400) if you prefer a managed, auto-updating install — the easiest option on Deck.
The one thing to know
Use the Linux build — the free GitHub release is Mindustry.jar (run via java -jar Mindustry.jar, requires a JRE 17+ installed), or grab the itch.io [Linux-64bit]Mindustry.zip which needs no manual Java setup. No Proton needed — the game is native Linux.
Steam: The Steam version (paid, AppID 1127400) auto-updates and bundles its runtime, so it is usually the easiest option on Deck.
Controller: Gamepad support exists but the UI is built for mouse/keyboard; trackpad or touchscreen recommended for menus. Many players prefer adding a Steam Input layout when running as a non-Steam game.
Community guides
Write-ups and threads from people who got this (or a similar) game running. deckport links to them — it doesn't reproduce them.
Get the artwork
deckport never hosts game images. Open this game on SteamGridDB, pick
the cover / hero / logo / icon you like, and drop them into the
game folder under .deckport-art/ before you push it to the
Deck. The importer files them under the right names automatically.
Run it on your Deck
Two files: the one-time importer (deckport.py) in your
Deck's home folder, and this game's install helper. Copy the game
into ~/Games and run the helper with Steam closed — it
writes the recipe (binary, launch options)
and registers the shortcut with artwork.