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Embers of the Uncrowned is a PC-only release at launch, with published Minimum and Recommended hardware targets. The Minimum tier covers what is needed to run the client; the Recommended tier covers a smoother experience at higher settings. For wider context, see Platforms and Release and Getting Started.
Minimum vs Recommended
Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
Operating System | Windows 11 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
Processor | Intel Core i5-3570 or AMD FX-8350 | Intel Core i5-9600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X |
Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, AMD Radeon RX 580, or Intel Arc A380 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, or Intel Arc A770 |
DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
Storage | 30 GB available space | 30 GB available space |
Network | Broadband Internet connection | Broadband Internet connection |
Anti-Cheat | Kernel-level NGS | Kernel-level NGS |
Operating System and Anti-Cheat
Windows 11 (64-bit) is required for both tiers. Older versions of Windows are not supported, and there is no listing for macOS, Linux, or Steam Deck (Proton) at this time.
The game ships with a kernel-level anti-cheat solution called NGS, which loads a driver alongside the client. Kernel-level drivers can conflict with other low-level software such as virtualization tools, overclocking utilities, or competing anti-cheat clients. NGS is mandatory for online play.
Supported Languages
At announcement, six languages are listed as supported:
English
Simplified Chinese
Russian
German
Spanish
Portuguese
English is listed as the only language with full audio support; the other five are text. Other locales may be added between the demo and full launch, but only the six above are confirmed today.
Storage and AI Disclosure
Both tiers list the same install size: 30 GB of available drive space. An SSD is not formally required, but is strongly advised. Treat 30 GB as the launch-day baseline rather than a ceiling, since patches and expansions will grow it.
The official listing also carries an AI-generated content disclosure. The developer indicates that AI tooling may be used to support in-game visual content creation, marketing materials, live chat translation features, and partial in-game dialogue and script localization. This is informational only and does not change what the player installs.
Practical Notes
The Minimum CPU targets are several generations old, which suggests the game scales down to aging rigs at lower settings.
The Recommended GPU pair is roughly the 2019 upper-mid tier, a sensible target for 1080p high settings.
Doubling memory from 8 GB to 16 GB is the biggest jump between tiers; multiplayer zones and raids benefit most from the headroom.
The game is online-only and requires a broadband Internet connection. The development team has confirmed full gamepad input support on PC: dodging, skill combos, and stagger punishes all work with a controller, while keyboard and mouse remain fully supported. Some controllers may have limited compatibility.
For demo notes during the free trial, see Steam Next Fest Demo.
What Each Tier Targets
The published Minimum and Recommended tiers describe two different player experiences rather than two different versions of the game. Reading them as targets, not strict gates, helps set expectations before the Steam Next Fest Demo opens.
Tier | What It Targets | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|
Minimum | Running the client at a stable frame rate on lower graphics presets, likely 1080p with reduced effects. | The CPU pair (Core i5-3570 / FX-8350) and GPU pair (GTX 1060 / RX 580) are roughly 2017-era hardware. Players on rigs that meet only Minimum should plan on dialing crowd density, shadow detail, and effect quality down in zones with many other players. |
Recommended | A smoother experience at higher graphics presets at 1080p, with headroom for the busiest multiplayer zones. | The CPU pair (Core i5-9600 / Ryzen 5 2600X) and GPU pair (RTX 2060 / RX 5700 XT) are roughly 2019-era upper-mid-range hardware. Comfortably handles raids and dense settlement scenes at high settings. |
Beyond Recommended | Higher resolutions, higher framerates, max settings without compromise. | The studio has not published 4K, ultrawide, 120Hz+, or HDR specifics. Treat targets above Recommended as enthusiast territory until the demo provides hands-on data. |
NGS Anti-Cheat Notes
Embers of the Uncrowned ships with NEXON's NGS, a kernel-level anti-cheat driver. Kernel-level drivers load before the operating system finishes booting the user environment, which lets them inspect game memory and catch tampering, but they also have a few practical consequences worth understanding before the demo launches.
First-launch installation. NGS installs alongside the game client on first run. A reboot may be required before the title can be played.
Conflicts with virtualization. Hyper-V, WSL2, Memory Integrity, and some Windows features that rely on virtualization can interfere with kernel-level anti-cheat drivers. If the client refuses to start, disabling these features in Windows is a common first remediation.
Conflicts with other anti-cheat clients. Running competing kernel-level clients alongside NGS at the same time is a known source of conflicts in the wider PC games market. Closing other titles before launching is a reasonable habit.
Compatibility with overclocking tools and hardware monitors. Some low-level monitoring utilities are flagged by kernel anti-cheat solutions. If the client reports an unexpected block, closing such utilities and relaunching is the standard first check.
Required for online play. NGS is not optional. The game has online PvP and co-op as core modes and the anti-cheat driver is required to participate in those.
Steam Deck and Linux
As of announcement the Steam store page lists Windows 11 (64-bit) only. There is no macOS or Linux build, no Steam Deck Verified badge, and the kernel-level NGS anti-cheat driver is a known incompatibility with Proton's compatibility layer on Steam Deck. Players who hope to play on a Deck or on a Linux desktop should not plan around the demo or full launch supporting that configuration until the studio publishes a specific Deck or Proton statement.