ArcheAge Chronicles hits Early Access: PC requirements and which GPUs run it

ArcheAge Chronicles, XLGAMES’ open-world MMORPG with action combat, enters Steam Early Access today, November 3, at 3:00 PM PST, for $29.99. It’s buy-to-play, not free-to-play, and its requirements are steep for the genre. The minimum already asks for 16 GB of RAM and an SSD, and the recommended spec goes up to 32 GB.

ArcheAge Chronicles PC requirements

These are the official requirements from the Steam page:

Both tiers use DirectX 12. The minimum targets 30 fps at 1080p on Low settings, with upscaling set to Quality mode. The recommended targets 60 fps at 1080p on High settings, also with upscaling on Quality. In other words, even the recommended spec assumes you turn upscaling on. For now the game is Windows only.

Which GPUs run it

Watch the minimum: it asks for an RTX 2060 SUPER, not the regular RTX 2060. On our list, the RTX 2060 falls below the minimum, as do the GTX 1660 Super and the Arc B580.

• Clear the minimum: the RTX 3060 and RX 7600 get there with a D, and the RTX 4060 with a C. Grades are measured against the recommended requirement, so you can play, but with little headroom.
• Clear the recommended: the RTX 5070 and RX 9070 XT, both grading B against the recommended.

Memory matters too. Our grades assume 16 GB of RAM, which covers the minimum. The recommended spec, however, asks for 32 GB.

Steam Deck and what to know before you jump in

Valve has not verified ArcheAge Chronicles for the Steam Deck yet. Our spec-based estimate gives it an F and puts it below the minimum. You’ll find more on its Steam Deck page.

Before you make a character, check these points from the official notices:

• No server transfers during Early Access, and players on different servers can’t play together. If you’re playing with friends, pick the same server.
• There is a Brazil server, but for now it’s listed under the NA category in the server selection menu.
• Fixes since the demo: on first launch you now see a shader compilation screen instead of a black screen. If upscaling or frame generation doesn’t work on your system, the game switches the setting automatically and lets you know. Multi-monitor support and fullscreen switching are also improved, and the game no longer fails to launch alongside certain antivirus software.

Early Access covers three regions of Auroria.

Can your PC run ArcheAge Chronicles?

Here’s how your PC grades against ArcheAge Chronicles, Dune: Awakening and ARK: Survival Ascended, two other demanding open worlds:

Game	Rec. GPU score	Rec. RAM	Min. RAM	Your PC
ArcheAge Chronicles	22,650	32 GB	16 GB	?
Dune: Awakening	21,750	16 GB	16 GB	?
ARK: Survival Ascended	22,650	32 GB	16 GB	?

If you come up short, the full game page shows how your PC stacks up and what you’re missing.

Sources: ArcheAge Chronicles on Steam, Release date and pre-orders, Letter from Producer Ham, Server transfers and cross-server play, New Brazil server, Early Access content and pricing