- Westlanders system requirements have not been fully published yet, as the game is still in early playtesting.
- Expected range: a mid-range gaming PC from the last several years should run the playtest comfortably.
- Key advice: check the official Steam store page for the latest spec list before installing.
- Playtest note: early builds may contain bugs and performance dips that will improve before release.
- Best setup: SSD storage, 16 GB RAM, and a dedicated GPU for smooth settlement building.
Westlanders System Requirements: Current Status
Westlanders is an upcoming survival and automation game set in the 1800s, published by Team17 and wishlistable on Steam. Because the game is still in an early playtest phase, the development team has not finalized a full official system requirements table. Hardware demands may shift as optimization work continues through playtests and toward full release.
Video Highlights:
- Early playtest sponsored by Team17 showing survival and automation systems
- Set in the 1800s with outposts, workers, and logistics networks
- No dedicated tutorial in the playtest, so expect a hands-on learning curve
- Best experienced in multiplayer with friends
- Performance is early-stage, with bugs expected in the current build
The playtest is open to everyone for a limited window, which means anyone with a Steam account can test whether their machine handles the current build. This makes the playtest itself the most reliable way to verify whether your hardware meets the Westlanders system requirements for now.
Any numbers circulating before release are unofficial. Always confirm requirements on the official Steam store page for Westlanders, since early-access survival games frequently change their listed minimum and recommended specs between updates.
Expected Hardware Targets (Unofficial Estimates)
Since no official requirement table has been confirmed, the following estimates are based on the game's genre, the scope of its open valley map, and comparable survival-building titles in the same bracket. Treat these as planning targets rather than guaranteed specs.
| Tier | Estimated CPU | Estimated RAM | Estimated GPU | Expected Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Quad-core CPU, ~3.0 GHz | 8 GB | Entry-level dedicated GPU | Playable at low settings, reduced draw distance |
| Recommended | 6-core modern CPU | 16 GB | Mid-range dedicated GPU | Smooth 60 FPS at 1080p high settings |
| Comfortable | 8-core CPU | 16 GB+ | Upper mid-range GPU | Stable framerates with large settlements and many workers |
A few hardware factors matter more than usual for Westlanders specifically:
- CPU load: Automated workers, logistics hauling between outposts, and growing settlements all add simulation load, which leans on the processor.
- RAM: Large builds with many active workers and production chains benefit from 16 GB.
- Storage: An SSD noticeably reduces load times when exploring the valley and entering settlements.
- GPU: The 1800s frontier setting is not hyper-demanding visually, but dense settlement builds will push mid-range cards at higher settings.
The open playtest is the best real-world test. Install it, load a lakeside settlement with several workers, and watch your framerate. If that scene runs smoothly, you are well prepared for release.
Step-by-Step: Check and Prepare Your PC
Verify on Steam First
Open the official Westlanders Steam store page and read the system requirements section. This is the authoritative source once the developers publish or update specs.
Compare Your Specs
Use a tool such as the built-in Windows "About your PC" panel or a free utility to list your CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage type, then match them against the tiers above.
Update Drivers and OS
Install the latest GPU drivers from NVIDIA or AMD and confirm your OS version is current. Early playtest builds are especially sensitive to outdated drivers.
Install to an SSD
If you have both an SSD and HDD, install Westlanders on the SSD to cut loading times when traveling between outposts and settlements.
Test with the Playtest
Launch the playtest, build a small settlement with a few automated workers, and monitor framerate and stability before judging whether upgrades are needed.
The playtest is best played in multiplayer. Hosting a session with friends typically adds modest load on the host's machine, so hosts should aim for the recommended tier rather than minimum.
Settings Tips for Smooth Performance
If your machine sits near the minimum bracket, these adjustments deliver the biggest gains in survival-building games like Westlanders.
| Setting | Performance Impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Draw distance | High | Medium; keeps distant terrain and outposts visible without heavy cost |
| Shadows | High | Medium or low; shadows are costly in settlement-dense scenes |
| Texture quality | Low to medium | Match to VRAM; 4 GB VRAM handles medium at 1080p |
| Anti-aliasing | Medium | FXAA or TAA instead of heavier modes |
| VSync | Low | Off if you use a high-refresh monitor; on to fix screen tearing |
Low-End Builds
- Target 720p-1080p low settings
- Close background apps
- Cap framerate at 30-60 FPS
Mid-Range Builds
- Target 1080p high settings
- 16 GB RAM recommended
- SSD install for fast travel loads
High-End Builds
- Target 1440p+ max settings
- Strong CPU for large worker counts
- Room for future graphical updates
Early playtests are unoptimized by nature. A build that stutters today may run smoothly after a few patches, so do not rush into hardware purchases based solely on playtest performance.
Pre-Release Preparation Checklist
Before the Next Playtest or Release:
- Check the official Steam page for published system requirements
- Confirm at least 16 GB RAM if you run large settlements
- Install the game on an SSD
- Update GPU drivers to the latest version
- Wishlist Westlanders on Steam for playtest announcements
One additional note on gameplay preparation: the playtest includes no dedicated tutorial, so learning the basics early — stat management, the technology screen (accessed with Tab), and caravan repair — will let you spend your playtest time testing performance rather than figuring out survival basics.
FAQ
Q: Are official Westlanders system requirements available yet?
Not in a finalized form. Westlanders is still in early playtesting, so the developers have not locked in a complete official spec table. The official Steam store page is the place to watch for confirmed minimum and recommended requirements as release approaches.
Q: Can a low-end PC run the Westlanders playtest?
A mid-tier PC from the past several years should handle the playtest at lowered settings. Because the build is early and unoptimized, expect occasional bugs and performance dips regardless of hardware, and use the free playtest to test your own machine directly.
Q: Does Westlanders need a strong CPU or GPU more?
Based on its automation and settlement systems, the CPU likely matters more over time. Many automated workers, logistics hauling between outposts, and large settlements add simulation load, so a modern 6-core processor is a safer investment than a top-tier GPU.
Q: How much RAM do I need for Westlanders system requirements?
Until official numbers arrive, 16 GB is the practical target. Survival-building games with automation systems tend to scale memory usage with settlement size and worker count, and 16 GB gives comfortable headroom for multiplayer sessions.