Why so many are desktop-only
A recurring feature of this category is that the games run on desktop and laptop computers rather than phones, tablets or web browsers. There are practical reasons. A team-versus-team war game renders detailed environments, tracks many moving units at once, and expects precise control from a mouse and keyboard. That combination of graphical work and input precision suits a full computer, with its dedicated processor, memory and graphics hardware, far better than a phone. The game client is also large and updates often, which again assumes the storage and bandwidth of a computer rather than a mobile connection.
This is not a universal rule — some titles in the wider games market are built for phones from the start — but within the naval, armoured and air-combat families it is common enough to treat as the default. If a game in this category exists as a desktop client, assume that is where it is meant to be played, and check for a mobile version separately rather than assuming one exists.
What "Windows and macOS" really means
When a game says it supports Windows and macOS, it means the publisher provides and maintains a version for each of those operating systems, tested against the versions they name. It does not mean any Windows or Mac computer will run it well — hardware still matters, which is what the stated requirements are for. It also does not mean the two versions are always identical in timing; publishers occasionally update one platform slightly ahead of the other. For the great majority of players, though, "Windows and macOS" simply means: if you are on a reasonably modern computer running one of those systems, there is a supported version for you.
Why some titles skip Linux
Linux is a capable operating system with a devoted following, and yet many games in this category are not offered for it. The reason is mostly economic rather than technical. Building, testing and supporting a separate native version for an operating system with a smaller share of the gaming market is a cost a publisher may decide not to carry. Some Linux users run Windows games through compatibility layers, but that is unofficial: if a publisher says its game is not supported on Linux, then problems on Linux are not something it undertakes to help with. World of Warships, the title covered on this site, is offered for Windows and macOS and is not provided for Linux; that is stated plainly on its page here and on the vendor's own site.
If you use Linux
Where a publisher states that Linux is not supported, treat that as final for planning purposes. Unofficial workarounds exist but carry no support, no guarantee of stability, and no recourse if they stop working after an update.
Reading a game's requirements
Publishers usually list two sets of requirements, and knowing what each means avoids disappointment.
- Minimum requirements
- The floor. A computer meeting these should be able to start and run the game, but perhaps only at lower settings and frame rates. Think of it as "will function", not "will feel good".
- Recommended requirements
- The comfortable target. A computer at or above this level should run the game smoothly at reasonable settings. This is the figure to aim for if you have a choice.
Both sets typically name four things: the processor (CPU), the amount of memory (RAM), the graphics hardware (GPU), and the free disk space needed. They will also name the operating system versions supported. Match your computer against all of these, not just one — a fast processor cannot make up for too little memory or an unsupported graphics chip.
Checking your own computer
You do not need to be technical to check whether your computer meets a game's requirements. Both major operating systems make the key figures easy to find.
- Find your operating system version. On Windows, open Settings and look under "System" then "About". On macOS, choose "About This Mac" from the Apple menu. Confirm it is a version the game lists as supported.
- Note your processor and memory. The same "About" screens show your processor (CPU) and installed memory (RAM). Write them down.
- Identify your graphics hardware. On Windows, "Display" settings and the "Advanced display" link show your graphics adapter; on macOS, "About This Mac" lists the graphics chip. Compare it against the game's named GPU.
- Check free disk space. Clients are large and grow with updates. Make sure you have comfortably more free space than the requirement states.
- Compare against the recommended set. If you meet or exceed the recommended requirements, expect a good experience. If you only meet the minimum, expect it to run but be ready to lower settings.
Connection and region
Because these are online games, your internet connection matters as much as your hardware. Two things are worth checking. First, a stable connection matters more than a fast one — a game exchanges small amounts of data continuously, so consistency beats raw speed. Second, for players in Australia, the physical location of the game's servers affects responsiveness: a title with servers closer to the region will generally feel more responsive than one whose nearest server is overseas. This is the "ping" idea defined on the key terms page, and it is a fair question to ask before committing time to a game, since it is not something you can change from your end.