Playing StarCraft Remastered on macOS and Linux | Generated by AI
That is a great question! The good news is that you absolutely can play the classic game on both macOS and Ubuntu/Linux in 2025, but you will be using the modern release, StarCraft: Remastered.
Here is a breakdown of the best ways to get back into the game on your current operating systems:
🍎 For macOS (The Simplest Way)
The original StarCraft game was officially re-released as StarCraft: Remastered, and the best part is that Blizzard provides a native macOS version.
- Download Battle.net: Go to the official Blizzard website and download the Battle.net Desktop App for Mac.
- Install the Game: Open the Battle.net app, log in (or create a free account), and find StarCraft: Remastered in your library.
- Play: Install the game. The original StarCraft and its expansion, Brood War, are actually available to play for free within the Remastered client, even without purchasing the paid HD graphics upgrade. You can switch between the old-school 1998 look and the Remastered 4K look.
- Note: On newer Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs, it runs through Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation layer, but generally performs very well.
🐧 For Ubuntu/Linux (Using Compatibility Layers)
Since Blizzard does not offer a native Linux version, you will use a Windows compatibility layer like Wine or one of its wrappers (Lutris or Steam/Proton). This is a well-established method for gaming on Linux.
Option 1: Using Lutris (Recommended for Battle.net)
Lutris is a dedicated game manager for Linux that simplifies the process of running Windows games.
- Install Lutris: Install the Lutris client using your Ubuntu package manager.
- Use the StarCraft Script: Search for StarCraft: Remastered on the Lutris website. Lutris provides pre-configured installation scripts that handle the Battle.net client and Wine setup automatically.
- Install and Play: Run the script, and you can install and launch the game directly from the Lutris client.
Option 2: Using Steam/Proton (Simple for General Users)
If you already use Steam, this can also be very simple:
- Install Steam: Install Steam on your Ubuntu system.
- Install Battle.net via Steam:
- Download the Windows Battle.net-Setup.exe file from Blizzard’s website.
- In the Steam client, go to Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library… and select the
.exefile. - Right-click the new Battle.net entry in your Steam Library, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool,” selecting Proton Experimental.
- Run it, install Battle.net, and then install StarCraft: Remastered through the Battle.net app.
In summary:
| OS | Method | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Native Battle.net App | Very Easy |
| Ubuntu | Lutris or Steam/Proton (using Wine) | Medium |
Do you have any questions about the setup process on a specific operating system, or would you like a link to one of the installation guides?