0 A.D.: a free, open-source strategy game for Windows, Mac and Linux
0 A.D. is a free, open-source strategy game of ancient warfare for Windows, macOS and Linux. Its overview says there is no freemium model and no in-game advertising.
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Official game screenshot
What it is
0 A.D. is a game for Windows, Mac and Linux computers. The project's overview page calls it "a free, open-source, historical Real Time Strategy (RTS) game" made by Wildfire Games, "a global group of volunteer game developers". You lead an ancient civilisation, gather resources, build a city and raise an army. The features page says each civilisation has its own units, buildings and technologies, and that some soldiers can also gather resources and build. It is not an AI tool. We included it as a free game for a computer.
Is it free?
Yes. The project overview says: "0 A.D. is completely downloadable at no cost and always will be. No 'freemium' model, no in-game advertising, no catch." It adds that you may find people selling copies, but you can always download it free from the developers. Code is under the GPL and artwork under CC BY-SA, per the site.
What you need
- Windows: the download page lists Windows 10 or 11, a 3 GHz processor, at least 2 GB memory, a graphics card with OpenGL 2.1 and 128 MB memory, a 1024x768 screen and 4 GB of disk space.
- macOS: 10.15+ on Intel or 11.0 on M1 and later, with 4 GB of disk space.
- Linux: a 2 GHz processor, at least 1 GB memory, the same graphics and screen needs, and 4 GB of disk space.
- Download size: the Windows page offers a 64-bit installer of 1.542 GB, shown with a torrent link and a direct download link.
What to watch out for
- Big download. Around 1.5 GB for Windows, per the download page.
- Computer only. We saw downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux, and none for phones.
- Still being developed. The release post from 18 February 2026 says Release 28 is "our first release without the Alpha label". The download page still warns it is an early version where bugs such as lag with many units may exist. The overview page still says alpha, so the site is not consistent.
- Game manual. The site has a game manual category. We did not read it.
- Multiplayer. The release post mentions hosting matches. We did not check how online play works.
Privacy and data
- The site's legal notice has a privacy statement. It says Wildfire Games may collect what you give it when you register on the website or its forums and mailing lists, and may use it to run the site and send emails. It says it will not be responsible for other websites' practices.
- That statement is about the website. We did not find a separate statement about what the game itself sends over the internet, so we cannot say.
India
- We saw no region limit and no price. We did not test download speed from India. The Windows page offers a torrent download and a direct one.
Frequently asked questions
Is 0 A.D. free?
Yes, per its overview: no cost, no in-game ads, no freemium model.
Does it run on a phone?
We saw no phone version on the site.
What does the name mean?
The overview says "0 A.D." is a time period that never existed, since the usual calendar goes from 1 B.C. to 1 A.D.
Is the game finished?
Release 28 is the first without the Alpha label, per the project, but the download page still warns of bugs.
Sources: 0 A.D. home, Project overview, Features, Download, Legal notices. Checked 18 October 2026.
Independent guide, not affiliated.
Scoped recheck 23 October 2026: project overview, features, download pages, Release 28 post and legal notice re-read. Release 28 "Boiorix" (18 February 2026) is still the current release; the Windows page still offers the 64-bit 1.542 GB installer with torrent and direct links; system requirements, the early-version lag warning and the "no freemium model, no in-game advertising, no catch" line are unchanged. Code GPL v2 and artwork CC BY-SA 3.0 still stated. Links checked.