Official purchase and download routes
| Route | What it is for | Current guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Official Vintage Story store | Direct game-account purchase | Preferred source for the live price and current offer |
| Humble Store | Authorized third-party purchase | Use the redemption instructions supplied with the purchase |
| Game Account Manager | Downloads and game-account access | Use this after purchase to obtain the current installer or archive |
| itch.io | Historical creator page | Purchasing is currently disabled there; do not rely on it as a live purchase route |
| Steam | Not available | Vintage Story is not currently sold on Steam |
The official store warns that only sellers listed by Vintage Story should be treated as authorized. A cheap key from an unrelated marketplace can be fraudulent and may later be disabled if it was originally purchased with stolen payment information.
Buy and install step by step
- Open the live store. Check the current price, currency, tax treatment, and payment options on the official purchase page. Do not rely on an old article or screenshot for pricing.
- Complete the purchase. Follow the store’s current checkout flow. If you buy through an authorized external seller, keep its receipt and redemption instructions.
- Create or redeem the game account. Vintage Story’s forum/site account and the game account are separate systems. Follow the link supplied after purchase so the license is attached to the account used by the game client.
- Sign in to the Account Manager. Open the official account site with the game-account credentials, not merely a forum login.
- Choose the recommended stable download. The verified stable release is 1.22.5. Use an older build only when you have a specific compatibility reason, such as joining a server that has not updated.
- Select the correct operating-system package. The game supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Follow the platform-specific package labels in the download area rather than assuming a Windows installer will work elsewhere.
- Install and launch the game. Sign in with the game account when prompted. Keep the installer or archive only if you want an offline copy for reinstalling that exact version.
Before you update
Stable releases are the appropriate default for normal play, but an update can still affect mods or long-running worlds. Use this short pre-update check:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Back up important worlds | A backup gives you a recovery point if an update, mod, or configuration change causes trouble |
| Check server version | Client and server versions should match for multiplayer |
| Review installed mods | A mod built for an older game version may fail after the game updates |
| Keep enough free disk space | Updates and world backups need room to complete safely |
| Read the official release notes | Stable labels, hotfixes, and known changes are documented there |
Version 1.22.5 is especially important for multiplayer administrators. The official v1.22.4/5 announcement describes 1.22.4 as a server-safety release and then adds 1.22.5 to repair trader interactions broken by 1.22.4. Install 1.22.5 rather than stopping at 1.22.4.
Platform notes
Windows: The normal installation includes both the game client and VintagestoryServer.exe. User data, saves, logs, and manually installed mods are stored separately from the core program files.
macOS: Download the current macOS build shown in the Account Manager and confirm that your Mac meets the requirements on the official system-requirements page. Follow the package label supplied by the current download area rather than an older installation guide.
Linux: Use the current Linux client archive for regular play. A separate server-only archive is available for dedicated Linux hosting. Do not substitute an outdated command copied from an old guide for the current link shown in the Account Manager.
Common purchase and download questions
Is Vintage Story on Steam?
No. The official FAQ says the team may consider Steam when the game is mostly complete, but there is no current Steam release.
Is there a console or mobile version?
No native console or mobile release is currently confirmed. The official FAQ says the team hopes to support consoles someday and describes a mobile port as unlikely; neither statement is a release announcement.
Is the game finished?
It remains in Early Access because the full development vision is not complete. The developer nevertheless describes it as fully playable, with progression from the Stone Age through the Steel Age and substantial story content.
Where do I see the current price?
Use the live official store. Currency, tax, regional options, and product packaging can change, so this guide does not freeze a price in text.
Why does my forum password not work in the game?
The forum account and game account are separate. Use the credentials created through the purchase or redemption flow, and use the Account Manager’s recovery options for game-account problems.
Can I download an older version?
The Account Manager exposes additional downloads. Older builds are mainly useful for server or mod compatibility. For a new unmodded game, choose the recommended stable build.