How Big Is Ardem?
Last verified 20 August 2026 against the official Steam store page and playardem.com.
Steam lists 50 GB of available storage as required for Ardem, in both the minimum and recommended specs. That figure covers the Early Access build of the 64 km² Minnowa map. Plan for more — leave 70–80 GB free so Steam has room to stage patches, and use an SSD.
Ardem's install footprint is one of the few hard numbers Techtive Games has published, and it is worth a page of its own because 50 GB is a real constraint on laptops, Steam Decks and older SSDs.
Official storage requirement
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Required storage (minimum spec) | 50 GB available space |
| Required storage (recommended spec) | 50 GB available space |
| SSD required? | Not mandated — strongly advised |
| Practical free space to keep | 70–80 GB (patch staging headroom) |
| Playtest build size | Expected to be similar — same world and systems |
| Platform | Windows and SteamOS/Linux |
Why 50 GB for an indie survival game
Because Minnowa is 64 km² and fully handcrafted. That distinction matters for install size in a way most players do not think about. A procedurally generated world ships a small set of building blocks and assembles them at runtime; a hand-built world ships every unique asset placed in it. Techtive Games has confirmed hundreds of unique locations placed by hand — towns, farms, industrial estates, abandoned malls, military compounds, bunkers and caves.
Add to that the systems the studio lists as already implemented: base building with hundreds of decorative items, vehicles with modules and attachments, weapon customisation, clothing and armour, and 31 supported languages with audio and subtitle options. 50 GB stops looking large fairly quickly.
Expect it to grow
50 GB is the figure for the Early Access build. Techtive Games' long-term plans include world expansion, the large main city that is explicitly not in Early Access, boats, aircraft, seasons and continued vehicle and weapon content. Survival games in active Early Access typically grow substantially over their development period, so treat 50 GB as a floor rather than a ceiling.
SSD versus hard drive
Steam does not list an SSD as required. Install it on one anyway. Ardem streams terrain and assets continuously as you move through a large open world, and that is precisely the access pattern mechanical drives handle worst — the symptom is not a longer loading screen, it is textures and geometry arriving late while you are driving. Given that repairing a vehicle is a core goal, driving performance is not a niche concern.
If your only spare space is on a mechanical drive, an external SSD over USB 3.0 or better is a genuinely better option.
Steam Deck and small drives
50 GB is a serious commitment on a 256 GB Steam Deck, where the OS and existing library are already competing for space. If you intend to try Ardem on Deck during the October playtest, plan the space in advance — and prefer the internal SSD or a fast microSD card over a slow one. Compatibility detail: does Ardem work on Steam Deck.
Playtest download size
Techtive Games has not published a separate figure for the playtest build. Since the playtest runs the same Minnowa world and the same core systems, expect it in the same range rather than a trimmed-down slice. Free up the space before 15 October so the download is not what keeps you out on day one — see how to join the Ardem playtest.
Related requirements
Storage is only one constraint. Ardem also needs 16 GB of RAM minimum, an RTX 2060 or RX 5600 XT, DirectX 12 and a permanent internet connection even in solo play. Full breakdown: Ardem system requirements.
Key takeaways
- Steam lists 50 GB of required storage for Ardem, in both spec tiers.
- Keep 70–80 GB free so Steam has room to stage patches.
- An SSD is not mandated but is strongly advised for a continuously streaming open world.
- Expect the playtest build to be a similar size — it uses the same Minnowa world.
- 50 GB is the Early Access figure and should be expected to grow.
Frequently asked questions
How many GB is Ardem?
50 GB required storage according to the Steam store page.
Will the Ardem playtest be the same size?
Expect it to be similar. The playtest uses the same handcrafted world, so the bulk of the install is identical.
Can I install Ardem on an external drive?
Yes, via a Steam library folder — but use an external SSD over USB 3.0 or better, not a mechanical drive.
Does the 50 GB include future updates?
No. 50 GB is the stated requirement for the Early Access build. Techtive Games plans world expansion, a large main city, boats and aircraft, so expect that figure to grow over Early Access.
How long will Ardem take to download?
Roughly 45 minutes on a 150 Mbps connection, or about 12 minutes on a gigabit line, assuming Steam saturates your link. Slower connections should start the download well before a playtest opens.