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wtf is cataclysm-dda?

cleverraven/cataclysm-dda — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-06-24

★ 12,323C++Audience · generalComplexity · 4/5LicenseSetup · hard

TL;DR

A free, open-source turn-based survival game set in a zombie apocalypse with a procedurally generated world, available with graphical tiles or classic text graphics on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((Cataclysm DDA))
    What it does
      Turn-based survival
      Procedural world
      Zombie apocalypse
      Modding support
    Tech Stack
      C++
      CMake
      SDL2
      MSYS2
    Use Cases
      Free PC gaming
      JSON modding
      Community contributing
    Audience
      Gamers
      Modders
      C++ contributors

Code map

Detail Auto

An interactive map of this repo's files and how they connect — its source is parsed live in your browser. Click Visualize to build it.

filefunction / class

Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Play a free, deep survival game on Windows, macOS, or Linux using a pre-built download.

REASON 2

Create a JSON content mod that adds new items, creatures, or map tiles to the game.

REASON 3

Contribute code, translations, or bug reports to an active open-source game with over 1000 contributors.

REASON 4

Build the game from source to run the latest experimental features before a stable release.

What's in the stack?

C++CMakeSDL2MSYS2

How it stacks up

cleverraven/cataclysm-ddaautohotkey/autohotkeydaybreak-u/chineseocr_lite
Stars12,32312,35512,285
LanguageC++C++C++
Setup difficultyhardhardmoderate
Complexity4/54/53/5
Audiencegeneraldeveloperdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1h+

Pre-built downloads are easy, building from source requires a C++ toolchain with platform-specific guides for Linux, macOS, MSYS2, or Visual Studio.

You can freely use, share, and modify this game and its content as long as you credit the original creators and share your changes under the same license.

Wtf does this do

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a free, open-source turn-based survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world. The game drops you into a procedurally generated world where civilization has collapsed, and you have to find food, supplies, and shelter while dealing with zombies, giant insects, killer robots, and other threats. The world persists between play sessions, so choices you make have lasting consequences. The game has two visual modes: a tiles version with graphical sprites and an older text-based terminal version using characters to represent everything on screen. Both run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Pre-built downloads are available on the official website and through several Linux package managers including Arch Linux, Fedora, Debian/Ubuntu, and Flatpak. If you want to build from source instead of downloading a release, the repository includes detailed compilation guides for Linux, macOS, Windows with MSYS2, Windows with Visual Studio, and a CMake path. The codebase is written in C++ and has been in active development for many years, with over 1000 contributors. The project is community-driven and releases both stable builds and more frequent experimental builds with the latest changes. Contributing is welcome: code, game content, translations, and bug reports all go through the GitHub repository. The license is Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0, which means the game and all its content can be freely used and modified. An in-game tutorial is available from the main menu, and pressing the question mark key during play opens a help reference with all key bindings.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
I just downloaded Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead for the first time. Give me a starter survival guide for the first few in-game days, what should I prioritize finding, crafting, and avoiding?
Prompt 2
How do I install the tiles graphical version of Cataclysm: DDA on Ubuntu Linux using Flatpak or the package manager?
Prompt 3
I want to create a simple JSON mod for Cataclysm: DDA that adds a new food item. Walk me through the required file structure and JSON fields.
Prompt 4
What is the difference between stable and experimental builds of Cataclysm: DDA, and how do I switch to the experimental channel?
Prompt 5
How do I compile Cataclysm: DDA from source on Windows using MSYS2, step by step?

Frequently asked questions

wtf is cataclysm-dda?

A free, open-source turn-based survival game set in a zombie apocalypse with a procedurally generated world, available with graphical tiles or classic text graphics on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What language is cataclysm-dda written in?

Mainly C++. The stack also includes C++, CMake, SDL2.

What license does cataclysm-dda use?

You can freely use, share, and modify this game and its content as long as you credit the original creators and share your changes under the same license.

How hard is cataclysm-dda to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1h+ to a first successful run.

Who is cataclysm-dda for?

Mainly general.

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