How to fix Worms W.M.D. launch on ArchLinux, Manjaro, Garuda, Artix Linux & Linux Mint

WormsWMD-Archlinux.md

Game information Worms W.M.D.

Distribution name and version where applicable Manjaro 20.1.1 (Mikah)

Problem description Worms doesn't launch out of the box without two small tweaks. When launching Worms W.M.D. in Manjaro and Archlinux, you need to do two things:

1. Install this apps: sudo pacman -S libcurl-gnutls libidn11 qt5-base qt5-xcb-private-headers(If you are on any other distro then Arch, you can skip this step. At least this is reported to be OK to skip for Linux Mint)
2. Edit file "Run.sh" in Worms W.M.D. directory, usually it's located here: ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/WormsWMD/Run.sh, and replace it's content with this:

#!/bin/bash
export LC_ALL=C
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="/usr/lib:/usr/local/lib"
export LD_PRELOAD="$(
	printf "%s " ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/WormsWMD/lib/libQt5*.so* \
		~/.steam/steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime/amd64/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libdbus-1.so.3 \
		~/.steam/steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime/amd64/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libdbus-1.so.3.5.8
)"
chmod a+x ./Worms\ W.M.Dx64
./Worms\ W.M.Dx64

Finally, you can launch Worms WMD either through Steam (by pressing play and choosing "Run with Run.sh", or via CLI by just ./Run.sh.

Does this issue reproduce with native Steam Yes, the issue seems like an upstream Steam Linux WMD distribution bug.

With some help from my friend claude code, i was able to run the game on Mint 22.2.
if that helps anyone, here is the guide it prepared

Worms W.M.D Linux Fix Guide

This guide fixes the game on modern Linux distributions (tested on Linux Mint 22.2, might work on Ubuntu 22.04+, and other Debian-based distros).

The Problem

Worms W.M.D's native Linux version ships with outdated libraries that conflict with modern Linux systems, causing errors like:

• GLIBCXX_3.4.30 not found
• libidn.so.11: cannot open shared object file
• Game crashes on startup with dbus errors

The Solution

Step 1: Navigate to Game Directory

cd ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/WormsWMD

Or if using the default Steam path:

cd ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/WormsWMD

Step 2: Backup and Remove Old libstdc++

The bundled libstdc++.so.6 is too old. Rename it so the game uses your system's newer version:

mv lib/libstdc++.so.6 lib/libstdc++.so.6.OLD

Step 3: Update Run.sh Script

Replace the contents of Run.sh with the following:

#!/bin/bash
export LC_ALL=C
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="/usr/lib:/usr/local/lib"
export STEAM_ROOT=~/.steam/debian-installation
export PLATFORM=ubuntu12_32
export STEAM_RUNTIME=$STEAM_ROOT/$PLATFORM/steam-runtime
SCRIPT_DIR=$( cd -- "$( dirname -- "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" &> /dev/null && pwd )

export LD_PRELOAD="$(
	printf "%s " "$SCRIPT_DIR"/lib/libQt5*.so* \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libcurl-gnutls.so.4 \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libidn.so.11 \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgcrypt.so.11 \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/librtmp.so.0 \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libhogweed.so.4 \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libnettle.so.6 \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libsndfile.so.1 \
		"$STEAM_RUNTIME"/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libFLAC.so.8
)"
chmod a+x ./Worms\ W.M.Dx64
./Worms\ W.M.Dx64

Note: If your Steam is installed in the default location (~/.steam/steam), change line 4 to:

export STEAM_ROOT=~/.steam/steam

Step 4: Make Run.sh Executable

chmod +x Run.sh

Step 5: Configure Steam Launch Options

1. Open Steam Library
2. Right-click Worms W.M.D
3. Select Properties
4. In the Launch Options field, enter:

   ./Run.sh %command%
   

Step 6: Launch the Game

Click Play in Steam. The game should now launch successfully!

Alternative: Launch from Terminal

You can also launch the game directly from terminal:

cd ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/WormsWMD
./Run.sh

Troubleshooting

Game still won't launch from Steam

• Verify the Steam installation path in Run.sh (line 4) matches your system
• Check that Run.sh is executable: chmod +x Run.sh
• Try launch option without %command%: just ./Run.sh

Reverting Changes

If something goes wrong, restore the original libstdc++:

cd ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/WormsWMD
mv lib/libstdc++.so.6.OLD lib/libstdc++.so.6

Steam Path Variations

Different distros may have Steam installed in different locations:

• Debian/Ubuntu/Mint: ~/.steam/debian-installation/
• Arch/Manjaro: ~/.steam/steam/
• Flatpak Steam: ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.steam/steam/

Adjust the STEAM_ROOT variable in Run.sh accordingly.

Why This Works

• Removed old libstdc++: The bundled library lacks GLIBCXX_3.4.30, causing crashes. Your system's version is newer and compatible.
• Removed dbus preloads: Old dbus libraries from Steam Runtime caused conflicts. System dbus works better.
• Preloaded Steam Runtime libraries: The game needs specific versions of Qt5, crypto, and audio libraries that Steam provides.

Credits

Based on solutions from:

• sxiii's GitHub Gist
• Arch Linux Forums
• Steam Community discussions

Tested On

• ✅ Linux Mint 22.2 Cinnamon

Feel free to improve!