Apex Legends will not support Linux and Linux-based Steam Decks anymore because of cheating

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Facepalm: Prominent companies like Valve have tried to push Linux as a worthwhile gaming platform for a while now. However, some game developers argue that the open-source OS is not viable, especially for multiplayer games, since their anti-cheat systems, like BattlEye are incompatible.

Developer Respawn Entertainment and publisher EA recently shared some harsh insights about Linux as a gaming platform. Operating systems based on the open-source kernel aren't as reliable as Windows for anti-cheat systems, forcing Apex Legends to abandon official support for the platform.

Respawn wants to keep the "competitive integrity" of its battle royale shooter, and keeping cheaters in check is the studio's primary concern. However, the developer has identified Linux as a path for various "impactful exploits and cheats." For this reason, the studio chose to block all Linux gamers from joining Apex Legends sessions. The company says its decision will significantly reduce instances of cheating.

According to EA, Linux is "too open" as a gaming platform, making open-source operating systems an attractive (and free) target for cheaters and cheat developers. Cheating software running on Linux is more challenging to detect than Windows-based kernel-level tools, and they require an increasingly higher level of attention from the Apex Legends team. Additionally, Apex's player base is relatively small on Linux, so excluding those players should not hurt the shooter much.

Windows cheats have also exploited this, emulating Linux-based tools to try and avoid being detected by the anti-cheat system. To eliminate this cheat vector, EA decided to prevent Linux users from accessing the game. While the number of legitimate Apex Legends players on Linux might not be worth the effort to support, removing the platform altogether could significantly impact the health of the overall battle royale experience.

For example, since Steam Deck uses a Linux-based OS, Apex players are effectively blocked from using that system. Meanwhile, Windows and other supported platforms should not be affected. A workaround would be installing Windows on the handheld, but that comes with its own set of problems, including decreased battery life.

Anti-cheat systems have become very controversial among PC gamers, so much so that Valve had to tweak its Steam policy to disclose when a game uses anti-cheat tools. Rockstar Games also removed Steam Deck support after implementing the BattlEye anti-cheat system. While EA seems to think its move is harmless, some gamers may differ.

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Apex Legends will not support Linux and Linux-based Steam Decks anymore because of cheating

 

[yRaz]

Windows cheats have also exploited this, emulating Linux-based tools to try and avoid being detected by the anti-cheat system.

So it's windows users EMULATING linux tools, not linux users cheating and their response is to stop supporting linux? Sounds like their kernel level anti-cheat tools aren't working as well as they'd like you to believe and this is just a desperate attempt to "do something."

 

[toooooot]

Well, if Apex devs have to spend more time to extend their battleEye to work on SteamOS, they might have this question: "is it financially viable"?
Is it? Idk how many people play on these handheld devices.
But I totally understand Apex dev if this means spending a lot more on security.

 

[TooQik]

Apex Legends has a cheating problem, as supported by this article https://www.dexerto.com/apex-legend...-to-address-massive-cheating-problem-2840292/ , and they think stopping the small amount of Linux based players from playing their game will fix the issue!

It's not surprising they can't stem the tide of cheaters, given they can't even do basic maths.

 

[TooQik]

Well, if Apex devs have to spend more time to extend their battleEye to work on SteamOS, they might have this question: "is it financially viable"?
Is it? Idk how many people play on these handheld devices.
But I totally understand Apex dev if this means spending a lot more on security.

BattlEye already works with Linux, so they don't need to spend much time at all.

 

[Dimitriid]

Well this isn't forward thinking but it's at the same time a challenge to Valve one that I think they have some chances of meeting successfully.

See I sort of agree with the decision not to put anti cheat systems on Linux right now, but for more honest reasons: As of today most people running Linux are not average users and are really at the very least, saavy enough to NOT fall for the type of predatory, gambling-inspired (Or even, directly copied) tactics online games use. No offense but games that are primarily played on consoles and phones are just not the same audience that would own a Steam Deck, let alone among the 1% of Linux PC users that would actually game on it without it coming preinstalled (1% is me being extremely generous btw).

In other words it sounds arrogant but yes: I am saying current Linux users, even novices, are too smart to be playing the kind of garbage game Apex is anyway.

However that could quickly change: Valve already tried once but Steam Deck proved their investment on Linux and Proton was not for nothing. Stepping up to distributing Steam OS again to *all* pcs, potentially even some dedicated laptops and desktops would greatly expand their capabilities and the appeal of trying to be on said platform.

I'm not forgetting about the Steam OS initial failure and terrible business decisions of Valve failing to deliver on key promises to hardware manufacturers, but seeing how mature the Steam Deck and how many more lesser known but more daring vendors are flooding the market with all kinds of PCs now, I've got no doubts they could actually start chipping away at Windows market share in a non-zero, financially significant fashion this time: they have better chances of pulling it off now.

They're not *great* chances and I still wouldn't bet on them, but their current attempt is more sustainable than their previous 'Lets just subject hardware partners to Valve time' levels of arrogant incompetence they seem to be over that failed strategy.

 

[toooooot]

BattlEye already works with Linux, so they don't need to spend much time at all.

I think it works but they need extra work to counter those cheats specifically on SteamOS.

 

[yRaz]

Well this isn't forward thinking but it's at the same time a challenge to Valve one that I think they have some chances of meeting successfully.

See I sort of agree with the decision not to put anti cheat systems on Linux right now, but for more honest reasons: As of today most people running Linux are not average users and are really at the very least, saavy enough to NOT fall for the type of predatory, gambling-inspired (Or even, directly copied) tactics online games use. No offense but games that are primarily played on consoles and phones are just not the same audience that would own a Steam Deck, let alone among the 1% of Linux PC users that would actually game on it without it coming preinstalled (1% is me being extremely generous btw).

In other words it sounds arrogant but yes: I am saying current Linux users, even novices, are too smart to be playing the kind of garbage game Apex is anyway.

However that could quickly change: Valve already tried once but Steam Deck proved their investment on Linux and Proton was not for nothing. Stepping up to distributing Steam OS again to *all* pcs, potentially even some dedicated laptops and desktops would greatly expand their capabilities and the appeal of trying to be on said platform.

I'm not forgetting about the Steam OS initial failure and terrible business decisions of Valve failing to deliver on key promises to hardware manufacturers, but seeing how mature the Steam Deck and how many more lesser known but more daring vendors are flooding the market with all kinds of PCs now, I've got no doubts they could actually start chipping away at Windows market share in a non-zero, financially significant fashion this time: they have better chances of pulling it off now.

They're not *great* chances and I still wouldn't bet on them, but their current attempt is more sustainable than their previous 'Lets just subject hardware partners to Valve time' levels of arrogant incompetence they seem to be over that failed strategy.

https://www.phoronix.com/news/Steam-Linux-June-2024-Survey

2% of steam users, while small as a percentage, is not a small amount in terms of total users.

Edit: I'd also like to point out that the gaming market is so huge that serving even a fraction of a percent of users could mean hundreds of millions in revenue.

 

[MasterAce]

I think steamdeck should be treated separately, as it’s a console like system that doesn’t involve users installing their own programs. I don’t own one, but I imagine this is the case and/or it should be possible for Valve to harden the system

 

[nitebird]

So it's windows users EMULATING linux tools, not linux users cheating and their response is to stop supporting linux? Sounds like their kernel level anti-cheat tools aren't working as well as they'd like you to believe and this is just a desperate attempt to "do something."

The vector still seems to be linux code is not compatible with their anti-cheat software. I guess the solution would be Valve creating their own fork of linux and locking it down from customization as a "gaming OS". Could be good for optimization, performance, as well as compatibility and anti-cheat.

 

[Shaitan]

Thank God I'm not in any danger of not being able to play their game on Linux. I'm not playing anything at all from the big companies lately.
I'm happy as a clam playing Space Marine 2 and looking forward to Stellar Blade, Black Myth Wukong and the games that cater to the cishet male audience ))
As for the "woke" stuff: my patience outpaces their budget

 

[cfenton]

I think steamdeck should be treated separately, as it’s a console like system that doesn’t involve users installing their own programs. I don’t own one, but I imagine this is the case and/or it should be possible for Valve to harden the system

It's pretty easy (and officially supported) to bring up the full Linux desktop with full access to the file system. I have a bunch of emulators on mine that aren't available through Steam.

 

[Trillionsin]

There will always be cheating in online games, linux or windows... unless cheating literally becomes a criminal offense, and that will only mitigate it and make it harder to source what you need to actually cheat. And no, I'm NOT for making it a criminal offense, because that would risk WAY TOO MUCH for mods, and possibly more I'm unaware of, legit reasons.

 

[Bamda]

Well Linux user, you done messed up. Back to Windows gamers.

 

[user478318]

Like I've been saying on this site for years, and been bashed for it, Linux is a hot mess.

 

[Yppah]

So it's windows users EMULATING linux tools, not linux users cheating and their response is to stop supporting linux? Sounds like their kernel level anti-cheat tools aren't working as well as they'd like you to believe and this is just a desperate attempt to "do something."

"Windows cheats HAVE ALSO exploited this" - so its Linux users creating tools for cheating and Windows users EMULATING so they can use the LINUX TOOLS and can ALSO cheat.