Epic Games’ Bold Move Towards Linux Gaming
Epic Games is setting its sights on expanding the reach of its popular title, Fortnite, by venturing into the Linux gaming ecosystem. However, this ambitious plan hinges on a significant technical overhaul: the company is in the process of “rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat” (EAC) to ensure it can effectively support Linux platforms.
In a recent announcement, Epic stated, “Once [EAC Linux v2 is] working with a critical mass of distro maintainers, we’ll bring Fortnite to Linux via the Epic Games Launcher.” This initiative not only aims to introduce Fortnite to Linux users but also to enhance the gaming landscape by making these advancements accessible to other developers, thereby encouraging a broader range of games to find their way to Linux players.
The move comes at a time when the gaming community has seen a surge in interest in Linux, particularly with the rise of SteamOS and the Steam Deck, which has played a pivotal role in this trend. Yet, despite this growing interest, many major multiplayer titles have remained hesitant to embrace Linux due to concerns over security and the potential for cheating.
For instance, Alistair McFarlane, COO of Facepunch Studios, previously highlighted the challenges faced by their popular survival game, Rust, stating, “There are no plans to support Proton or Linux. It’s a vector for cheat developers, and one that would be poorly maintained by both us and EAC due to the low user base.” This sentiment reflects a broader apprehension within the industry, as the balance between maintaining game integrity and expanding accessibility remains a delicate one.
Epic’s blog post elaborated on the technical aspects of their plans, noting that the current Steam Deck does not yet support the new EAC Linux v2 solution. Nevertheless, the company is actively engaging with Valve to address this limitation, signaling a commitment to making this transition as seamless as possible for players.
Rick Deist, Epic’s game security engineering director, shared insights during a recent call with PC Gamer, stating that the company is “investigating compatibility with Steam Deck and SteamOS devices.” This proactive approach underscores Epic’s dedication to ensuring that players can enjoy their favorite games across various platforms. In a related development, Epic has also launched a new version of the Epic Games Store client, which now includes support for Linux, marking a significant step forward in their commitment to this operating system.
As Epic Games continues to navigate the complexities of launching Fortnite on Linux, the gaming community watches with anticipation, eager to see how this initiative unfolds and what it means for the future of gaming on alternative platforms.