Epic Games has made a significant stride in the gaming landscape by introducing ARM compatibility for its widely used Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system. This update, highlighted in the recent patch notes for EOS 1.17.1.3-CL44532354, marks a notable advancement for both Windows and Linux-based ARM operating systems. Game developers are now encouraged to update EAC to the latest version, ensuring their titles can leverage this new compatibility.
Expanding Compatibility for Gamers
While some anti-cheat programs have already embraced Windows on ARM, Easy Anti-Cheat stands out due to its popularity among game developers and players alike. The addition of EAC support opens doors for a vast array of titles, enhancing the gaming experience for many. Notably, the inclusion of Linux ARM device support is a significant boon for Linux gamers, especially in light of Valve’s recent integration of ARM support for Proton, its Windows-to-Linux emulator.
Implementing anti-cheat applications on ARM architecture requires specialized tooling. Specifically for Windows, these tools must be compatible with Microsoft’s Prism x86 to ARM compatibility tool. The Javelin framework will also need to adapt to ARM to fully resolve any lingering anti-cheat incompatibility issues. Currently, Easy Anti-Cheat joins the ranks of Battleye, Denuvo, and Wellbia Uncheater as the few anti-cheat solutions available for ARM versions of Windows 11.
New Horizons for Nintendo Switch 2
In addition to the ARM support, Epic’s latest update also brings official compatibility for the Nintendo Switch 2. The release notes indicate that developers can easily extend their existing EOS SDK for Switch integration to accommodate Nintendo’s latest hardware with minimal adjustments. This flexibility allows developers to reach a broader audience while optimizing their games for new platforms.
Microsoft has been proactive in enhancing the gaming experience on ARM PCs since the rollout of Windows 11 24H2. The company is collaborating with developers to integrate anti-cheat support while simultaneously refining its Prism x86 to ARM emulation tool to boost game translation performance. Furthermore, the introduction of Auto SR, Microsoft’s proprietary upscaling technology, promises to enhance performance by rendering games at lower resolutions and upscaling them to match the device’s native resolution.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, these developments from Epic Games and Microsoft signal a promising future for both developers and players, fostering an inclusive environment across diverse platforms.
