‘There are no plans to drop support for SteamOS’: The Finals devs commit to Steam Deck and Linux players despite new kernel-level anti-cheat

In a recent announcement, Embark Studios revealed significant updates for their game, The Finals, particularly focusing on enhancing security measures against cheating. With the introduction of kernel-level anti-cheat technology, the developers are taking a proactive approach to combat unfair advantages that some players exploit. This update, part of the 7.3 patch, addresses the growing concern over cheats that utilize kernel-drivers to manipulate game memory, operating in a privileged mode within Windows. Such methods often evade detection by traditional anti-cheat systems.

Commitment to Steam Deck and Linux Players

Despite these advancements, Embark Studios reassured its community that they remain committed to supporting players on Steam Deck and Linux platforms. In a message shared on their official Discord server, which was also circulated on Reddit, the developers stated, “There are no plans to drop support for SteamOS/Proton/Wine and/or SteamDeck. We will do our utmost best to maintain your ability to play!” This commitment is particularly encouraging for the passionate and growing player base on these platforms.

One developer elaborated on their collaboration with CodeWeavers, emphasizing that they have been working closely with them since Season 5 to ensure quality assurance for each release. “While it’s not a formal collaboration, we catch issues with SteamDeck early, as they conduct a review of the game before we roll out a patch,” they noted. This proactive engagement highlights the developers’ dedication to improving the gaming experience, even if Steam Deck is not their primary focus.

While the developers acknowledge that some issues may occasionally slip through the cracks, they encourage players to report any problems they encounter. “Please keep reporting issues here, to our support, or directly to the Proton devs, and we will investigate what we can do to fix things,” they urged.

This news is particularly timely, as more gamers are exploring alternatives to Windows, especially with Windows 10 approaching its end of life in October. The interest in SteamOS is rising, alongside other gaming-centric Linux distributions like Bazzite, which are gaining traction among users seeking alternatives to Windows 11. This shift in the gaming landscape may explain Embark Studios’ decision to continue supporting their Linux players, a refreshing departure from trends seen in other titles, such as Apex Legends, which have previously dropped Linux support.

For now, players on Linux can continue to enjoy The Finals, which is currently in its seventh season since its launch in 2023. The developers’ commitment to maintaining support for these platforms is a positive sign for the future of gaming on Linux.

AppWizard
'There are no plans to drop support for SteamOS': The Finals devs commit to Steam Deck and Linux players despite new kernel-level anti-cheat