Advancements in Arm-Based PC Gaming
Utilizing a Windows PC powered by an Arm-based Snapdragon processor has become increasingly akin to the experience offered by traditional Intel or AMD systems. This transformation is largely attributed to the diligent efforts of developers who have optimized their applications for native performance on Arm chips, coupled with Microsoft’s advancements in Windows’ Prism technology, which facilitates the translation of x86 applications for Arm processors. Despite these strides, certain compatibility issues persist.
One notable challenge lies in the realm of online multiplayer gaming. While many titles function seamlessly on Arm PCs without requiring modifications from developers, games that depend on kernel-level anti-cheat software often encounter obstacles. The limitations of Prism mean that drivers and other foundational Windows software cannot be translated, leaving a gap that affects the gaming experience for Arm PC users. Additionally, the relatively small user base for Arm PCs has deterred some developers from investing the necessary resources to create compatible versions of their software.
In a promising development for the gaming community, Epic Games has announced plans to enhance support for Arm PCs later this year. The company revealed its intention to introduce its Epic Online Services Easy Anti-Cheat software to Arm-based systems, alongside official support for Fortnite. Both initiatives are set to roll out later this year, marking a significant step forward in bridging the compatibility divide.
According to a blog post from Epic Games, “In addition to releasing Windows on Snapdragon anti-cheat support for Fortnite, we will bring this support to developers through an Epic Online Services SDK release.” This move aims to empower developers utilizing Easy Anti-Cheat to extend this compatibility to their own gaming titles, fostering a more inclusive environment for Arm PC users.
