“While the population of Linux users is small, their impact infected a fair amount of players’ games.” Apex Legends can’t be played on Steam Deck anymore, and EA has explained why.

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What you need to know

  • Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainment’s battle royale title Apex Legends is no longer playable on any devices running Linux.
  • According to Electronic Arts, this is because the platform’s openness attracts cheaters, with the team having to balance the security issues it causes against the number of players using Linux.
  • As a result, Apex Legends is also no longer playable through Steam Deck, though anyone using the device can play Apex Legends by installing Windows instead.

As a dedicated battle royale enthusiast with countless hours invested in Apex Legends, it’s disheartening to see my options dwindle. The recent decision by Electronic Arts (EA) to make Apex Legends inaccessible on Linux systems, including Steam Deck, feels like a blow to the gaming community that values portability and flexibility.

If you’re a big fan of battle royale games, you’ve got one less option for taking them on the go.

According to an update shared on Thursday, Apex Legends, the free-to-play game developed by Electronic Arts (EA) and Respawn Entertainment, can no longer be played on Linux systems or Steam Deck. This change is being made as a strategy to combat cheating, a problem that EA claims is prevalent on Linux platforms due to their open nature.

As an observer, I found myself grappling with a dilemma concerning the number of individuals genuinely engaging with Apex on Linux or Steam Deck systems versus the overall well-being of our player base. Although the Linux user community is relatively small, their influence managed to significantly impact the gaming experience for many players. This careful consideration ultimately led us to make the decision we’re announcing today.

EA acknowledges that it’s challenging for the team to verify if a player is actually using a Steam Deck or just pretending to be, by running Linux and falsely claiming to use Valve’s handheld device. However, there is a possible solution, as Steam Deck users can install Windows on their devices. If they choose this method, then they would be able to play Apex Legends.

EA continues to fight cheaters in Apex Legends

On numerous occasions, my encounters with the challenges faced by Steam Deck users due to Electronic Arts’ (EA) battles against cheaters in Apex Legends have not been unfamiliar.

As an analyst reflecting on the past year, I recall a situation where Steam Deck players and other Linux users found themselves unable to play Apex Legends due to anti-cheat issues. Although this problem was subsequently resolved, it might have served as a premonition of challenges ahead.

Apart from the existing players, Apex Legends is consistently expanding with fresh characters, locations, gameplay modes, and additional content. Recently, an update delivered the long-awaited 120 FPS support on Xbox Series X|S consoles. Meanwhile, various other updates have introduced thrilling new elements such as dual-wielding pistols.

At the moment, Apex Legends can be played on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, personal computers using Windows OS, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

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2024-11-01 01:38