Apex Legends is taking a big step that’s certain to be unpopular with a great variety of gamers. EA and Respawn Leisure have introduced that the sport is dropping help for the Steam Deck. As a part of their efforts to fight dishonest within the free-to-play battle royale shooter, the businesses have recognized Linux as a straightforward pathway for cheats and exploits. That, in fact, is the working system that the Steam Deck runs on, which suggests help for the transportable gadget is being dropped as nicely.
“In our efforts to fight dishonest in Apex, we’ve recognized Linux OS as being a path for quite a lot of impactful exploits and cheats,” EA writes. “In consequence, we’ve determined to dam Linux OS entry to the sport. Whereas this can affect a small variety of Apex gamers, we imagine the choice will meaningfully scale back cases of dishonest in our recreation.
“Linux is utilized by default on the Steam Deck. There’s at the moment no dependable means for us to distinguish a reputable Steam Deck from a malicious cheat claiming to be a Steam Deck (through Linux).”
EA explains that with Linux cheats being more durable to detect, although the choice to drop help for the OS – and by extension, the Steam Deck – was not a straightforward one, it was one which was obligatory for the sport’s well being.
“The openness of the Linux working techniques makes it a gorgeous one for cheaters and cheat builders,” EA explains. “Linux cheats are certainly more durable to detect and the info reveals that they’re rising at a fee that requires an outsized stage of focus and a spotlight from the group for a comparatively small platform. There are additionally instances during which cheats for the Home windows OS get emulated as if it’s on Linux to be able to enhance the problem of detection and prevention.
“We needed to weigh the choice on the variety of gamers who had been legitimately taking part in on Linux/the Steam Deck versus the better well being of the inhabitants of gamers for Apex. Whereas the inhabitants of Linux customers is small, their affect contaminated a good quantity of gamers’ video games. This in the end introduced us to our choice in the present day.”
After all, as EA reminds as nicely, in the event you’ve acquired Home windows put in in your Steam Deck, you possibly can nonetheless use the gadget to play Apex Legends– although Linux customers are sadly out of luck.
“To get rid of this cheat vector, we now have made the choice to stop entry to the sport for Linux customers,” the corporate says. “Which means Apex Legends will probably be unplayable instantly for these working this working system. Enjoying on handhelds, such because the Steam Deck, remains to be potential if the person opts to put in Home windows.”
Apex Legends is out there on PS5, Xbox Collection X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Swap, and PC.
