Apex Legends Removes Steam Deck Support Due to Cheating Concerns
Electronic Arts (EA) has ended support for Apex Legends on all Linux-based systems, including the Steam Deck, citing a surge in cheating activity originating from this platform. This decision, while impacting a segment of the player base, is intended to safeguard the integrity of the game for the majority of players.
EA's community manager, EA_Mako, explained that the open nature of Linux makes it a haven for cheat developers. These cheats are reportedly difficult to detect and are proliferating at an unsustainable rate.
The flexibility of Linux also allows cheaters to effectively mask their activities, hindering EA's anti-cheat efforts. EA_Mako stated that the decision was difficult but necessary to protect the overall gaming experience for the wider player community. Distinguishing legitimate Steam Deck users from cheaters proved technically impossible due to the inherent nature of the Linux operating system.
The blog post highlights the challenge of reliably identifying legitimate Steam Deck users amidst the growing number of cheaters using Linux. This lack of reliable differentiation necessitated the complete removal of Linux support.
EA emphasizes that this measure is crucial for maintaining fair gameplay across all other supported platforms. While disappointing for some, the decision prioritizes the integrity of the game for the majority of its players.