Electronic Arts has barred all Linux-based devices, including Steam Deck, from running Apex Legends. Discover the reasons behind EA's decision to discontinue support for Linux systems.

Steam Deck Users Face Permanent Apex Legends Access Loss

EA Labels Linux a Hub for Exploits and Cheating

In a significant shift affecting Linux users, particularly Steam Deck players, Electronic Arts (EA) has declared that Apex Legends will no longer be compatible with Linux devices. The company cites escalating security threats on the open-source platform, describing it as a conduit for numerous exploits and cheating mechanisms.

EA Community Manager EA_Mako elaborated in a blog post, stating, "The open nature of Linux systems makes them appealing to cheaters and cheat creators. Detecting Linux-based cheats is challenging, and our data indicates they are increasing at a rate that demands disproportionate resources for a small platform."

EA's concerns go beyond individual Linux users, as the platform's adaptability enables malicious actors to conceal cheats, hindering effective enforcement.

A Tough but Essential Choice for Apex Legends' Wider Community

EA_Mako admitted that excluding an entire player group was a tough call. "We had to balance the number of genuine Linux and Steam Deck players against the overall health of the Apex Legends community," they noted, indicating that the broader player base's interests took precedence.

EA also highlighted the difficulty in distinguishing legitimate Steam Deck users from cheat developers. "Since Linux is the default on Steam Deck, we lack a reliable method to separate authentic devices from malicious ones masquerading as Steam Decks via Linux," Mako explained, emphasizing the technical challenges posed by open-source systems.

While this decision may disappoint Apex Legends players and Linux supporters, EA insists it is crucial to maintain fairness and integrity for the game's wider community across Steam and other supported platforms, which remain unaffected, as confirmed in the blog post.