Apex Legends Removes Steam Deck Support Due to Cheating Surge
Electronic Arts (EA) has taken the difficult step of blocking Apex Legends access for all Linux-based systems, including the popular Steam Deck handheld. This decision, detailed in a recent blog post by EA Community Manager EA_Mako, cites the escalating issue of cheating on the Linux platform.
EA characterizes Linux's open-source nature as a significant vulnerability, stating it provides "a path for a variety of impactful exploits and cheats." The company highlighted the challenges in detecting and addressing these cheats, noting that they are harder to identify and are increasing at an unsustainable rate.
The problem extends beyond simple cheating; the flexibility of Linux allows malicious actors to effectively mask their activities, making enforcement exceptionally difficult. EA_Mako emphasized the difficult choice of impacting a segment of their player base, but ultimately prioritized the overall game experience for the majority.
The inability to reliably distinguish between legitimate Steam Deck users and cheaters further complicated the situation. Since Linux is the default operating system for the Steam Deck, EA lacks the technological means to effectively separate the two groups.
This decision, while undoubtedly disappointing for some players, reflects EA's commitment to maintaining a fair and cheat-free environment for the broader Apex Legends community. Players on other platforms remain unaffected.
