Apex Legends Removed from Steam Deck Due to Cheating Concerns

Apex Legends Removes Steam Deck Support Due to Cheating Surge

Electronic Arts (EA) has ended support for Apex Legends on all Linux-based systems, including the popular Steam Deck handheld console. This decision, detailed in a recent blog post by EA Community Manager EA_Mako, cites the significant increase in cheating originating from the Linux platform.

EA characterizes Linux as a haven for cheat developers, stating its open-source nature facilitates the creation and deployment of hard-to-detect cheats. The company's data indicates a disproportionate rise in cheating from Linux users, demanding excessive resources to combat, outweighing the relatively small player base utilizing the platform.

The issue extends beyond simple cheat detection. The flexibility of Linux allows malicious actors to effectively mask their cheating activities, making enforcement incredibly difficult.

EA_Mako emphasized the difficult choice to exclude Linux users, acknowledging the impact on legitimate players. However, the company prioritized maintaining a fair and cheat-free experience for the vast majority of its players across other platforms. The inability to reliably distinguish between legitimate Steam Deck users and cheaters, due to Linux being the default operating system on the device, further complicated the situation.

The decision, while potentially upsetting to some, is presented by EA as a necessary step to preserve the integrity of Apex Legends for the broader player community on Steam and other supported platforms. These players will not be affected by this change.