Apex Legends Removes Steam Deck Support Due to Cheating Surge
Electronic Arts (EA) has banned all Linux-based systems, including the popular Steam Deck handheld, from accessing Apex Legends. This decision, detailed in a recent blog post by EA Community Manager EA_Mako, cites the escalating security risks associated with the open-source nature of Linux.
EA characterizes Linux as a haven for cheaters, stating that its open architecture facilitates the development and deployment of hard-to-detect exploits. The company's data indicates a disproportionate rise in cheating originating from Linux systems, demanding excessive resources to combat, relative to the user base on that platform.
The difficulty in distinguishing legitimate Linux users from malicious actors further complicates the issue. The inherent flexibility of Linux allows cheaters to effectively mask their activities, making enforcement significantly more challenging. EA_Mako highlighted the impossibility of reliably differentiating between legitimate Steam Deck users and those employing cheats disguised as Steam Deck users.
EA acknowledges the impact on Linux users, emphasizing this was not a decision made lightly. However, the company prioritized the overall game integrity and fairness for the vast majority of players on other platforms. The blog post explicitly states that players on Steam and other supported platforms will not be affected.
This move, while potentially disappointing to some, represents EA's commitment to maintaining a fair and cheat-free environment within Apex Legends. The technical challenges posed by the open-source nature of Linux, coupled with the increasing prevalence of cheats originating from this platform, necessitated this drastic measure.
