In a surprising move that has left many players buzzing, Respawn Entertainment recently announced that Linux users, including those playing on the Steam Deck, will no longer be able to access Apex Legends. This decision, which impacts a small number of Apex players, comes as part of the ongoing battle against cheating in the popular battle royale title. Let’s dive into what led to this controversial decision and what it means for players.
According to Respawn, Linux has been identified as a platform that allows cheaters to exploit Apex Legends. Due to its open nature, Linux is attractive to cheat developers, making it a challenging environment for the developers to secure effectively. Respawn shared that the growing presence of Linux-based cheats required an “outsized level of focus and attention” from their anti-cheat team, which ultimately tipped the scales in favor of a complete block.
One major issue highlighted by the developers is that cheats for Windows can also be emulated on Linux, making them even harder to detect. The data showed that these exploits were growing rapidly, affecting not just Linux players but also the integrity of matches for the entire community.
The decision also affects players using the Steam Deck, a handheld gaming system with Linux installed by default. While it’s still technically possible to play Apex Legends on the Steam Deck by installing Windows, Respawn emphasized that there is no reliable way for them to differentiate between a legitimate Steam Deck user and someone using Linux to cheat. This complication led to the blanket ban.
Respawn explained that they had to weigh the relatively small number of legitimate Linux players against the broader health of the game’s player base. The impact of Linux-based cheats on the community ultimately influenced the decision. Competitive integrity is a top priority for the development team, and preventing Linux access is just one part of a broader strategy to maintain a fair playing field for all Legends.
For those affected, the game is now unplayable on Linux OS. However, Steam Deck users can install Windows on their devices to continue playing. Respawn clarified that this change will not affect players running the game on Windows or any other supported platforms, such as PlayStation or Xbox.
The decision to block Linux players is just one part of a larger push by Respawn to keep Apex Legends free of cheaters. Their statement reiterated their ongoing commitment to refining detection and banning methods to preserve competitive integrity. They also encouraged players to continue reporting cheaters using the designated tools, assuring the community that their reports are critical to keeping the game clean.
