Key Takeaways
- Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite to Linux after completing work on its updated Easy Anti-Cheat system.
- The new EAC Linux v2 will use existing Linux security features instead of installing an anti-cheat kernel module.
- Linux users will need specific security settings, including TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and signed kernel components.
- Epic has not confirmed a release date, and Steam Deck compatibility remains a work in progress.
Epic Games is preparing to bring Fortnite to Linux, rebuilding its Easy Anti-Cheat software to address security issues that have prevented the game from running on the operating system. The announcement came alongside a preview release of the redesigned Epic Games Launcher, now available to Linux users.
However, players will have to wait before they can play Fortnite natively through the launcher. Epic has not announced a release date, saying the game will arrive once its updated anti-cheat system is ready and enough Linux distribution maintainers meet its requirements. The company also plans to make the updated technology available to other developers, potentially allowing more multiplayer games to support Linux without compromising their anti-cheat protections.
Epic Rebuilds Easy Anti-Cheat To Prepare Fortnite For Linux
Epic Games announced its plans in an October 14 update on Epic Online Services. The company said its existing Linux anti-cheat implementation couldn’t provide the same level of protection as its Windows version, which had limited adoption among multiplayer game developers.
Easy Anti-Cheat has supported native Linux games since 2014 and added support for running Windows games through Wine and Proton in 2021. However, developers must choose to enable it, and some have avoided doing so because of cheating concerns.
Epic is now rebuilding the Linux implementation as EAC Linux v2. The company plans to test the updated system in Fortnite first, then make the improvements available to other developers after validating its effectiveness.
The new implementation will rely on existing Linux security features, including signed kernels, Secure Boot, measured boot, and kernel integrity protections. It will also use eBPF programs to help detect cheating and a systemd service that runs while a protected game is active. Unlike the Windows version, EAC Linux v2 will not install a dedicated anti-cheat kernel module.
The announcement has also drawn attention from Linux gaming communities. In a Reddit discussion, users discussed the launcher preview and the implications of Epic’s updated anti-cheat plans. The reaction highlights interest in broader Linux game compatibility, though the discussion doesn’t establish when Fortnite will become playable.
Linux Security Requirements Could Limit Initial Compatibility
Epic’s planned release comes with several technical requirements. Systems will need TPM 2.0 enabled in the BIOS, Secure Boot, a kernel signed by a trusted distribution key, and appropriately signed kernel modules. Additional requirements include measured boot, kernel lockdown in integrity mode, disabled kexec, and an active BPF Linux Security Module.
IOMMU support is also required, although Epic exempts handheld devices from that particular requirement. These conditions mean that not every Linux installation will necessarily be compatible. Users running custom kernels or unsigned drivers may need to change their configuration before launching games protected by the new system. Epic says distribution maintainers will help meet the requirements and expand the list of trusted signing keys.
The company has also said it is communicating with Linux community representatives and plans to make the updated anti-cheat system available to other developers. This could give multiplayer games that rely on Easy Anti-Cheat another option for supporting Linux, though developers will still need to implement the technology themselves.
The Steam Deck presents another unresolved issue. Epic says it is continuing discussions with Valve to support Steam hardware devices where technically possible, but the Steam Deck does not currently support all the functionality required by EAC Linux v2.
Meanwhile, the new Epic Games Launcher preview is already available for Linux, alongside Windows and macOS versions. Its arrival does not mean Fortnite is playable on Linux yet. Epic says it will bring the game to the launcher once the anti-cheat system is ready and enough Linux distribution maintainers meet the required standards. For now, the announcement establishes a development plan rather than a launch date. Fortnite’s eventual availability will depend on Epic’s testing, distribution support, and progress toward addressing the remaining compatibility issues.
