Fortnite Is Coming to Linux as Epic Rebuilds Easy Anti-Cheat

jiaolix

Fortnite may finally be playable on Linux, and that could bring the battle royale to Steam Deck in a way that was never possible before. The obstacle has always been Easy Anti-Cheat, but Epic Games is now rebuilding it to deliver a level of protection that rivals Windows.

According to a report from 80 Level, Epic has already launched its new EGS launcher on Linux for the first time. Fortnite is expected to follow, but only after the company finishes reworking Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) to ensure the platform is secure.

"We'll also make these improvements available to other developers so they can bring their games to Linux players," Epic said.

The Anti-Cheat Problem That Held Linux Back

EAC has been capable of running native Linux game clients since 2014, and Epic later added support for running Windows game builds on Linux through Wine and Proton. However, that implementation could not offer the same level of protection as the Windows version, which is precisely why so many multiplayer games avoid the platform.

The Steam Deck runs on Linux. EA blocked Apex Legends from the device two years ago, calling it "a path for a variety of impactful exploits and cheats." That decision highlighted just how serious the anti-cheat gap had become.

Epic intends to close it. The company says it will rely on a signed kernel and kernel modules, secure boot with attestation, TPM 2.0, measured boot, Input-Output Memory Management Unit (IOMMU), a kernel lockdown integrity mode, disabled kexec, and the LSM BPF to bring protection much closer to Windows parity.

Developers and enthusiasts can review the technical details of the process online.

Epic's Vision for Cheat-Free Gaming on Linux

"The ideal solution for a cheat-free gaming environment is one where the operating system provides assurances to players that their data remains isolated from both anticheat and game companies while also ensuring that the gameplay cannot be tampered with," Epic said.

"There have been many efforts over the years to build solutions like this including virtualization techniques to enable cheat free gaming, but to date they haven't gained traction. We hope they soon will, and we'll work with all willing companies in the industry to make this happen in the future. This includes continuing the Easy Anti-Cheat team's open line of communications with Valve to support Steam Hardware devices to the maximum extent technically possible."

Epic is also reaching out to "leaders in the Linux community" and will co-host a panel discussion with Jef Spaleta, the Fedora Project leader, to talk through the path to enabling fair competitive gaming on Linux.

What This Means for Fortnite Players and Their V-Bucks

Expanding Fortnite to Linux would give players another way to access the game, but the in-game economy stays the same. Skins, battle passes, emotes, and limited-time bundles all require V-Bucks, and players are always looking for convenient ways to keep their balance topped up.

That's where z2u.com comes in. The marketplace offers a Fortnite V-Bucks Store where players can browse options, as well as the ability to Buy Cheap Fortnite V-Bucks without overpaying. As Fortnite potentially reaches Linux and Steam Deck, having a reliable place to restock V-Bucks becomes even more useful for players who want to stay ready for every new season.

The Road Ahead for Linux Gaming

If Epic succeeds, the impact could extend far beyond Fortnite. A secure, proven anti-cheat solution on Linux would give other developers confidence to support the platform, and the Steam Deck would become far more capable for competitive multiplayer games.

Fortnite on Linux is not available yet, but the foundation is being built. For players who have waited years for this moment, the progress is finally tangible.

Are you looking forward to playing Fortnite on Linux? Stay tuned as Epic continues rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. z2u.com is a third-party marketplace and is not affiliated with Epic Games or Fortnite.