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There’s some big news for Linux gamers. Epic Games has announced that itPreparations to bring Fortnite to LinuxIt’s doing so. But it’s first having to revamp its anti-cheat system, Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). PC Gamer Editor-in-Chief Tyler Wilde reported on this on October 14, 2026.
(Image credit: Epic)
What did Epic say?
According to Epic, it’s developing a new version called “EAC Linux v2.” Once this new system is working properly with a large number of Linux distro maintainers, Fortnite will be ported to Linux via the Epic Games Launcher. Another good thing is that Epic has said these improvements will be made available to other game developers, so they can also bring their games to Linux users.
No date has been announced yet, meaning this is an announcement of intent, not a launch.
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Why haven’t major games been released on Linux yet?
The number of PC games available on Linux has increased significantly over the past few years. This is largely thanks to Valve’sProtonThe company’s name goes to SteamOS, which helps Windows games run on SteamOS and other Linux systems. It has also played a key role in the success of Steam Deck.
But many major multiplayer games still stay away from Linux due to the risk of cheating. Opening the door to Linux sometimes means opening a new door for cheaters.
A case in point is Rust. Alistair McFarlane, former COO of its developer, Facepunch, stated last year that the studio had no intention of providing Linux or Proton support. He argued that it was a gateway for cheat makers and that the small user base would make it difficult for both the studio and the EAC to maintain. He also noted that when Linux support was discontinued, more cheat users appeared on Linux than actual players. According to the article, Epic’s move could change this entire scenario.
Waiting for Steam Deck users
One thing is important to note. The author says that most people he knows play games on Linux.Steam DeckHowever, according to Epic’s blog post, the new EAC Linux v2 is not yet supported on Steam Deck. Epic has stated that it is actively discussing this with Valve.
Epic’s Game Security Engineering Director about FortniteRick Deisttold PC Gamer that the company is testing compatibility with Steam Deck and SteamOS devices. He said Epic wants players to be able to play wherever they want.
Epic’s new launcher is also available on Linux
Meanwhile, another development has come to light. Epic has released its new Epic Games Store client, which for the first timeLinux versionThis means the first step towards bringing Fortnite to Linux is already taken with the launcher.
What does it mean?
This is a big ray of hope for Linux gamers. Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world, and if it comes to Linux, it will increase pressure on other major developers to follow suit. Furthermore, if Epic’s new anti-cheat system proves to be truly reliable and is open to other developers, many more multiplayer games could appear on Linux in the future.
For now, everything depends on how quickly EAC Linux v2 is ready and when devices like the Steam Deck will be supported. Until a concrete announcement comes from Epic or Valve, it’s best to consider this a “possibility.”
Do you game on Linux or Steam Deck? Are you looking forward to the arrival of Fortnite, or is there another game you’re most looking forward to on Linux? Let us know in the comments.
