Epic Games has confirmed that its Linux-based launcher will officially support SteamOS and Steam Deck devices. This announcement marks a significant expansion for the company’s gaming platform on Valve’s operating system, moving beyond the initial preview phase that excluded specific distro support.
Communications Director Jake Jones provided details on the update in a response to GamingOnLinux. He stated that the new Epic Games Launcher is still in preview but plans to support as many Linux distributions as possible. The confirmed list includes Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy, and Omarchy.
Launcher Distribution and Packaging
Jones addressed questions regarding the distribution format for the launcher. He confirmed that the company is currently testing and evaluating packaging formats for distribution. Users who preferred the AppImage format will see its return this month, alongside the introduction of Debian and Ubuntu .deb downloads.
This shift in packaging strategy aims to make the launcher more accessible to a wider range of Linux users. The move comes after Epic Games began investigating Fortnite compatibility with Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS in October. At that time, the launcher was in preview, but SteamOS was not explicitly listed as a supported environment.
Fortnite and Anti-Cheat Hurdles
While the launcher itself is now compatible with SteamOS, this does not guarantee that Fortnite will immediately launch on the platform. The primary obstacle remains Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) Linux v2 support. When Epic Games first announced its efforts to bring Fortnite to Linux, the company noted that the Steam Deck does not currently support the required features for the EAC v2 solution.
Epic Games stated that it is actively talking with Valve about this issue and hopes to support the anti-cheat software in the future. Until that technical hurdle is cleared, players on Steam Deck will not be able to access the popular battle royale title through the new launcher, even if they can install other games.
The confirmation of SteamOS support for the launcher is a positive step for the Linux gaming ecosystem. It provides a more stable foundation for users who want to access the Epic Games Store on their handheld devices. However, the full experience, including the flagship title Fortnite, remains dependent on further collaboration between Epic Games and Valve.
Source: The Verge
