Epic Games Rebuilds Easy Anti-Cheat to Bring Fortnite to Linux

Epic Games has announced a major overhaul of its Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) software, with the explicit goal of bringing its flagship battle royale Fortnite to Linux. The move marks a significant shift for the studio, which has long relied on EAC's kernel-level protections in ways that made Linux compatibility essentially impossible. With the rebuilt software, Fortnite will finally run natively on Linux configurations, opening the door to a platform that has grown increasingly attractive thanks to devices like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, as well as ongoing frustrations with Windows among PC gamers.

However, the news comes with at least one notable caveat. While Linux desktop support appears to be confirmed, Steam Deck compatibility remains uncertain. Rock Paper Shotgun notes that Steam Deck support is still "in the wind," suggesting Epic and Valve have not yet finalized how or whether the handheld's specific environment will be fully supported. Still, the broader Linux announcement is being welcomed as a long-overdue step, particularly as the Linux gaming audience has grown steadily in recent years and players have increasingly sought alternatives to the Windows ecosystem.

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