Easy Anti-Cheat are apparently "pausing" their Linux support, which could be a big problem (updated)
Update: Epic Games gave a response, it is not paused.
Original article:
I've just today been alerted to something that's quite worrying, according to Garry Newman from Facepunch Studios, Easy Anti-Cheat are "pausing" their Linux support.
As it turns out, Newman made this comment on Reddit on a submission that actually links back to my recent article about Rust. Newman said pretty clearly "The biggest issue as far as I can see is that EAC are pausing their Linux support, which is resulting in an increase in cheaters using the Linux version. This is a huge problem because it affects every other platform.".
This is the first I've heard of it and so it's quite alarming considering the amount of Linux games that actually use it like Rust, 7 Days to Die, Albion Online (which only recently started using it), Robocraft, Insurgency Sandstorm (which planned Linux support) and so on. Not just existing games but this will obviously cause major problems for any upcoming multiplayer game that was planning to support Linux if they were going to use EAC, as it might just cause them to drop Linux support.
Additionally, this could also cause even more problems for Valve's Steam Play although we don't know the full situation, they were supposed to be in talks to get Easy Anti-Cheat supported for it. This new information doesn't exactly give me confidence but perhaps Steam Play will be treated differently? Who knows.
Interestingly, Epic Games actually acquired the maker of Easy Anti-Cheat last year, so perhaps Linux is becoming a casualty of that? I'm not saying it is but it wouldn't surprise me.
I've reached out to Easy Anti-Cheat and Epic Games to find out what they have to say about it, if anything. Took EAC a while to reply last time and I don't expect an answer on a Sunday, so hold onto your hats. At least if it does turn out to be true, there's still VAC and BattlEye which do support Linux games as well as Steam Trust to come.
Frustratingly, this news also comes only recently after we found Vivox suggesting a developer drop Linux support. This makes me even more thankful that Valve are continuing to put resources into Linux, with things like Steam Play and funding developers across a multitude of other Linux-related projects and other open source software.
Hat tip to airspeedmph.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: callciferI guess you're right about those points you make. I was just trying to summarize the many ways people can see the situation just now, not really my opinion.Quoting: omer666I mean, he just pointed out two related facts.There is no proof whatsoever that EAC's decision is in anyway related to Epic acquiring them.
Quoting: omer666Two of the biggest exclusive contracts they got (Metro and Borderlands) had their previous episodes ported to Linux, which obviously means they won't be ported just now (or won't be at all)Borderlands 2 was ported to Linux a full 2 years after release, so I don't see how this is suddenly a problem about Epic's involvement. Metro Exodus is a 1 year exclusive and Borderlands 3 is a 6 month one.
Quoting: omer666They advocate the use of Lutris the way id software suggested to improve Wine support: now that we don't care anymore, just help yourself.They have no immediate plans for a Linux client because they have much bigger priorities, rightly so. In the meantime they are not only suggesting using Lutris, but are also willing to fund Lutris via grants. How is that a bad thing?
Quoting: omer666But to accuse Liam of flaming... Sounds like "Come on, those damn journalists, can't they keep their mouth shut?" to me...Perhaps I have different expectations for what that word means, but I don't think it's journalism to post pure unsubstantiated speculation knowing that it will help form a pitchfork mob.
As for "journalism", I guess some like it with more or less subjectivity, in the present case I don't mind though. It's up to people not to overinterpret it, which indeed isn't what people usually do on the internet. In this day and age, a single word can turn into a sharp knife. I really don't think that's what Liam had on his mind when writing.
Quoting: KuJoIn context it looks a bit different.How? The analogy is still absurd. He's still arguing in favor of trying to wrangle a monster into granting you some scraps of freedom in favor of simply using an OS that is inherently free. The "fight for the freedoms we have" bit seems to indicate just how much he takes Windows for granted, and a catastrophic incomprehension of the value of FOSS. I don't see how what he said could be interpreted as anything other than dismissive and ignorant.
MintedGamer May 6, 2019
Quoting: KristianSo is Epic now enemy #1 of Linux gaming? I mean they are already effectively paying some developers and publishers to not support Linux, and now this?
Epic is the #1 enemy of gaming. Utter scumbags.
Last edited by Mal on 7 May 2019 at 7:02 am UTC
Quoting: MalYou know Sweeney present day stance on windows right?
Yeah, but Microsoft loves Linux, so Epic will soon loves Linux too! And as Windows 10 will soon ship a full Linux kernel and is now promoting their new terminal app featuring various Linux distributions: "if you do not want to come to Canada, Canada will come to you!" ^_^
qptain Nemo May 7, 2019
Quoting: MalErr. You're discussing a years old tweet. You know Sweeney present day stance on windows right?Oof.
Quoting: callciferQuoting: liamdaweYou're making it sound like only the Linux community gets heated. That's very disingenuous and you know it.When Windows gamers get "heated" the developers don't have the luxury to stop supporting them. That's not the case for Linux. "I want to, but it's not worth the drama" is an exact phrase I've heard.
Quoting: liamdaweSo you keep saying but without something to show for it, all people will think is you're another armchair expert trying to make themselves sound important. Stop doing it. I'm not trying to be horrible here, seriously, but it's very annoying when people use a line like this, repeatedly, like their opinion is more important than others.I'm not saying my opinion is more important than yours, it's not, not sure where you got that. I'm just trying to give insight into how developers (particularly indie) tend to see the situation because I've been in that situation. If you don't believe me, that's fine. Maybe you could reach out to some developers who decided against a Linux port and ask them - off the record - their impressions of the community. I bet it won't be sunshines and rainbows.
No i bet not at the same time they should then interview Fereal interactive who would say there market is people who know there shit when it comes to coding and if you treat them like a second class market and dont put in effort into the port they will let you know. Now death threats should never happen over any game because thats just stupid. As for whether you are a game developer or a game q a tester i dont know or care But if you arent stop claiming you are its pointless.
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