As an update to my previous article talking about Easy Anti-Cheat, as it turns out they're not stopping official native Linux support for it at all. Previously we got word from Garry Newman of Facepunch Studios, who said "EAC are pausing their Linux support" but as it turns out that's not right.
Here's what Epic Games told me over email this morning:
Thanks for reaching out! Sorry to see all the confusion on this topic.Garry's comments reflect day-to-day prioritization decisions between anti-cheat issues across all of the platforms we support. These ongoing trade-offs in priorities don't mean there is any change in the long-term development of our Linux anti-cheat, and we remain committed to providing the support necessary for Linux as a gaming platform.
They also notified me they put a Twitter post out in public to also confirm this. Additionally, they also mentioned in a reply to someone on Twitter that work seems to be in progress to support EAC in Wine "EAC/Wine compatibility is currently in a beta state", which means Steam Play support should hopefully come eventually.
For those who don't quite understand, it's likely that Linux-related issues are just a much lower priority (for obvious reasons) compared to issues being found on other bigger platforms.
So…as you were, carry on, nothing to see here. A bit of good news is how I like to start my day. However, it also means I personally jumped the gun on this which seems to have caused a bit of a storm with it being shared wildly across Reddit, Twitter and YouTubers using it to claim Epic Games is killing off Steam Play and so on.
I honestly thought such a well-known game developer could be taken at their word but I was wrong on that. So for that, I apologise. I am only human, I do make mistakes and I will reflect on it.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: constI can add as many words as people want, someone will always be unhappy with how I present something. Outrage culture is sadly a very real thing, even in our smaller community here.Quoting: dpanterWhen the Reddit post appeared in the GoL Discord...
IMHO; Liam did the right thing by reporting something that could potentially have a dramatic impact on the future of Linux gaming. The actual sources have responded to his request for clarification and we can now remove our tinfoil hats and return to sanity.
At least until the next imaginary reason for panic emerges.
IMHO: Liam did a good job, but had he added some words to keep emotions in check (and we know he could), he would have done an even better job.
Also, reading the replies to the tweet: gosh, twitter is aweful.
Also, Garry said this on Reddit today:
QuoteHey thanks for the nudge and trying to inject some clarity, I didn't know Epic was anti-linux and I've never had that impression from them or EAC, all this is the first I've heard about it.So he's still saying EAC clearly told him it was paused. He's also trying to fan the flames on Twitter again *sigh*, I hope people don't fall into it this time and start throwing mud, just leave him to it, he loves the attention.
As far as I remember it was mentioned in conversation (by us) that we had an increasing amount of cheats on Linux, and contemplated whether it was better off to just stop shipping the linux version (our decision). EAC said that the linux development was paused so it would be fine by them. I didn't get the impression they meant over all games they protect, but I can see how their development time would go into stopping the majority of cheats.
Personally, I've come to the conclusion that there are only negatives to shipping games to linux for us. It's a nice thing to do, but it's not financially viable to pay £100k+ a year in wages to support a linux version when it makes less than £5k- a year. So it's no good for us if we do it right, and it's no good for end users if we do it wrong. The argument is made that if we did it right and invested, there'd be a lot more sales and it'd be more sustainable.. but even if it sold 100x more than it did on linux, it'd still be 10x less than it did on macos, and 1000x less than it does on windows. The pragmatic thing to do is not ship games on linux.
6 Likes, Who?
Quoting: liamdaweQuoting: constI can add as many words as people want, someone will always be unhappy with how I present something. Outrage culture is sadly a very real thing, even in our smaller community here.Quoting: dpanterWhen the Reddit post appeared in the GoL Discord...
IMHO; Liam did the right thing by reporting something that could potentially have a dramatic impact on the future of Linux gaming. The actual sources have responded to his request for clarification and we can now remove our tinfoil hats and return to sanity.
At least until the next imaginary reason for panic emerges.
IMHO: Liam did a good job, but had he added some words to keep emotions in check (and we know he could), he would have done an even better job.
Also, reading the replies to the tweet: gosh, twitter is aweful.
Also, Garry said this on Reddit today:
QuoteHey thanks for the nudge and trying to inject some clarity, I didn't know Epic was anti-linux and I've never had that impression from them or EAC, all this is the first I've heard about it.So he's still saying EAC clearly told him it was paused. He's also trying to fan the flames on Twitter again *sigh*, I hope people don't fall into it this time and start throwing mud, just leave him to it, he loves the attention.
As far as I remember it was mentioned in conversation (by us) that we had an increasing amount of cheats on Linux, and contemplated whether it was better off to just stop shipping the linux version (our decision). EAC said that the linux development was paused so it would be fine by them. I didn't get the impression they meant over all games they protect, but I can see how their development time would go into stopping the majority of cheats.
Personally, I've come to the conclusion that there are only negatives to shipping games to linux for us. It's a nice thing to do, but it's not financially viable to pay £100k+ a year in wages to support a linux version when it makes less than £5k- a year. So it's no good for us if we do it right, and it's no good for end users if we do it wrong. The argument is made that if we did it right and invested, there'd be a lot more sales and it'd be more sustainable.. but even if it sold 100x more than it did on linux, it'd still be 10x less than it did on macos, and 1000x less than it does on windows. The pragmatic thing to do is not ship games on linux.
Linux selling 50times worse then Mac? That's clearly showing we don't like his games ^^
Who knows, maybe he has a fair point. I'll take out my popcorn and watch the debate. And I hope there will be a debate. Middleware is just so important.
Last edited by const on 7 May 2019 at 11:26 am UTC
2 Likes, Who?
@liamdawe The mere fact that you apologize for "jumping the gun" is a proof to me that you want to build a transparent and honest community, and I praise you for that. Indeed you now have way more influence than a few years back, so now you need to be careful with that new responsibility ;)
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
3 Likes, Who?
Quoting: Creak@liamdawe The mere fact that you apologize for "jumping the gun" is a proof to me that you want to build a transparent and honest community, and I praise you for that. Indeed you now have way more influence than a few years back, so now you need to be careful with that new responsibility ;)Sadly I'm already seeing people using it to give me grief but oh well, live and learn.
Keep up the good work!
2 Likes, Who?
Well that's great news! I'm glad to hear it, and frankly I'm more than a bit relieved. For once Epic was nice to us.
But ooooo I hate it when Epic are nice! It makes despising then so damn awkward!
;)
Last edited by Nanobang on 7 May 2019 at 11:48 am UTC
But ooooo I hate it when Epic are nice! It makes despising then so damn awkward!
;)
Last edited by Nanobang on 7 May 2019 at 11:48 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Hey people, let's not be "these guys", please..
Whether we like it or not, Linux gaming is only a tiny fraction of the market share, and we have figures all over the place to prove that. I do hope this situation will change, but for now, it would be suicidal for any company to prioritize Linux over any other platforms just because... it's Linux and we deserve it.
Other platforms have bugs too (because software development is never over), and when a bug hits 1 million players vs 8100 players (Steam survey, it would be completely insane to prioritize the latter. I hope you can understand the logic here.
Whether we like it or not, Linux gaming is only a tiny fraction of the market share, and we have figures all over the place to prove that. I do hope this situation will change, but for now, it would be suicidal for any company to prioritize Linux over any other platforms just because... it's Linux and we deserve it.
Other platforms have bugs too (because software development is never over), and when a bug hits 1 million players vs 8100 players (Steam survey, it would be completely insane to prioritize the latter. I hope you can understand the logic here.
4 Likes, Who?
Does Street Fighter V uses EAC?
0 Likes
Quoting: liamdaweAlso, Garry said this on Reddit today:
Ya I responded to him on that and it looks like he downvoted me. Its really sad tbh. A majority of his issues would be solved if he changed his attitude, but it doesnt seem like he's willing. Seems his development skills are lacking and his immaturity abundant.
Last edited by jardon on 7 May 2019 at 12:20 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
There might be nothing to see today, but through delays, ops and misunderstandings softwares can slowly die.
If there is one thing I appreciate of Epic is the transparency they have in saying exactly what they are going to do in the immediate. But when it comes to explain what the mid and long term effects of their actions are, they tend to manipulative... or "creative" at the very least.
I would keep EAC under observation in the coming months.
If there is one thing I appreciate of Epic is the transparency they have in saying exactly what they are going to do in the immediate. But when it comes to explain what the mid and long term effects of their actions are, they tend to manipulative... or "creative" at the very least.
I would keep EAC under observation in the coming months.
1 Likes, Who?
I don't see any gum jumping. A major developer cast aspersions on Linux support for a crucial piece of middleware affecting many games. I want that news reported.
If Liam sat on news like this, waiting for official communications, half the controversial stories would break elsewhere, without any community damage control, such as dredgepits like Reddit.
Please keep doing what you're doing, Liam. It's much appreciated.
If Liam sat on news like this, waiting for official communications, half the controversial stories would break elsewhere, without any community damage control, such as dredgepits like Reddit.
Please keep doing what you're doing, Liam. It's much appreciated.
10 Likes, Who?
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me