Here we go once again, EA are about to completely break another game on Steam Deck and Desktop Linux and this time it's Battlefield 1. Originally released back in 2016, it still sees some pretty good player numbers on Steam hitting a concurrent player peak of 15,117 in the last 24 hours.
In an official news post, which was recently updated, it now states that Battlefield 1 is set to get the kernel-mode anti-cheat and anti-tamper solution EA anticheat in September. This follows on from Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, EA SPORTS WRC and Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 that all added it after release. It's also in their EA SPORTS FC series, with it originally first rolling out in FIFA 23 and has since expanded to include the others.
The big problem is, EA don't support Linux platforms at all with EA anticheat and so games using it won't work at all on Steam Deck or Desktop Linux.
EA also recently did a separate post on August 22nd talking about EA anticheat noting is has "prevented nearly five million attempts (and counting!) to cheat in EA anticheat-protected games" and they make it clear they plan to add EA anticheat into more titles across "FY25" (the 2025 financial year).
What this does is just highlight a problem with buying multiplayer games that aren't explicitly said to be supported on your platform. Proton is incredible, it does enable tens of thousands of games to run on Steam Deck and Desktop Linux, but in times like this EA can just write it off without a bother. How? Well, it's not EA selling it to you saying it's supported to run their Windows game it via Proton.
It's also worth noting that Valve updated the Battlefield 1 Steam Deck rating from Playable to Unsupported 5 days ago. Still, no refunds will come for those who are outside the normal Steam refund policies, even if your primary way to play is a Linux-based platform and that stings to just have a broken game.
At this point, it's probably only a matter of time until Apex Legends gets EA anticheat. That one will really be a big issue, since it's one of the most popular games on Steam.
It's an interesting contrast with BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard that EA publish, which is Steam Deck Verified ahead of release with the developers repeatedly mentioning it. But hey, it's not a multiplayer game.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Mohandevir Aug 27
Quoting: MohandevirLet's just hope Microsoft end up locking them out of kernel access, just to make this a complete waste of time and money, for EA.If only that same logic can be applied to all kernel anticheats from companies like Activision and Riot Games.
Last edited by ToddL on 27 August 2024 at 6:59 pm UTC
Next game's free for me, how about that EA? You steal I steal.
I have just looked through my Library to discover I actually own (unspecified time rentals) 35 EA games inc this one. I must of acquired these games during steam sales as I have not played most of them. Would Valve still consider a refund if not played after 14 days?. I will no longer be purchasing any games published under the EA umbrella going forward.
Anyway they better not break Dirt Rally as I have just opened a huge can of worms getting into "sim racing" and are discovering the many pitfalls in relation to hardware support on Linux. Would welcome any purchase advice regarding Wheels, Frames etc. I do have a Logitec G29 but looking for a DD solution.
TactikalKitty Aug 27
If it weren't for me being so invested into the Sims, I would've ditched EA a long time ago. Same for Ubisoft...but damn I'm a big Splinter Cell fan...
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