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.
Quoting: MohandevirQuoting: PyrateQuoting: MohandevirIf Microsoft goes forward with this idea, all kernel level anticheats might become a thing of the past.
Unfortunately, it looks like this will go down the same path as when it happened years ago, where third party kernel rootkit authors will rightfully point out that Microsoft has an advantage if it kicks all other AV software off the kernel but its own.
Unless there's been developments on this that I missed?
In fact, there could be this piece of info:
"Industry analysts believe that limiting kernel access where possible makes sense."
https://www.csoonline.com/article/3483641/crowdstrike-backs-microsofts-demand-for-reducing-kernel-level-access.html
For games, it's totally possible, imo, but I'm not Microsoft.
What Crowdstrike proposes in that article it was already doing and how it took all those systems offline.
Doing your basic stuff with the heavily regulated kernel driver and using user space material to do the actual evaluation.
Heck, forget the competition I just want my money back :|
Ain't gonna buy anything remotely touching EA anymore. Not once, not twice, they're very dedicated to break decade-old working games (the launcher saga?) too xD
officernice Aug 28
Time to get a refund.
Last edited by officernice on 28 August 2024 at 8:11 am UTC
Quoting: hazukashiidesuHeh doesn't affect me..Battlefield VBattlefield 1Battlefield 4 was the last good battlefield game..
Spoiler, click me
Actually this really is a bummer.. I've got a few workmates I join for early saturday morning BF1(only time we all have available anymore with kids and all), maybe we'll find another game, but I'm going to miss how it is now.
The closest thing you can do is use something like cloud services such as Geforce Now since it's available there but you'll need a strong network connection. This is what I did when I was close to finishing Battlefield V and my network wasn't the greatest but it was enough to get me through the remaining campaign mode.
Quoting: enigmaxg2I guess that won't happen anytime soon (unless something EXTREMELY BAD happens
Millions of PC's going offline wasn't bad enough? I think the logic many of us are having here is that if Microsoft is successful at kicking those AV vendors out of the kernel, it should have a dominos effect and hit the kernel level anti cheat mob too. If a cybersecurity firm specifically specialising in preventing what happened on July 19 fucked up, there's no reason to believe the anticheat makers won't make the same mistake in the future.
And time and again, this steaming pile of shit of a company proves me right and provides even MORE reasons why to avoid them at all costs...it's almost comical at this point...
pleasereadthemanual Aug 28
Mohandevir Aug 28
Quoting: enigmaxg2Quoting: 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.
I guess that won't happen anytime soon (unless something EXTREMELY BAD happens, like a massive exploit and/or data breach), since -on purpose or not-, this allows M$ to gatekeep gaming and prevent desktop Linux and Linux-based handhelds to reach their maximum potential.
Unfortunately, you are right about that. It's probably the only advantage that Microsoft still got over Linux, in gaming. They will probably cling to it as long as possible even if giving kernel access to a game, which is absolutely not an essential service, doesn't make sense.
Mohandevir Aug 28
Quoting: eldarionAnd this is why you should not rent a game (which is what you do when purchase anything on steam).
Please explain because, from my point of view, you will get this forced update, no matter where you bought the game, else you will get blocked from playing the game. It's not a renting or Steam issue, it's a live service game issue.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 28 August 2024 at 12:59 pm UTC
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