EA and Respawn Leisure are making a change to Apex Legends that may now not enable gamers to entry the sport by way of Linux OS, together with Steam Deck utilizing Linux.
The builders introduced the shift away from Linux help in a publish on its web site. Though it’s a transfer that may little doubt shock these affected, EA says dropping help for the OS choice is a part of the corporate’s wider initiative to take care of “aggressive integrity” and battle off cheaters.
“In our efforts to fight dishonest in Apex, we have recognized Linux OS as being a path for a wide range of impactful exploits and cheats,” the publish says. “In consequence, we have determined to dam Linux OS entry to the sport. Whereas this can impression a small variety of Apex gamers, we imagine the choice will meaningfully scale back situations of dishonest in our sport.”
EA calls Linux an “engaging” OS for these seeking to cheat for a wide range of causes. The thought course of behind the choice concerned weighing the variety of authentic Linux gamers in opposition to the impression the rising variety of cheaters has had on the typical Apex Legend fan. Whereas it’s unclear precisely what number of gamers make the most of Linux when taking part in Apex Legends, EA and Respawn say it’s a tradeoff they’re keen to make.
The rationale the workforce says it’ll be ending help for Steam Deck, which makes use of Linux by default, is that there’s “at the moment no dependable manner for us to distinguish a authentic Steam Deck from a malicious cheat claiming to be a Steam Deck (by way of Linux).” Nonetheless, if handheld customers handle to put in and use Home windows on Steam Deck as an alternative, they’ll be capable of proceed taking part in on the machine. So, whereas the builders proceed to crack down on cheaters plaguing the long-running battle royale sport, all Linux customers will now not be capable of benefit from the expertise in any respect.
“To remove this cheat vector, we’ve got made the choice to forestall entry to the sport for Linux customers,” EA continues. “Which means Apex Legends will likely be unplayable instantly for these operating this working system.”
Apex Legends introduced the Titanfall universe into the free-to-play battle royale world in 2019. We gave it a 9/10 in our assessment, saying that the expertise’s “mixture of thrilling characters, glorious gunplay, and unmatched FPS motion maintain it a constantly contemporary thrill.” Though followers took the first-person shooter’s gameplay upon launch, it’s not been with out its struggles. Respawn introduced that it might make alterations to its Battle Move mannequin in July of this 12 months however rapidly reverted many adjustments after widespread outcry from followers.
Apex Legends Season 22, titled Shockwave, is at the moment wrapping up, with Season 23 set to quickly proceed a future of seasonal updates. As for the far-off future, EA has lately confirmed that it has little interest in making Apex Legends 2.
Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He began writing within the business in 2017 and is finest identified for his work at retailers comparable to The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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