Linux gamers may finally get a chance to play Fortnite without switching to Windows. Epic Games has started rolling out a preview of its new Epic Games Launcher for Linux and said it is working to bring its popular battle royale game to the operating system.
Epic needs to address a long-standing problem with its anti-cheat technology before the game can make the jump. The company has not announced a release date, so players will have to wait before dropping into the island on their Linux PCs.
Cheating has been the main reason Fortnite has stayed away from Linux. In 2022, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said the company lacked confidence in its ability to prevent cheating across the wide range of Linux system configurations.
Now, Epic is taking another shot at solving the problem. The company is rebuilding its Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system, calling the new version EAC Linux v2. It is also working with Linux distribution maintainers to meet security requirements before opening the game to a wider audience.
The plan is to test the updated system with Fortnite first. Epic hopes to share the improvements with other developers, potentially making it easier for more multiplayer games to support Linux.
The redesigned launcher is available in preview for Linux users, alongside Windows and Mac versions. According to Epic, the new app is faster and more responsive than its existing launcher.
Its arrival is an important first step, but installing the launcher will not give Linux users immediate access to Fortnite. The anti-cheat work must be completed before the game can be released on the platform. Epic has not provided a firm timetable for the launch, leaving players waiting for further updates.
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Epic is also exploring compatibility with SteamOS, the Linux-based operating system used by Valve's Steam Deck. However, the handheld currently lacks some features required by the planned EAC v2 solution, and discussions with Valve are continuing.
There is another limitation: Epic has no plans to release Fortnite through Valve's Steam store. For Linux gamers, the announcement is encouraging, but the real test will be whether Epic can deliver reliable anti-cheat protection without excluding the platform again. Until then, Fortnite's Linux arrival remains a work in progress.