Epic Is Overhauling Its Anti-Cheat So That Fortnite Can Finally Come To A New Platform

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite is coming to Linux, with plans to launch the game through the Epic Games Launcher once its anti-cheat software is ready. To enable this move, Epic is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), its anti-cheating solution for Unreal Engine games, in a new version called EAC Linux v2.

While Easy Anti-Cheat has technically supported native Linux clients since 2014, and added support for Windows games running on Linux via Wine/Proton in 2021, most developers—including Epic itself—have not adopted Linux support due to concerns about preventing cheating at scale across different Linux kernel configurations. In February 2022, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the company lacked confidence in being able to “combat cheating at scale under a wide array of kernel configurations,” which led to Fortnite remaining unavailable on Linux despite growing demand.

The overhaul represents a significant shift in Epic’s approach. Once EAC Linux v2 is functioning reliably with a critical mass of Linux distribution maintainers, Epic will deploy it with Fortnite and make the improvements available to other developers, potentially opening the door for more major multiplayer titles to come to Linux.

The timing aligns with Linux gaming’s broader growth, driven by devices like the Steam Deck and improved compatibility tools like Valve’s Proton emulation, which have made Linux a more viable gaming platform. However, Fortnite’s Steam Deck support remains uncertain for the foreseeable future. The Epic Games Launcher itself is launching in preview on Linux for the first time, though Fortnite is not yet available on the platform. No specific timeline has been provided for when the game will become accessible to Linux players.

Epic Is Overhauling Its Anti-Cheat So That Fortnite Can Finally Come To A New Platform

Sources