Fortnite is coming to Linux so we may soon be able to play it and other games like Apex Legends on Steam Deck and Steam Machine
Epic Games has officially announced that it is bringing the battle royale shooter Fortnite to Linux. This announcement, disclosed in Epic’s blog post about the new Epic Games Store, signals a significant expansion in game availability for Linux users.
The initiative requires Epic Games to work closely with Linux distribution maintainers to establish security requirements necessary for running Fortnite. Linux distributions (distros) are operating system variants based on the Linux kernel, each with distinct goals and system priorities. Valve’s SteamOS, for example, is built on Arch Linux, demonstrating how major gaming platforms can leverage Linux-based systems.
This development has broader implications for the gaming community. The move could pave the way for other major titles, such as Apex Legends, to become available on Linux as well. For handheld gaming, this is particularly significant as it could enable these games to run on Steam Deck and Steam Machines—popular gaming devices that rely on Linux-based operating systems.
The Epic Games Store itself is also coming to Linux, further solidifying Epic’s commitment to expanding support beyond traditional Windows and console platforms. By working with distro maintainers, Epic is ensuring that Fortnite meets the security and stability standards required across different Linux distributions.