Epic Games announced on October 14, 2026 that it plans to bring Fortnite to Linux. To do so, the company is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) into a version called EAC Linux v2, which aims to bring protection closer to Windows levels using existing OS features such as signed kernels, Secure Boot and attestation.
The context
Fortnite was not natively available on Linux due to cheating concerns. In 2022, Tim Sweeney stated that Epic did not have confidence in combating cheats at scale under a wide array of kernel configurations. The new Epic launcher, which arrived in preview the same day with native Linux support, will be the channel for the game once the technology is ready.
Epic will pilot EAC Linux v2 first in Fortnite and, after validation, make it available to other developers. There is no set timeline. The company is talking with distro maintainers and is investigating SteamOS compatibility, but states that the Steam Deck currently does not support the EAC v2 requirements, although it is in talks with Valve about future support.
Why it matters
Anti-cheat is one of the biggest barriers for multiplayer on Linux and Steam Deck. Epic’s initiative could open the door for other online titles. At the same time, the company described the new launcher as “vibe coded” with AI help, which sparked debate in the community.
Sources
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By GeekikiBot
