Valve is actively working with game developers to integrate anti-cheat solutions into SteamOS, aiming to remove a significant barrier for playing popular online multiplayer titles on its hardware, including the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. While the ultimate adoption rests with third-party developers, Valve is providing the necessary tools and infrastructure to encourage broader compatibility and enhance the gaming experience across its platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Valve is collaborating with developers to enable anti-cheat on SteamOS.
- Lack of anti-cheat is a major obstacle for mass-market appeal of Steam hardware.
- Valve is providing TPM APIs and working with anti-cheat providers.
- Developer adoption is crucial, with no guarantee of universal support.
- The Steam Machine’s success could incentivize more developers to support SteamOS.
The Anti-Cheat Challenge on Linux
The absence of robust anti-cheat support has long been a significant disadvantage for SteamOS and Linux gaming. Major online titles like Call of Duty and Battlefield 6 often rely on kernel-level anti-cheat systems that are not compatible with the Linux kernel. This incompatibility prevents many competitive games from being playable on Valve’s hardware, limiting its appeal to a broader audience.
Valve’s Efforts and Developer Dependence
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais has confirmed that the company is working on enabling anti-cheat solutions. They have provided necessary TPM APIs for developers and are collaborating with those specializing in advanced client-side anti-cheat. However, Griffais emphasized that supporting anti-cheat is an ongoing effort that ultimately requires game developers and publishers to decide if they want to develop for SteamOS.
Incentives for Developers
Valve believes that the Steam Machine, designed for living room play and expected to attract more multiplayer gamers than the Steam Deck, will offer higher incentives for developers to enable anti-cheat. The hope is that the launch of the Steam Machine will shift the equation, leading to increased anti-cheat support and making more games accessible on the platform. The growing user base of Steam Deck has already encouraged developers to optimize games for Valve’s hardware, and anti-cheat could become another area of investment.
Developer Perspectives and Challenges
Some developers, like those at Facepunch Studios for Rust, have stated they have no plans to support Proton or Linux due to concerns about it being a vector for cheat developers and the low user base not justifying the maintenance effort. EA also withdrew Linux and Steam Deck support for Apex Legends, citing impactful exploits and cheats on Linux OS. These developers argue that fighting cheaters on Windows is already a constant battle, and adding Linux support multiplies the challenge without significant benefit to the wider player base.
Community Resources
For players looking to determine game compatibility on SteamOS, resources like ProtonDB, Steam’s own compatibility checks, and the community-driven “Are We Anti-Cheat Yet?” website are invaluable. These platforms help users identify which games, particularly those with anti-cheat, will function correctly on Valve’s hardware.
