Epic Games is preparing to bring Fortnite to Linux with a new version of Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) designed to address the security issues that have prevented official support for the platform. The company is rebuilding its anti-cheat system for Linux, but Fortnite is not available yet, and Epic has not announced a release date.
Linux gamers have traditionally relied on compatibility tools such as Proton to run Windows games, but anti-cheat restrictions have kept some competitive multiplayer titles from working properly. Although Easy Anti-Cheat has supported Linux for years, developers must enable and configure that support for individual games. Epic says its existing implementation cannot provide security comparable to the Windows version, which has led to the development of EAC Linux v2.
The updated system will use Linux security features instead of relying on a dedicated anti-cheat kernel driver. Requirements include a signed kernel and modules, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, measured boot, kernel lockdown integrity mode, disabled kexec, and an active BPF Linux Security Module. IOMMU support will also be required on non-handheld systems.
Epic says eBPF-based checks will help protect game memory and detect cheats, while a systemd service will run only when a protected game is active. These requirements could create compatibility issues for users running custom kernels or unsigned third-party modules.
The company is working with Linux distribution maintainers to establish supported configurations. The initial list of recognized signing keys includes Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, openSUSE, and Universal Blue, the project behind Bazzite Linux.
Fortnite will be the first game to test EAC Linux v2 in a live environment. Epic plans to offer the updated anti-cheat system to other developers after validation, potentially making Linux a more viable option for competitive multiplayer gaming.
Steam Deck support remains uncertain. Epic says Valve’s handheld currently lacks the features required by EAC Linux v2, although discussions with Valve are ongoing. Epic has also confirmed that it does not plan to release Fortnite on Steam.
The upcoming Linux release could give desktop Linux users an official way to play Fortnite without depending on unofficial workarounds. However, the new security requirements mean that not every Linux installation will necessarily be compatible. Epic has yet to confirm the launch date or provide a final list of supported configurations.
