Fortnite is officially making the jump to Linux

Epic Games has confirmed it is working to bring its battle royale hit, Fortnite, to Linux. As reported by Eurogamer, the news was revealed alongside plans to bring the Epic Games Store to the Linux platform.

Bringing the game to Linux isn’t just about a new launcher; it’s a complex technical hurdle. According to Epic, the process requires collaboration with various Linux distribution maintainers to meet specific security requirements. Because of the fragmented nature of Linux distributions—such as Valve’s Arch-based SteamOS—Epic notes that each will need to implement these security standards individually. Consequently, the game’s arrival on the platform is contingent on reaching a “critical mass” of distro support, though Epic has not provided specific numbers on what that threshold looks like.

The Easy Anti-Cheat connection

The broader implication here is a major update for Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), the service used by Fortnite and numerous other titles like Apex Legends, Elden Ring, and Dead by Daylight. While EAC technically supports Linux, many developers have held off on enabling it because it hasn’t historically offered the same level of security parity as the Windows version.

To bridge this gap, Epic intends to leverage Linux-specific features including signed kernels, signed kernel modules, and secure boot with attestation. The company aims to make the security environment on Linux sufficiently robust to match Windows, noting that they are keeping an open line of communication with Valve to support hardware like the Steam Deck.

Why it matters

For players, this development signals a potential shift in the viability of Linux-based gaming hardware. If these efforts succeed, it could open the door for games currently locked out of devices like the Steam Deck due to anti-cheat incompatibilities. While there is no official timeline for the rollout, Epic plans to test these new security measures within Fortnite first. If you’ve been waiting to play these titles on a Linux-based handheld or desktop, the progress of Fortnite’s Linux implementation will be the primary indicator of when that dream becomes a reality for other developers.