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As an update to my previous article talking about Easy Anti-Cheat, as it turns out they're not stopping official native Linux support for it at all. Previously we got word from Garry Newman of Facepunch Studios, who said "EAC are pausing their Linux support" but as it turns out that's not right.

Here's what Epic Games told me over email this morning:

Thanks for reaching out! Sorry to see all the confusion on this topic.
 
Garry's comments reflect day-to-day prioritization decisions between anti-cheat issues across all of the platforms we support. These ongoing trade-offs in priorities don't mean there is any change in the long-term development of our Linux anti-cheat, and we remain committed to providing the support necessary for Linux as a gaming platform.

They also notified me they put a Twitter post out in public to also confirm this. Additionally, they also mentioned in a reply to someone on Twitter that work seems to be in progress to support EAC in Wine "EAC/Wine compatibility is currently in a beta state", which means Steam Play support should hopefully come eventually.

For those who don't quite understand, it's likely that Linux-related issues are just a much lower priority (for obvious reasons) compared to issues being found on other bigger platforms.

So…as you were, carry on, nothing to see here. A bit of good news is how I like to start my day. However, it also means I personally jumped the gun on this which seems to have caused a bit of a storm with it being shared wildly across Reddit, Twitter and YouTubers using it to claim Epic Games is killing off Steam Play and so on.

I honestly thought such a well-known game developer could be taken at their word but I was wrong on that. So for that, I apologise. I am only human, I do make mistakes and I will reflect on it.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Switches May 7, 2019
Liam, I don't think you "jumped the gun" the way it was written would lead anyone to the same conclusion... Also, I agree with Rugaliz, even with the statement that was made by Epic in this post it still sounds "paused" as it were. Linux taking less of a priority imo is never good news.

Personally, I would prefer to see more studios making Linux a "high" priority. I remain optimistic even after all these years lol
gradyvuckovic May 7, 2019
OK, two things, good and bad... well, start with the bad I guess.

QuoteTo clarify, Easy Anti-Cheat still provides native Linux support and will continue to do so. Earlier comments by a partner reflect ordinary day-to-day prioritization decisions on anti-cheat issues across all platforms and not any change in long-term priority for Linux.

.. that's an odd combination of lots of words to deny support hasn't 'paused'. Lets break them down.

QuoteEasy Anti-Cheat still provides native Linux support and will continue to do so.

Well, yes, technically, but doesn't necessarily mean that development hasn't paused.

QuoteEarlier comments by a partner reflect ordinary day-to-day prioritization decisions

Wait, whose decisions? Facepunch's or EAC's? Sounds like EAC's? It doesn't sound like they're denying this but just qualifying it..

Quotenot any change in long-term priority for Linux.

To me, to be honest, this sounds like 'the pause is only short term'.. which makes sense since that's what a pause is.

Well, enough of the bad, looking on the good side..

QuoteEAC/Wine compatibility is currently in a beta state with several games whose help we appreciate, but significantly more work is needed to get it to a suitably stable and hardened level for all.

Well. That could be a positive message? Maybe. If this implies work is ongoing between Valve and EAC, and compatibility is getting there, then we could have EAC compatibility in a few months? Which would be amazing of course.

I don't know, there's a lot of PR talk in this.


Last edited by gradyvuckovic on 7 May 2019 at 9:09 am UTC
Alloc May 7, 2019
Quoting: gradyvuckovic
QuoteEarlier comments by a partner reflect ordinary day-to-day prioritization decisions

Wait, whose decisions? Facepunch's or EAC's? Sounds like EAC's? It doesn't sound like they're denying this but just qualifying it..
Look at the twitter link. The text is from EAC guys, so partner can only really mean FP, not EAC ;)

Can't remember the EAC guys ever not having been supportive, no matter what platform issues arrived on.
AlexanderDeLarge May 7, 2019
Really glad to see this isn't the case and I'm glad it started a conversation about middleware and Linux compatibility. Also it's them that should've been clear on the subject. You did your due diligence Liam.
Termy May 7, 2019
Lets hope that those words are worth a penny and not written by bullshit-sweeny ^^

And i don't think you should feel bad for "jumping the gun" - if nothing else, the outcry should show EAC and others that dropping Linux-Support will not go unnoticed...
ixnari May 7, 2019
QuoteThese ongoing trade-offs in priorities don't mean there is any change in the long-term development of our Linux anti-cheat, and we remain committed to providing the support necessary for Linux as a gaming platform.

I hope this is just me being cynical, but does this statement come off as meaning nothing to anyone else?

They say that there are no long-term changes in their Linux development plan. Okay, but I can't tell what constitutes a change if I don't know what the original plans were. It could mean Linux will get an update later down the line. It could also mean that Linux support in the original plan was minimal or non-existent and that this won't benefit Linux gamers in any way whatsoever.

I suppose we will just have to wait and see.
mao_dze_dun May 7, 2019
Oh, for fuck sake, what do you people want? A written statement signed in Tim Sweeney's blood? They're not stopping anything and just being honest about prioritizing Windows over Linux because duh. Being critical of Epic is one thing, but being ridiculous tin foil wearer is just absurd.

Good for you for owning up the mistake Liam. Also thank you for the new info on the matter.
dpanter May 7, 2019
When the Reddit post appeared in the GoL Discord...

Quoting: dpantereh, gonna need a proper source tbh, not just angry ranting on reddit
and

Quoting: dpanterall we have to go on is an angry dev's comment on reddit. <shrug emoji> (or whatever that garry guy is)
maybe not panic just yet

Aaaaand then there was panic. We should know better by now, really. :(

IMHO; Liam did the right thing by reporting something that could potentially have a dramatic impact on the future of Linux gaming. The actual sources have responded to his request for clarification and we can now remove our tinfoil hats and return to sanity.

At least until the next imaginary reason for panic emerges.
const May 7, 2019
Quoting: dpanterWhen the Reddit post appeared in the GoL Discord...


IMHO; Liam did the right thing by reporting something that could potentially have a dramatic impact on the future of Linux gaming. The actual sources have responded to his request for clarification and we can now remove our tinfoil hats and return to sanity.

At least until the next imaginary reason for panic emerges.

IMHO: Liam did a good job, but had he added some words to keep emotions in check (and we know he could), he would have done an even better job.
Also, reading the replies to the tweet: gosh, twitter is aweful.
mylka May 7, 2019
i think it wouldnt be a good idea to stop linux support before stadia is released
of course stadia doesnt need anti cheat, but like Ashes of the Singularity some developers will release a linux port on steam, gog and itch if they already have it for stadia
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