Battlefield 1 received an update on October 22 that updated the game’s anti-cheat measures, effectively eliminating any compatibility with the. It’s disheartening to witness another Linux-averse EA game abandon the Steam Deck library, further limiting its compatibility.
EA is integrating EA Anti-Cheat (EAAC) technology into the majority of its internally developed video games, a move that precludes optimal performance on compatible handheld gaming PCs. Despite its limitations, the Steam Deck’s incompatibility with Linux has sparked a heated debate about the size of the handheld gaming console’s user base, raising questions about whether major publishers can afford to sacrifice compatibility without significant repercussions. Recently, a similar issue arose in GTA 5 on Steam Deck, where an update also introduced an anti-cheat measure that is incompatible with Valve’s handheld.
The EA Sports Active Cricket replacement for Battlefield 1 was initially slated for a September release, but its debut was subsequently pushed back by a month, with no explanation provided for the delay. The World War II-themed first-person shooter, despite its enduring popularity with daily player numbers averaging between 10-15,000, finds itself in the company of other unsupported titles like F1 24, EA WRC 24, and Battlefield V on Steam Deck due to EA’s decision to abandon support for Advanced Encryption Algorithm.
As anxiety grips gamers, whispers circulate about a possible replacement for the dwindling EA titles sans EA Access, with Apex Legends being eyed as a potential successor. EA appears set to migrate all its games under the same anti-cheat umbrella, with Simple Anti-Cheat, currently Linux-friendly, already in use in the sport.
The recent transfer has sparked a discussion on the r/SteamDeck subreddit about estimating the size of the Steam Deck user base, since such data remains unavailable? According to installbaseforum’s analysis combining daily active users and controller statistics, it’s estimated that approximately 1.98 million monthly active users enjoy playing on a Steam Deck.
While it’s impressive that some gamers can immediately disengage from their favorite game, this phenomenon accounts for only 1.5% of total monthly Steam users when viewed in proportion to the overall community.
For those seeking the ideal Steam Deck gaming experiences that actually work, we’ve curated a list of expert-recommended titles for your consideration.
