this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2026
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Linux Gaming

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Epic Games is launching a new, faster, lighter Preview version of its launcher available now for Linux with upcoming Fortnite support (lemmy.ml)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by mr_MADAFAKA@lemmy.ml to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
64 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

https://launcher.epicgames.com/

From FAQ:

What should I know about Linux support?

The new Epic Games Launcher runs natively on Linux, but many games are Windows-only builds and may need a compatibility layer. Check each game’s Linux compatibility before installing.

We support Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer, Fedora 43 or newer, and Debian 12 or newer. Other distributions may work but aren’t officially tested or supported.

Use the Send feedback button in the launcher to report issues.

https://onlineservices.epicgames.com/news/introducing-easy-anti-cheat-linux-v2

Also epic is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat for Linux (EAC Linux v2) to deliver near-Windows-level protection using signed kernels, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and other existing Linux security features starting with a Fortnite, so more multiplayer games can finally support the platform without enabling widespread cheating.

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[–] Shanmugha@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago

Stay the fuck off my kernel. Signed, me

[–] kugmo@sh.itjust.works 74 points 1 day ago (8 children)

epic is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat for Linux (EAC Linux v2) to deliver near-Windows-level protection using signed kernels, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and other existing Linux security features starting with a Fortnite

That's some anti-christ shit

[–] nkk@programming.dev 22 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

It may not be your thing, but I believe this is a good thing. Some people don't make the switch to Linux at all because they can't play games with kernel-level anticheat. At the very least, anyone who may dual boot Linux and Windows can now boot Linux and their anticheat kernel Linux. Hopefully other Windows-only games will follow.

[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago

Some people don't make the switch to Linux at all because they can't play games with kernel-level anticheat.

Then they should suffer with Microslop until they get some self-esteem and better taste in games

[–] AmyAye@nord.pub 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I use Linux on everything but my main desktop (Laptop, Project Server, web server, some Rpis), primarily because I like Fortnite.

So I am looking forward to this.

I am going to play Fortnite anyway, which means anti cheat etc anyway, I would love to have it in Linux instead of Windows.

[–] CheesyFingers@piefed.social 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Your deal breaker is Fortnite?

[–] AmyAye@nord.pub 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I like playing games. I don't do much besides play games on that desktop, anything else is done on my laptop.

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[–] deafboy@lemmy.world 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Checking if you run the default kernel is way better than shipping rootkit to everyone.

It's almost too good to be true.

[–] CalcProgrammer1@lemmy.today 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The worse part is requiring secure boot, as if I wanted to have a dual kernel set up (my nornal, unsigned, I own my hardware and do what I want with it kernel and my locked down, M$ approved and signed, we own you epic games kernel) I can't just switch between them with a bootloader like rEFInd or GRUB, I have to go and enable secure boot each time in the BIOS. You don't need secure boot to play Fortnite on Windows. This is worse somehow.

[–] arudesalad@piefed.ca 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Secure boot + tpm is probably a developer toggle the same way linux is now. It would be stupid to make linux users jump through more hoops than windows users, we are basically all people who gave up trying to jump through hoops for tech companies. HOWEVER, we are talking about epic games

[–] CrayCray@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago

Kernel Level Anti Cheat with remote attestation on Linux. Great. :/

[–] SirHaxalot@nord.pub 7 points 1 day ago

That they are building an anti-cheat with existing open kernel security features instead of writing their own kernel modules is somehow a bad thing?

[–] 42yeah@eviltoast.org 8 points 1 day ago

Easy Anti-Christ

[–] gollumsfish@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 day ago

Well there’s still the option for you not to install it.

Personally, I’d rather want this type of anticheat than having to use windows ever again.

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[–] FreeBooteR69@lemmy.ca 20 points 1 day ago

Hard pass on the Epic Vibe Launcher. Heroic it is.

[–] Ep1cFac3pa1m@lemmy.world 47 points 1 day ago (7 children)

Didn’t Epic just force some of their Devs into a slop-first programming model?

[–] squirrel@lemmy.blahaj.zone 57 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Yes, and - of course - the launcher is vibe-coded too. They even proudly say so on the announcement page:

Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that’s way faster and more responsive than the current one, and has a new look.

[–] Thaurin@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Holy shit! That’s a first for me. I’m not as anti as I once was, but vibe coding is just irresponsible. Do they have the same definition of it as I have?

[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago

A quote from Tim Swiney in the announcement is that "it'll have advanced features like a shopping cart".

No, I'm not kidding. He really fucking said that

[–] spankysalmon@fedinsfw.app 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How is anyone but you supposed to know that unless you define yours?

[–] Thaurin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Not even looking at the code, but only seeing it kinda works at a functional level, usually only superficially.

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[–] ClassyHatter@sopuli.xyz 27 points 1 day ago (2 children)

TLDR for those who didn't read the EAC Linux v2 post.

On hardware side, it requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and Input-Output Memory Management Unit (IOMMU) enabled in BIOS.

On software side, it requires a signed kernel and kernel modules, measured boot, kernel lockdown integrity mode, kexec to be disabled, and Linux Security Module BPF.

Where keys are needed, they must all be well-known. Epic maintains a list of well-known keys.

Basically this all requires that your machine has the required features and that your distribution provides a proper kernel.

Does EAC Linux v2 use a kernel driver?

No. EAC Linux v2 does not install or load an anti-cheat kernel module. It uses security features already provided by the Linux kernel, together with an anti-cheat systemd service and eBPF programs.

Does EAC Linux v2 run in the background all the time?

No. It includes a systemd service, but the service only starts when a protected game starts and it stops when the game exits.

[–] tomten@lemmy.world 2 points 8 hours ago

If I'm not mistaken eBPF is code executing in the kernel, so I'm guessing that systemd service loads the kernel part of the anti cheat. If so this is a root kit.

[–] arudesalad@piefed.ca 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It depends on systemd? I don't care about init systems but watching the people who do is going to be very funny when it releases.

(I hate having to fiddle with my bios so I'll probably stick to my switch for eac games but at least it isn't a rootkit)

[–] Reality@feddit.org 2 points 10 hours ago

The more I've used Linux, the more I've come around on the idea of systemd. At least now it's easy to understand services and their status.

[–] muhyb@programming.dev 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My speculation but people who purposefully don't use systemd probably won't care about Epic Vibe Launcher anyway.

[–] arudesalad@piefed.ca 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Yeah but people on the internet also like getting mad at things

[–] muhyb@programming.dev 4 points 1 day ago

Eh, we have rights to yell at cloud. :)

[–] Chais@sh.itjust.works 28 points 1 day ago

Not gonna install a rootkit on Linux, either.

[–] Mwa@thelemmy.club 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

its vibe coded apparently
also anticheats on Linux is gonna start being a little more intrusive

[–] jjlinux@lemmy.zip 23 points 1 day ago

Epic games can go fuck themselves, in Windows and Linux alike.

[–] lIlIlIlIlIlIl@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago

If a ~~tree~~ new launcher ~~falls~~ launches ~~in the woods~~ at Epic, ~~does it make a sound~~ does anyone fucking care?

[–] emb@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

"I wish games with anti-cheat had Linux support!"

Monkey's paw curls

[–] loo@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

I think this generally is a good thing but I'm gonna pass on the rootkit and the launcher with ads and popups. Also, very funny to me that suddenly Linux is a priority after saying that they won't support Linux because it's not in their financial interest

[–] kshade@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Cool I guess, but still trying to make client-side cheat detection happen is so futile and stupid.

[–] Fishcake@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 1 day ago

I have no interest in using their launcher, new “faster, lighter” version or not (I’ll stick with Heroic), but I hope this means they’ll start distributing native Linux versions of games on their platform. I got Enter the Gungeon for free on Epic and I’m forced to play it through Proton even though the game has a native build

[–] jtrek@startrek.website 5 points 1 day ago

Meh. Heroic launcher has been fine.

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

From: https://onlineservices.epicgames.com/news/introducing-easy-anti-cheat-linux-v2

We are starting to reach out to leaders in the Linux community

It's okay, we know who you talk to.

[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Omarchy?

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

I wanted make a joke about this, but thinking through, its a fair enough reply/question. I was thinking of Linux Gaming specifically. But the more I think about it, Omarchy isn't leading the Linux community, if anything its not for the community but for corporations if we split hairs. Also the quote I had put out talks about "leaders", meaning multiple. And they want to have it integrated into non gaming focused distributions as well.

Turns out, we don't know with certainty who they talk to.

[–] zewm@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

As someone who enjoys Fortnite but gave it up when I switched to full time Linux, this is exciting. I would love to jump back in.

If this is a success and we start seeing other games like COD have Linux support, I will be super happy.

You may not like the games, but you should never be against the option for people to play them on Linux.

[–] Krudler@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

It's 2026 and the store, and the launcher function like a prototype that I would cobble together in 2 hours.

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