The Finals Developers Reaffirm Commitment to Steam Deck and Linux Players Despite Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat Implementation

Embark Studios has reassured its player community that 'The Finals' will remain accessible on Steam Deck and Linux platforms, despite the integration of kernel-level anti-cheat technology. This commitment represents a significant departure from common industry practices, where advanced anti-cheating solutions often exclude non-Windows operating systems. The development team is actively engaged in maintaining compatibility, collaborating with experts to ensure a consistent gaming experience for all users, highlighting a progressive approach to platform inclusivity in the competitive gaming landscape.

Sustaining Linux Gaming Support

Embark Studios has publicly declared its intention to continue supporting 'The Finals' on Steam Deck and Linux, a notable decision considering the recent introduction of kernel-level anti-cheat. Typically, the implementation of such deeply integrated anti-cheating systems poses significant challenges for non-Windows environments, often leading to a cessation of support. However, the developers have stated there are no intentions to discontinue support for SteamOS, Proton, or Wine, or the Steam Deck specifically.

This steadfast commitment by Embark Studios is particularly noteworthy in an industry where games frequently drop Linux support following anti-cheat updates. They acknowledge that while these platforms are not officially supported, they are dedicated to ensuring continued playability. The studio is working in conjunction with CodeWeavers to rigorously test each game update, catching and rectifying any potential issues that might affect Steam Deck users. This proactive approach demonstrates a clear understanding and appreciation of the passionate and expanding Linux gaming community, inviting users to report any problems directly to facilitate ongoing improvements and maintenance. This collaborative effort helps bridge the gap between advanced anti-cheat requirements and cross-platform compatibility, setting a positive precedent for the gaming community.

Navigating Anti-Cheat Challenges and Future Prospects

The decision to incorporate kernel-level anti-cheat in 'The Finals' stems from the escalating sophistication of modern cheating tools, which frequently leverage kernel-level privileges to bypass standard anti-cheat mechanisms. Embark Studios views this measure as essential for the integrity and fairness of competitive multiplayer gaming in the foreseeable future. Despite the inherent difficulties this technology presents for Linux compatibility, the developers are actively mitigating these challenges, collaborating closely with CodeWeavers—a company renowned for its work on Wine and Proton compatibility layers.

This ongoing partnership allows Embark Studios to perform early quality assurance checks on their releases, ensuring that updates to 'The Finals' remain compatible with Steam Deck. This proactive engagement is a welcome development for Linux gamers, especially as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life, prompting many to explore alternative operating systems like SteamOS and other gaming-focused Linux distributions. While the long-term stability of this support remains to be seen, given past instances where other titles eventually withdrew Linux compatibility, Embark Studios' current dedication offers a hopeful outlook for the Linux gaming ecosystem, demonstrating a genuine effort to cater to a diverse player base.