New data shows most Windows games now work on Linux – and I hope the same will soon apply to anti-cheat titles

• New data shows that most Windows games now work on Linux
• Almost 90% of Windows games now 'manage to launch' on Linux
• However, anti-cheat multiplayer games remain a notable problem

Gaming on Linux has come a long way since Valve launched its Steam Deck, with SteamOS leading the way for a handheld-friendly gaming experience. Linux is also getting stronger on desktop PCs and laptops, too, and a fresh revelation shows just how many Windows games are now compatible with the alternative platform - even if one major flaw remains.

As highlighted by Boiling Steam, almost 90% of Windows games now 'manage to launch' on Linux, according to data drawn from ProtonDB. In short, it's now the case that when gaming on Linux - specifically on an operating system like SteamOS - people will find only a few games are completely incompatible (meaning they won't run at all).

It's also worth noting that some of the games listed as 'unsupported' titles on Steam Deck Verified are perfectly playable on Valve's handheld, or other portables running SteamOS like the Lenovo Legion Go S (or even a custom gaming PC). An example of this is Silent Hill 2, which Valve still lists as unsupported.

So with that in mind, ProtonDB provides a fairly accurate assessment of Linux game compatibility through its 'Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze' ranking system, which is what Boiling Steam's report is based on. (It's worth noting, too, that you can find plenty of these games with huge discounts applied in Valve's fourth Steam Scream Fest sale, and the upcoming Winter Sale as well, no doubt).

There is still one big issue for Linux, though - games that use anti-cheat tools remain steadfastly incompatible. And as you may have guessed, these include some of the most popular multiplayer titles. Both Activision's Call of Duty franchise, and EA's recent hit in Battlefield 6 cannot run on Linux due to their kernel-level anti-cheat systems that are implemented for Windows users.

Fortunately, there are examples of games with anti-cheat systems that do run on Linux, notably Helldivers 2 and Splitgate 2, with the developer of the latter title having worked on compatibility with Linux after its launch.

So, it's not in the realm of the impossible for anti-cheat games to work on Linux distros eventually. However, EA's Javelin and Activision's Ricochet anti-cheat systems have notoriously never played nice with Linux, and it doesn't seem like there are any plans to make these tools work with the alternative OS.

Analysis: kernel-level anti-cheat is one of the worst things to happen to online multiplayer

It's quite ironic that kernel-level anti-cheat systems are put in place by the likes of Activision in an effort to prevent cheaters, yet they do not, in fact, stop cheating. This was made evidently clear during the Call of Duty Black Ops 7 beta, which was filled with a host of cheats that I saw myself while in-game (and via multiple videos online).

And even if there are cases where anti-cheat works effectively, hackers are always spotting new vulnerabilities to bypass said systems. This makes anti-cheat solutions feel more like a punishment inflicted on all gamers as a result, especially as kernel-level access potentially leaves systems open to security vulnerabilities, and these tools can sometimes negatively impact gaming performance, too.

The fact that these tools also make many popular online games incompatible with Linux PCs and handhelds further rubs salt into the wound, and for me means that anti-cheat is more of a detriment to multiplayer games than it is a benefit.

Arguably, this is in the same category as DRM like Denuvo, in terms of punishing all consumers - with an impact on game performance - to address the actions of a minority of would-be pirates.

I'm just hoping that the growth in Linux, specifically SteamOS, forces EA, Activision, and other publishers to push for compatibility on the operating system - because there's certainly a significant portion of particularly handheld gamers, and also desktop PC owners, waiting for this.

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