Fortnite Is Coming to Linux, but Epic Needs to Improve Easy Anti-Cheat First

Fortnite is finally on its way to Linux, but players will have to wait a little longer. On October 14, 2026, Epic Games officially confirmed plans to bring its popular battle royale to the platform, marking a major shift after years of holding back Linux support over cheating concerns.

The launch depends on a rebuilt version of Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), called EAC Linux v2, which aims to bring Linux security closer to Windows standards. Epic is also working with Linux distribution maintainers to ensure the system can run reliably across supported setups.

There's no release date yet, but Epic has already taken its first step with a native Linux version of the Epic Games Launcher.

Why Is Fortnite Coming to Linux Now?

The biggest obstacle has always been anti-cheat protection.

Although Easy Anti-Cheat has supported Linux for years, Epic says the existing version doesn't provide the same security as Windows. That's a serious concern for a competitive multiplayer game like Fortnite.

To solve this, Epic is developing EAC Linux v2, which uses built-in Linux security features instead of a dedicated anti-cheat kernel driver.

However, the improved protection comes with stricter requirements. Players will need features such as Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, signed kernels, and additional system security settings enabled.

Epic has already recognized signing keys from several major Linux ecosystems, including Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and Bazzite. Still, that doesn't guarantee Fortnite compatibility, particularly for users running custom kernels or modified configurations.

What About Steam Deck and the Epic Games Launcher?

Unfortunately, Steam Deck support isn't confirmed.

Epic says SteamOS currently lacks some features required by EAC Linux v2. The company is discussing potential solutions with Valve, but hasn't provided a timeline.

Meanwhile, Epic has released a redesigned Epic Games Launcher Preview with native Linux support for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS+, Fedora 43+, and Debian 12+.

Players can access their Epic accounts and libraries through the new launcher, but Fortnite itself still won't run on Linux until the anti-cheat upgrade is ready.

What Happens Next?

Epic plans to use Fortnite as the first live test for EAC Linux v2. Once the system proves reliable, the company intends to make it available to other developers.

That could have a bigger impact beyond Fortnite, potentially making Linux a more viable platform for competitive multiplayer games that previously struggled with anti-cheat compatibility.

For now, Epic hasn't announced when Fortnite will arrive on Linux or which distributions will be fully supported at launch.

The good news is that Linux support is no longer just a possibility. Epic has confirmed its plans and started building the technology to make it happen.

Editor's Comment

It's good to finally see Epic giving Linux a real chance. The lack of a release date is disappointing, especially for Steam Deck owners, but at least things are moving forward. Hopefully, Fortnite is just the beginning, and we'll see more multiplayer games follow.