Epic Games Launcher is coming to SteamOS
In October, Epic Games said that it was "investigating" making Fortnite compatible with Valve's Linux-based SteamOS. At the time, Epic Games Launcher was in preview, but SteamOS was not specifically listed as a supported distro. Now, Communications Director Jake Jones has confirmed SteamOS compatibility, along with a handful of other distros, to GamingOnLinux. In response to a question about the AppImage being…
Key points
- Epic Games has confirmed its launcher will support SteamOS and several other Linux distributions.
- The launcher remains in Preview, and Epic says it will restore AppImage distribution this month.
- Fortnite on SteamOS is still uncertain because of open questions about Easy Anti-Cheat Linux v2 support.
Epic Games has confirmed that its launcher will support SteamOS, along with other Linux distributions. Communications Director Jake Jones gave the confirmation to GamingOnLinux, according to The Verge.
The news follows Epic's October statement that it was looking into making Fortnite work with Valve's Linux-based SteamOS. At that time, the Epic Games Launcher was in preview, but SteamOS was not listed as a supported distribution.
Packaging and AppImage plans
Jones was asked about AppImage being replaced with Debian and Ubuntu .deb downloads. He said the new launcher is still in Preview and that Epic intends to support as many Linux distributions as possible, naming Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy and Omarchy among them.
Jones added that Epic is testing and evaluating packaging formats for distribution and will restore AppImage this month.
The new Epic Games Launcher is still in Preview and we plan to support as many Linux distributions as possible, including Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy, Omarchy, and more.
— Jake Jones
Fortnite remains uncertain
SteamOS support for the launcher does not necessarily mean Fortnite will come to SteamOS. Support for Easy Anti-Cheat Linux v2 remains an open question.
When Epic announced its work to bring Fortnite to Linux, it said the Steam Deck does not support the features required for its EAC v2 solution. The company said it was actively talking with Valve and hoped to support it in the future.
