Epic is bringing Fortnite to Linux

Key points

• Epic is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat for Linux to bring Fortnite to the platform.
• The new Epic Games Launcher preview is available on Linux today.
• No timeline is set for Fortnite's Linux release, and SteamOS support is under investigation.

Epic is working to bring Fortnite to Linux through its Epic Games Launcher. A new launcher preview is releasing today, marking the first time the launcher is available on Linux, though Fortnite is not yet playable there.

Cheating concerns have kept Fortnite off Linux. While Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) service supports Linux, Fortnite does not, and in February 2022 CEO Tim Sweeney said the company lacked confidence in combating cheating at scale across many kernel configurations.

Epic rebuilds anti-cheat for Linux

Epic says it is rebuilding EAC for Linux, called EAC Linux v2. In a blog post, the company said it is working with distro maintainers on security requirements and will bring Fortnite to Linux via the launcher once a critical mass of maintainers is on board. The improvements will also be offered to other developers.

Epic plans to pilot EAC Linux v2 in Fortnite first, according to a separate post. Engineering director Rick Deist told The Verge there is no timeline for when the Fortnite Linux version might be available.

We don’t have confidence that we’d be able to combat cheating at scale under a wide array of kernel configurations.

— Tim Sweeney

SteamOS and Steam store status

Epic is investigating making the game compatible with Valve's Linux-based SteamOS, Deist said. However, Epic Games Store VP and GM Martin Keely said the company does not plan to bring Fortnite to Valve's Steam store.

Epic also said the Steam Deck does not support the required features for EAC v2, but it is actively talking with Valve and hopes to support it in the future.