Epic has introduced a new version of its anti-cheat technology for Linux, called EAC Linux V2, according to a report from Tom's Hardware. The system sets a list of hardware and software requirements that Linux machines must meet before players can launch protected games. The change affects Linux gamers who use Epic's anti-cheat service and the distribution maintainers whose platforms must support it.
EAC Linux V2 requires a signed kernel and kernel modules, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Measured Boot, an Input-Output Memory Management Unit (IOMMU), Kernel Lockdown Integrity Mode, Kexec Disabled, and Linux Security Module BPF. Epic says it expects to iterate on these requirements over time. The company also says it wants to work with developers and distribution maintainers to refine them. Because the system relies on these features, it will not need a kernel driver like the Windows implementation of anti-cheat, though some distro maintainers may need to change a configuration for it to work.
Players using a compatible game and distribution must install an anti-cheat systemd service that runs only alongside a protected game. When the player quits the protected title, the anti-cheat service also ends its process. EAC Linux V2 recognizes signing keys from distributions including Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Bazzite, and Debian, among others. Gamers already on those distributions can play protected games if their machines meet all the other requirements.
Epic is trying to reach as many Linux gamers as possible, but the requirements are likely to draw pushback from the community. Some Linux users do not trust big tech, and that distrust is often one reason they switched to the open-source platform. Enforcing these requirements just to play a single game conflicts with the idea of having full control over one's hardware and software, which is one challenge anti-cheat systems on Linux must deal with.
Epic does offer some compromises, such as allowing multiple boot options so Linux gamers can keep their preferred configuration when they do not plan to play a protected title. Even so, the fact that something with this many stringent requirements is installed on their system may not sit well with many users. The tension between publisher demands for protected games and the expectations of Linux users remains unresolved.
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