Ubisoft's FOR HONOR Ends Linux and Steam Deck Support

Ubisoft has announced that its third-person hero-based melee fighting game, FOR HONORwill no longer be accessible to players using SteamOS or Linux environments, effective September 10. This change will impact a significant portion of the player base, including those utilizing Valve's Steam Deck handheld gaming device, as well as traditional Linux desktop setups and Steam Machines.

The publisher confirmed this decision in an announcement on its official website, stating that the move is part of an effort to enhance player safety and maintain a fair competitive environment within the game. According to Ubisoft, the team is introducing additional player safety measures and is removing FOR HONOR from the Linux platform due to difficulties in effectively deploying protection on this specific environment. This directly means that FOR HONOR will become unplayable on Steam Deck from the specified date.

Ubisoft further indicated that while the platform is being removed, the company will continue to explore various methods to improve its anti-cheat systems. This leaves open the possibility of potentially reintroducing support for the platform in the future, though no specific timeline or commitment was provided. For players, this means that access is being definitively cut off for the foreseeable future, with any potential return being speculative and unconfirmed.

Technically, FOR HONOR utilizes Easy Anti-Cheat, a system that is currently enabled for Linux compatibility. However, Ubisoft's plan involves disabling this functionality specifically for FOR HONOR on Linux, which will directly prevent the game from launching or operating on these systems. This action effectively renders the game unplayable for anyone attempting to access it via Linux Desktop, Steam Deck, or Steam Machine.

The practical impact for players is immediate and direct: as of September 10, individuals who previously enjoyed FOR HONOR on their Linux-based systems or Steam Deck will find themselves unable to launch or play the game. This decision removes a popular title from the available library for these platforms, requiring affected players to seek alternative gaming environments if they wish to continue playing FOR HONOR. The announcement marks a definitive end to Linux compatibility for this particular Ubisoft title, at least for the time being.

Key Facts

  • FOR HONOR will block all SteamOS and Linux players starting September 10.
  • This change affects players on Linux Desktop, Steam Deck, and Steam Machine.
  • Ubisoft attributes the decision to challenges in deploying effective anti-cheat measures on the Linux platform.
  • The game uses Easy Anti-Cheat, which will be disabled for Linux, preventing gameplay.