Rockstar Games has come under fire from Steam Deck users following the latest update to Grand Theft Auto Online, which has rendered the game unplayable on Valve's popular handheld device. The update, released in mid-September, introduces a new anti-cheat system, BattlEye, which is incompatible with Linux-based systems, leaving many players locked out of the game.
Anti-Cheat System Brings Unexpected Consequences
On September 17, 2024, Rockstar Games rolled out a highly-anticipated update to Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand Theft Auto V. The update addressed long-standing player concerns by introducing BattlEye, an anti-cheat system that was much-requested by the community. With the PC version of GTA Online plagued by rampant cheating and hackers for years, this move was seen as a significant win for the integrity of the game.
However, for Steam Deck users, the update has been anything but welcome. The Linux-based system, which powers the Steam Deck, does not support BattlEye, making GTA Online completely inaccessible on the handheld device. While players can still enjoy the single-player campaign of GTA V on Steam Deck, the online mode is now off-limits.
Steam Deck Users Voice Their Frustration
Following the update, GTA Online fans took to Reddit to express their frustrations. Many Steam Deck players slammed Rockstar for neglecting Linux users and questioned why the anti-cheat system couldn’t be enabled on the platform. Some users even accused Rockstar of misleading its community, claiming the company could have easily made BattlEye compatible with Linux but chose not to.
A recurring complaint has been Rockstar's suggestion that players should seek answers from Valve, when, as users argue, it’s "literally Rockstar's fault the game doesn't work anymore." As of now, there’s no indication that Rockstar plans to fix the issue or provide an alternative for Steam Deck players. Many fans are left wondering why a game that worked perfectly fine on the platform until now is suddenly unavailable.