Key Takeaways
1. EA is hiring to develop a native ARM driver for Javelin anti-cheat, which may allow more games on ARM and Linux systems.
2. This change could expand the availability of popular EA games, like Battlefield and Madden NFL, to a wider audience beyond just x86 Windows PCs.
3. The move indicates EA’s commitment to improving support for anti-cheat measures across different operating systems and hardware.
4. Current challenges in Linux gaming are largely due to anti-cheat software limiting game compatibility outside x86 environments.
5. As Linux gaming improves, companies like EA see value in supporting these platforms, especially with growing ARM Windows laptop markets.
According to a job ad posted by Electronic Arts, EA is looking for new hires to “create a native ARM driver for Javelin anti-cheat” and to “map out a strategy for EA Javelin Anticheat to accommodate more operating systems and hardware in the future, such as Linux and Proton.” In simpler terms, this suggests that games that can’t currently be played on ARM and/or Linux computers (like the Steam Deck and the soon-to-come Steam Machine) due to Javelin Anticheat needing an x86 version of Windows might soon be available on other operating systems. As EA is still in the process of hiring for this role, it’s likely that this change is still months away, but the investment signifies EA’s commitment to broaden Javelin anti-cheat support.
Big News for Gamers
For gamers who are affected by this situation, this is significant news. Being confined to consoles or an x86-based Windows PC can severely limit options, especially for EA’s lineup of extremely popular multiplayer AAA titles like Battlefield and Madden NFL. Adequate support for ARM and Linux users greatly enhances the potential player base for these games and helps to increase the range of devices like the Steam Deck, which generally have the power to run these games in some capacity but are unable to due to strict kernel-level anti-cheats like Javelin.
Challenges in Linux Gaming
That’s basically the biggest current flaw in Linux gaming. Thanks to Valve’s Proton compatibility layer, gaming performance on Linux has shown to be quite competitive with Windows 11, and it even outperforms it on low-power handheld devices like the Steam Deck. Nowadays, issues with game compatibility are mostly due to anti-cheat software blocking games from being played outside of a controlled x86 Windows environment. As Linux gaming continues to develop, companies like EA see more reasons to broaden their support to include those platforms. This is also advantageous for the rising market of low-power, mid-range performance ARM Windows laptops that utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite platform.
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