Grand Theft Auto V recently ranked among the top ten most played games on Valve’s Steam Deck handheld device. For the past two years, it has consistently placed within the top twenty. However, Valve has now classified the game as "unsupported" due to developer Rockstar’s changes that broke compatibility for its online modes with Valve’s handheld.
The decision stems from issues surrounding Linux anti-cheat. Similar to the developers of Fortnite and Roblox, Rockstar opted not to support Steam Deck with its new anti-cheat software for GTA Online, a decision driven by the need to combat cheaters. While this is viewed as a positive outside of the Steam Deck, it has significant implications for users of the handheld device.
Unlike Fortnite and Roblox, Rockstar is actively removing the multiplayer component of the game from users instead of simply not offering it on the Steam Deck. Additionally, Rockstar attributes the issue to Valve, citing that "Steam Deck does not support BattlEye for GTA Online" and directing further inquiries to Valve’s support.
A crucial question remains unanswered: why hasn’t the purported switch that allows BattlEye anti-cheat to function on the Steam Deck been activated? Valve has previously enabled BattlEye on the Steam Deck, with various games incorporating the anti-cheat software transitioning successfully. According to Valve, enabling a game with BattlEye on the Steam Deck is a straightforward process, reportedly as simple as sending an email. However, Rockstar has not provided a response regarding this process when contacted. Additionally, Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais has not yet commented on whether there have been any recent changes in the anti-cheat landscape.
There are suggestions that allowing Linux users to interact with anti-cheat software could lead to efforts to dismantle it. Nonetheless, Tim Sweeney from Epic Games suggested last year that the issue might also involve economic considerations.
On a positive note, the single-player mode of GTA V remains operational. According to Rockstar’s FAQ, users "will be able to play GTAV Story Mode but unable to play GTA Online."
