Epic Games Confirms Launcher Support for Valve's SteamOS

Epic Games has confirmed its Linux-native launcher will officially support Valve's SteamOS, including the Steam Deck, according to The Verge. Communications director Jake Jones made the confirmation to GamingOnLinux, adding SteamOS to a list of Linux distributions the company plans to support as it builds out the launcher.

What Did Epic Confirm About SteamOS Support?

Jones told GamingOnLinux that "the new Epic Games Launcher is still in Preview and we plan to support as many Linux distributions as possible, including Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy, Omarchy, and more," per The Verge's report dated Nov. 8, 2026. The statement settles a question that had been open since October, when Epic said it was "investigating" SteamOS compatibility for Fortnite but had not listed SteamOS among the launcher's supported distros during preview.

The confirmation covers the launcher itself, not any specific game. Epic's Linux push began as a broader effort to bring its storefront — and eventually Fortnite — to non-Windows systems, a category Valve's SteamOS and the Steam Deck dominate among handheld PC gamers.

Will Fortnite Actually Run on Steam Deck?

Launcher support does not guarantee the flagship game follows. Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) Linux v2 compatibility remains unresolved, and that is the piece Epic has flagged as the real obstacle. When Epic first announced its Linux work, the company said the Steam Deck "does not support the required features for our EAC v2 solution, but we are actively talking with Valve and hope to support it in the future," The Verge reported.

That means Steam Deck owners who install the Epic Games Launcher once it ships broadly may find some titles playable while Fortnite itself stays out of reach until the anti-cheat issue is settled between Epic and Valve.

What Changes Is Epic Making to the Linux Launcher?

Beyond adding SteamOS, Jones addressed a packaging question directly: Epic is moving away from the AppImage format toward Debian- and Ubuntu-style .deb downloads while it tests distribution options. Jones said AppImage support will return "this month," meaning Linux users should expect multiple installer formats to coexist during the preview period rather than a single standardized package.

The listed distros — Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy, and Omarchy — represent different corners of the Linux ecosystem, from mainstream enterprise-adjacent distributions to niche, performance-tuned builds popular with PC gamers who build their own rigs or run Steam Deck-style handhelds.

How Does This Fit the Broader Handheld PC Gaming Market?

The move lands as hardware makers keep expanding accessories and peripherals built around PC and handheld gaming setups. DAREU recently showed adaptive gaming peripherals at a Saudi exhibition, part of a wider industry push to support gaming across more device types and operating systems — the same trend driving Epic's Linux and SteamOS work.

What Should Steam Deck and Linux Users Watch For?

• Whether Epic restores AppImage packaging on its stated timeline this month.
• Any joint statement from Epic and Valve on Easy Anti-Cheat v2 support for Steam Deck hardware.
• Whether Fortnite specifically gets added to the list of titles confirmed for SteamOS, separate from general launcher availability.
• How other Linux distributions named by Jones — Fedora, Cachy, Omarchy — handle launcher installation compared to SteamOS's packaged approach.

Glossary

SteamOS — Valve's Linux-based operating system that powers the Steam Deck and is licensed to some third-party handheld and desktop gaming devices.

Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) — Anti-cheat software, developed by Epic Games, used by Fortnite and other titles to detect and block cheating; its Linux v2 version is not yet certified for Steam Deck.

AppImage — A packaging format that lets Linux applications run across multiple distributions without a traditional installation process.

Linux distro — Short for distribution; a complete operating system built on the Linux kernel, such as Fedora or SteamOS, each with its own package management and default software.

The Epic Games Launcher remains in preview, and Epic has not set a public release date for a stable, non-preview version on SteamOS or any other distro, according to The Verge's reporting.