Epic Games confirmed this week that its new games launcher will receive official SteamOS support, the Linux-based operating system Valve ships with the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame. The confirmation came through Jake Jones, the company's communications director, responding to an inquiry from GamingOnLinux — and what stood out was not just the SteamOS confirmation, but the full list of distributions Epic intends to support: Fedora, CachyOS, Omarchy, alongside SteamOS.
The announcement marks a strategic shift. When Epic revealed the preview version of the launcher in October, SteamOS was conspicuously absent from the supported platforms list. The preview FAQ only listed Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (or newer) and Debian 12 (or newer). The expansion of the distribution list signals that Epic is treating the Linux ecosystem not as a test niche, but as a proper launch target — a notable change in posture for traditional game launchers, which have historically been skeptical of Linux.
For Steam Deck owners, the implication is straightforward: the launcher stops being an unofficial guest on the system. Until now, it was possible to install the old launcher in Desktop Mode, but the experience was irregular, with no native Steam overlay integration. With official support, installation should become as simple as adding a non-Steam app through the Steam store — with the advantage that Epic will be responsible for maintaining and updating the package for the distribution.
What remains unresolved is Fortnite support. The launcher release alone does not solve the anti-cheat question. Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat Linux version 2, which the company stated it was working on in October, has not yet been publicly released. Without EACv2, Fortnite will not run on Steam Deck — and this applies to any Epic game that depends on anti-cheat protection. The launcher is the vehicle; EACv2 is the ignition key.
The list of distributions named by Epic — Fedora, CachyOS, and Omarchy — deserves attention. Including performance- and gaming-focused distributions (CachyOS and Omarchy) indicates that Epic is mapping its support not just for generic systems, but for setups where latency and framerate matter. Omarchy, developed by DHH (Basecamp's CTO), has become the reference distribution for those seeking the fastest possible Steam Deck experience. CachyOS, meanwhile, is known for its gaming-optimized kernel. The inclusion of both distros suggests Epic is thinking about Deck users who play outside the Steam interface.
What Epic did not state explicitly is that the launcher is still in preview. The company has not disclosed a stable release date, and some social and account management features from the older launcher are still missing. The installation process itself removes the legacy launcher during transition — meaning anyone testing the preview version is, in effect, testing pre-release software.
The change is significant for a reason that goes beyond Epic: it signals that major game publishers are finally acknowledging that Linux is no longer a "always going to take forever" platform. GOG also announced its Galaxy launcher will receive full Linux support in 2027. The combination of two heavyweight launchers in the Linux ecosystem creates a scenario where competition between Epic and Steam is no longer only about pricing, but also about installation experience, library management, and operating system integration.
The Steam Deck has sold more than 12 million units since its launch. If each additional launcher attracts even a fraction of users who currently game on PC via Windows with Proton, the Linux gaming ecosystem gains self-sustaining momentum. The question for 2027 is not whether this trend will continue, but which platform — SteamOS or Windows — will become the default choice for the next wave of PC gamers.
Sources: The Verge, GamingOnLinux, The Daily Game News
✓ Independent sources cross-checked and verified before publishing
