Summary
- Steam Deck users are frustrated with Rockstar's GTA Online update due to BattlEye's Linux incompatibility.
- GTA Online players slammed Rockstar for lack of Linux support, with only single-player now being accessible on Steam Deck devices.
- Grand Theft Auto 5's player count on Steam dropped by 50%, possibly due to Steam Deck's inability to play online.
Steam Deck players are expressing their frustrations with Rockstar Games after a new Grand Theft Auto Online update makes the game completely unplayable on Valve's popular handheld device. The latest update to both Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online implemented a new anti-cheat system known as BattlEye, but the software is not compatible with devices running on Linux.
On September 17, Rockstar Games shocked fans when it released a highly-requested update for Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand Theft Auto 5. The surprise update, which came eleven years after the live-service title's release, added a new anti-cheat system called BattlEye. This is something that fans have been begging Rockstar to add for years, with the PC version of Grand Theft Auto Online being rampant with hackers and cheaters. Unfortunately, the update hasn't gone down too well with Steam Deck users.
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Over on Reddit, users are slamming Rockstar for its lack of Linux support with the latest Grand Theft Auto Online update. Despite regularly being one of the most-played Steam Deck games, Grand Theft Auto Online is no longer compatible with Steam Deck, and fans aren't happy. While the title wasn't officially verified beforehand, it was marked as "playable" and ran perfectly fine on the platform. Now, however, due to BattlEye's lack of compatibility with Linux, fans will only be able to play Grand Theft Auto 5 and not Grand Theft Auto Online.
GTA Online Fans Slam Rockstar for Latest Update
While the official FAQ surrounding the new Grand Theft Auto Online update states that BattlEye is not supported on Steam Deck, some users are claiming that Rockstar is "lying" and are simply refusing to enable the system on Linux devices. Others were baffled as to why Rockstar is directing players to Valve when it's "literally Rockstar's fault the game doesn't work anymore." While fans are rightly disappointed by the lack of support, players will still be able to experience Grand Theft Auto 5's single-player campaign on Steam Deck.
As a result of Steam Deck users no longer being able to play Grand Theft Auto Online, the game's concurrent players have plummeted by 50% on Steam, according to Twitter user GTAOnlineNews. While it's likely that a large portion of these players were once on either Steam Deck or Linux devices, it's also possible that many of Grand Theft Auto Online's modders and hackers are no longer playing due to the implementation of BattlEye.
This isn't the first time that fans have been left frustrated by Rockstar, as a recent Grand Theft Auto Online update also removed popular content from the game. Fans of Hasta La Vista, an adversary mode that pitted two teams against each other in trucks and bicycles, were left disappointed after the developer removed the mode after just one week.
- Released
- October 1, 2013
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Engine
- Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience GTA Online, a dynamic and ever-evolving online universe for up to 30 players, including all existing gameplay upgrades and content released since launch ready to enjoy solo or with friends.
Career Progress
See all the challenges you've completed in your GTA Online Career. You can also discover new ones and earn valuable rewards as you rise through the criminal ranks.
Personalize Your Plates
Favorite ride missing something? Create your own personalized license plates and fit them at LS Customs.
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- n/a
- Cross Save
- n/a
- Franchise
- Grand Theft Auto
- Number of Players
- 1-8 (Online Co-Op); 1-30 (Multiplayer)
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- How Long To Beat
- 120+ Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- File Size Xbox Series
- 101 GB (July 2023)
