According to a recently posted job listing, Electronic Arts is working on adapting its Javelin anti-cheat system for Steam Deck, Linux, and ARM platforms. Currently, Javelin is used in games such as the latest Battlefield titles, EA Sports, Madden NFL, F1, as well as FIFA 23 and Skate.

The job description states that the company is seeking specialists to develop a native ARM driver for Javelin anti-cheat and to create a roadmap for supporting EA Javelin Anticheat on additional operating systems and hardware, including Linux and Proton. This could mean that games which are currently unplayable on ARM devices or Linux PCs (such as Steam Deck and future Steam Machines) due to the requirement for an x86 version of Windows to run Javelin Anticheat, may become available on other operating systems in the future.

Since recruitment for these positions is ongoing, support is not expected to be implemented for at least several more months. However, the very fact that Electronic Arts is investing in this area shows that the company is actively working to expand Javelin anti-cheat support.

For users of affected games, this potentially means broader accessibility. The current limitation to consoles or x86-based Windows PCs is a significant barrier, especially for popular EA multiplayer AAA games like the Battlefield and Madden NFL series. Full support for ARM and Linux would greatly increase the potential audience for these games and expand the list of devices capable of running them, including the Steam Deck, which is technically compatible but currently restricted by kernel-level anti-cheat systems like Javelin.

At present, one of the main challenges for Linux gaming remains incompatibility with anti-cheat systems, which prevent games from running outside the controlled x86 Windows environment. Thanks to Proton compatibility, game performance on Linux is already comparable to Windows 11, and sometimes even surpasses it on low-power portable PCs like the Steam Deck. The main obstacles are anti-cheat systems that limit game launches on alternative platforms.

As Linux gaming grows in popularity, publishers—including Electronic Arts—are increasingly motivated to expand support for these platforms. This is also important for the emerging market of energy-efficient ARM-based Windows laptops, such as those powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite.