WARDOGS on Steam Deck and Linux: Anti-Cheat Status Explained

WARDOGS is currently available via Steam Early Access, but there is no guarantee it will work on Linux and Steam Deck via Proton. WARDOGS is currently a Windows-only game. BULKHEAD is working on a Proton-compatible build. The underlying issue stems from the game's anti-cheat system, so WARDOGS cannot be officially supported on Linux and SteamOS.

If you are looking for information about WARDOGS Steam Deck, WARDOGS Linux, or WARDOGS Proton support, the current answer is simple: none of these platforms are officially supported yet.

Does WARDOGS Work on Linux?

No, not officially. WARDOGS Linux support is still in development, and there is currently no officially supported Proton release for the game.

Before release, BULKHEAD indicated that Linux support was still in development and that the studio could not promise Proton support in time for the game's September 10 Early Access launch.

This distinction is also important as‚ while some players had run the game in prior tests‚ which gave the impression that the WARDOGS featured native Linux support‚ the developers clarified that this had not been the case․

As of the Early Access version‚ while there is no officially supported Proton release‚ there is currently no date for full Linux support․

Can You Play WARDOGS on Steam Deck?

At the moment, WARDOGS is not officially supported on Steam Deck.

SteamDB currently lists the game's SteamOS compatibility as Unsupported, with the latest compatibility test showing that SteamOS does not support the game.

The situation is similar to playing WARDOGS on a normal Linux PC because Steam Deck uses SteamOS and relies on Proton to run Windows games.

Therefore, changing Proton versions on Steam Deck should not be considered an official solution. The problem is not simply that the game needs a different graphics API or a missing Windows library.

What Anti-Cheat Does WARDOGS Use?

This is where the situation becomes more complicated.

The Steam store has previously displayed Easy Anti-Cheat and a kernel-level anti-cheat notice for WARDOGS. However, the September builds introduced Elytra Anti-Cheat, which is the anti-cheat system currently associated with the game's unsupported Linux status. SteamDB lists Elytra as the anti-cheat software for WARDOGS, while GamingOnLinux currently reports the Linux/SteamOS status as broken with Elytra Anti-Cheat.

This also explains why older information about WARDOGS and Easy Anti-Cheat can be misleading. Earlier beta builds produced reports of Linux and Proton working, including successful anti-cheat initialization. Later builds changed the situation.

Why Did WARDOGS Work During Earlier Tests?

Some Linux players successfully ran WARDOGS through Proton during earlier playtests.

One player reported that the beta successfully installed Easy Anti-Cheat through Proton and completed the anti-cheat handshake. The player was able to play several full matches without anti-cheat disconnects. However, the same report notes that the situation changed after WARDOGS moved to the Elytra anti-cheat system.

This is why screenshots and videos showing WARDOGS running on Linux or Steam Deck should not be treated as proof that the current Early Access version is supported.

The build used for those tests is not necessarily the same build available now.

Why Does Anti-Cheat Block Linux?

Anti-cheat software often needs access to parts of the operating system that are different between Windows and Linux.

Proton can translate many Windows game functions so that they work on Linux, but anti-cheat systems can require additional compatibility work from the developer. If that support is not enabled or implemented, the game may launch but fail during authentication or refuse to connect to servers.

This is what makes WARDOGS different from a normal Windows game that simply has a graphical or performance issue under Proton.

The current WARDOGS anti-cheat is not officially configured for Linux/Proton, so reinstalling Proton or changing graphics settings does not solve the underlying compatibility problem.

GamingOnLinux currently lists WARDOGS as Broken for Linux and SteamOS and identifies Elytra Anti-Cheat as the system being used.

Is There a Proton Version That Fixes WARDOGS?

There is no officially supported version of Proton that fixes WARDOGS․

Community reports claim that Proton Experimental and other versions of Proton also work‚ but these versions have not yet been confirmed․

The developers have indicated that they are working on Proton compatibility but have not specified a version of Proton or a release window for Linux support․

Thus‚ constantly needing to switch between Proton Experimental‚ Proton Stable and older versions is not expected to be a long-term solution․

Can You Fix WARDOGS on Steam Deck Yourself?

There currently is no reliable player-side work-around․

In the event that WARDOGS fails to launch due to the anti-cheat not initializing correctly under Proton‚ changing the Steam Deck's graphics settings has no effect․

As a troubleshooting measure‚ other Proton builds can also be used‚ though these are not officially supported and there's no guarantee that a particular build will work in future releases․

Players should not try to disable or bypass the anti-cheat․ The game and the player account may be harmed by manipulating game files or other third party means to bypass anti-cheat checks․

What Should Linux and Steam Deck Players Do?

If you only use Linux or Steam Deck, the safest option is to wait for an official Proton compatibility update from BULKHEAD.

The developers specifically stated before launch that players who purchased WARDOGS expecting it to work through Proton should request a refund rather than assuming Linux support would be ready for Early Access.

If you have access to a Windows PC, Windows remains the officially supported platform according to the current Steam system requirements.

WARDOGS Linux and Steam Deck Status

The current compatibility information also shows that SteamOS and Steam Deck support has not been confirmed by Valve or BULKHEAD.

Will WARDOGS Get Linux and Steam Deck Support?

Possibly‚ but there's no set date for that yet․

BULKHEAD later stated that Proton compatibility was something the team was looking into․ In a statement released on September 4 from the developer‚ it was confirmed that Linux support was part of the team's plan‚ although they did not guarantee it would be ready in time for Early Access․

It means Linux and Steam Deck support might be forthcoming‚ but don't expect it to work until official word is out that the game is ready to go․

Bottom Line

WARDOGS does not officially support Linux or Steam Deck right now. The game is designed for Windows, and its current anti-cheat setup is the main obstacle preventing reliable Proton compatibility.

Earlier beta tests showed that WARDOGS could run through Proton under different anti-cheat conditions, but those tests do not represent the current Early Access build. The current status is Unsupported on Steam Deck and Broken on Linux/SteamOS.

For Linux and Steam Deck players, there is currently no Proton version that can be recommended as a guaranteed fix. The best option is to wait for BULKHEAD to officially enable and confirm Proton support.