"So they f***** all steam deck users": GTA V BattlEye anti-cheat issues gain the attention of fans

Rockstar Games surprised everyone yesterday by releasing the GTA V BattlEye update, integrating the anti-cheat software for multiplayer lobbies. While it’s certainly a welcome addition for many PC players waiting for something like this, not everyone is quite happy with its current state. The BattlEye anti-cheat software seems to have some issues while running GTA Online on Steam Deck, as the multiplayer game is now completely unplayable on the handheld platform.

Rockstar Games shared the incompatibility news via the Rockstar Games Support page on September 17, 2024, gaining a lot of attention from fans. One user @MaxModz1382 commented on the situation on X in the following manner, seemingly signifying what the GTA V BattlEye anti-cheat update did for the Steam Deck player base:

“So they f***** all steam deck users”

A screenshot of @MaxModz1382's reaction to the Steam Deck incompatibility news on social media (Image via X)

Another user, @Lucas7yoshi_RS, claimed that Grand Theft Auto was one of the most played games on the handheld platform:

“GTA was one of the most played games on the steam deck. thas crazy”

On the support page, Rockstar claimed that the Steam Deck doesn’t officially support the BattlEye anti-cheat for GTA V Online. However, tech enthusiast Timo Schmidt pointed out an old post on the BattlEye official account on X in which the company stated that they have provided native support for Linux and Mac and will be supporting Steam Deck. Timo Schmidt said that Rockstar Games made the incompatibility decision.

Here are some of the other noteworthy reactions to the GTA V BattlEye anti-cheat update making the online multiplayer unplayable on Steam Deck. The first one seems to be disappointed with the recent development, while the other two focus on opt-in for BattlEye anti-cheat:

A collage of a few comments on @TezFunz2's report on the same (Image via X)

Also Check: Full patch notes of the latest update (September 17, 2024)

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What should GTA V Online Steam Deck users do at the moment?

Players should note that Rockstar Games has directed everyone to contact Valve’s Steam Deck support for any queries on this BattlEye issue as can be seen in the below-mentioned screenshot:

A screenshot of the Rockstar Games Support page mentioning the Steam Deck incompatibility with the BattlEye anti-cheat for GTA Online (Image via Rockstar Games Support)

The Grand Theft Auto V Online being unplayable on Steam Deck is not the only problem BattlEye has raised for PC players. Here are some of the other issues with the anti-cheat integration known by Rockstar Games at the moment:

• BattlEye doesn’t work properly with graphics mods like ReShade or Special_K
• BattlEye doesn’t work properly with some antivirus programs like AVG and Trend Micro

While it’s still unclear how many gamers play Grand Theft Auto 5 Online on Steam Deck; however, it is supposedly a big number. According to a report published by @PLTytus on X a couple of hours ago, September 18, 2024, the Steam player count for Grand Theft Auto 5 saw a massive drop post-BattlEye anti-cheat update.

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As of this writing, neither Valve nor Rockstar Games has commented further on the situation. Steam Deck fans can hope for a resolution shortly, but at the moment, they can only play the story mode on the popular platform.

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