ARC Raiders Denuvo Update Kills Linux and Steam Deck Support

A recent integration of Denuvo anti-tamper technology into ARC Raiders has caused issues for players using Linux and Steam Deck, as reported by Steam Deck HQ. This change has left many of the game’s 244,541 reviewers unable to play without warning.

Embark Studios introduced Denuvo after the game’s launch. This addition immediately disrupted Proton compatibility, which is the translation layer Valve created for running Windows games on Linux-based systems like the Steam Deck. This timing is especially troubling since the game launched at $39.99 and has an 83% positive rating on Steam. Players paid full price for something that now doesn’t work on their devices.

Denuvo’s track record with Linux compatibility isn’t great. The DRM software often breaks Proton functionality because its kernel-level protections clash with how Wine and Proton handle Windows system calls. So far, Embark Studios hasn’t provided any public update on whether this compatibility issue is temporary, something they’re aware of and plan to fix, or just a trade-off they accept by adding the DRM.

This situation comes at a tricky time for the game’s community. ARC Raiders is in the middle of the Forgotten Relics event and has recently introduced the Riven Tides map along with its Arc Turbine boss encounter. In May, the studio announced a shift from monthly updates to bi-annual releases starting in October—this change already stirred some controversy. Now, locking out an entire hardware platform during an ongoing event only adds to that frustration.

With current concurrent players at 39,409, the Linux and Steam Deck audience might be a small segment, but losing any verified player base over a DRM issue is a setback. Valve has heavily invested in making the Steam Deck a success. Games that lose their Deck Verified status face penalties in Steam’s storefront discovery algorithms.

By The Numbers

Steam Review Score	83% positive
Total Steam Reviews	244,541
Current Concurrent Players	39,409
Game Price (Steam)	$39.99
Update Cadence (from Oct 2026)	Bi-annual

Community frustration was already on the rise before this issue. One Steam reviewer captured a common complaint: “How hard can it be to add a PvP | PvE | PvPvE toggle, for whatever group size?” This frustration, coupled with the Denuvo compatibility issue, indicates that Embark is handling a player base that feels essential quality-of-life requests are being sidelined while DRM gets prioritized.

What To Watch

• Whether Embark Studios responds formally to the Linux issue and commits to a fix compatible with Proton—failure to respond will likely fuel negative reviews.
• Updates on ARC Raiders’ Steam Deck Verified status on Valve’s platform; if it downgrades to Unsupported, it could hurt visibility and sales.
• Whether the move to bi-annual updates, starting in October, provides the studio with enough time to address DRM compatibility before the next major content drop.