GTA Online Update Tanks Playability on Steam Deck

The latest GTA Online update has made the game incompatible with the Steam Deck. While this update introduced a long-awaited anti-cheat system, players using the Steam Deck are now unable to play online.

GTA Online is celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, and Rockstar has finally integrated an anti-cheat software into the PC version of the game after years of community complaints. However, this update comes at a cost: Steam Deck players can no longer access the multiplayer mode.

Want to dive deeper into Rockstar updates? Check out our article on how GTA Online could be setting the stage for GTA 6 and the latest rumors about the GTA 6 release date.

GTA Online Update: Anti-Cheat System Integration

On September 17th, Rockstar rolled out an update for GTA Online across all platforms. On PC, this update introduced BattlEye, an anti-cheat software used in many other popular games. While most PC players are pleased with this addition, Steam Deck users are not as thrilled.

• Immediate Effect: GTA Online is now unplayable on the Steam Deck.
• Temporary Solution: The single-player mode of GTA V remains playable on the Steam Deck.
• Anti-Cheat Software Impact: BattlEye works with other games on the Steam Deck, but Rockstar has not officially supported this compatibility.

According to a new FAQ by Rockstar, online play on the Steam Deck will no longer be supported. Although the campaign mode remains playable, players hoping for a quick resolution might be disappointed, as Rockstar hinted that this limitation could persist.

Future Outlook for GTA Online on Steam Deck

In theory, Rockstar could make BattlEye compatible with the Steam Deck in a future update. However, their FAQ states that GTA V and GTA Online are not officially supported on the Steam Deck, leaving little hope for a forthcoming fix.

For now, Rockstar advises players to direct their technical questions to Valve’s Steam Deck support. This seems like an attempt to shift responsibility, and there’s no guarantee that GTA Online will become playable on Valve’s portable platform anytime soon.