SCUM survival game enables official Proton multiplayer on Linux, Steam Deck, Steam Machine

Open-world survival game SCUM has received official Linux multiplayer support through Proton in update v1.3.6.0.177121, resolving a gap that previously limited Linux players to single-player mode with unofficial workarounds. The developer, Gamepires, switched the game's anti-cheat from Easy Anti-Cheat to BattlEye at some point prior to this change, and has now configured BattlEye to permit Proton execution on Linux devices including Steam Deck and Steam Machine.

Despite the official support, Valve has not yet re-tested SCUM for Steam Deck compatibility, so the game remains listed as Unsupported across all SteamOS and Linux systems in Steam's verification program. The game was originally released in June 2025 and is built on deep survival systems including health, metabolism, fatigue, and reputation mechanics with both PvE and PvP elements.

Proton, anti-cheat, and platform support details

• Anti-cheat transition: SCUM previously used Easy Anti-Cheat but switched to BattlEye, which has now been configured to allow Proton execution on Linux systems.
• Platform scope: Official support explicitly covers Linux devices running Proton, with specific mention of Steam Deck and Steam Machine compatibility.
• Steam Deck verification status: Valve's Steam Deck compatibility rating remains Unsupported across all SteamOS/Linux systems, indicating the developer's Proton enablement has not yet been matched by Valve's verification re-testing.
• Prior Linux state: Before this update, only single-player functioned on Linux, with multiplayer requiring community workarounds that are now unnecessary.
• Update identifier: The enabling change shipped in SCUM update v1.3.6.0.177121, per the developer's announcement.

Why it matters

This adds another BattlEye-protected title to the growing set of multiplayer games officially playable on Linux through Proton, reinforcing the viability of Steam Deck as a platform for online survival games. For Linux gamers, it provides an alternative to Rust, which remains blocked on Linux due to Easy Anti-Cheat v1 limitations, and demonstrates that developer-initiated Proton enablement with BattlEye can proceed independently of Valve's verification timeline.