Your entire Steam Library might not be playable on the Steam Deck after all according to comments from the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2 .
The Steam Deck has been a hotly anticipated gaming device since its announcement last year. However, it has faced its fair share of hurdles to cross. By far the biggest was the device’s initial incompatibility with anti-cheat software - which would have made 28% of the 50 most active Steam Games would be unplayable at launch.
While it seemed like the crisis was averted back in September last year, a recent Steam post from a Warhammer: Vermintide 2 developer (spotted by GamingOnLinux ) suggests that some of our favorite games may still face compatibility issues with the Steam Deck because they use the wrong version of Easy-Anti Cheat.
Why won't the Steam Deck play Steam games?
The main cause behind the issues was Valve’s decision to have the Steam Deck run on a Linux-based operating system.
For the most part, this seemed like a smart move; the Linux OS is less technically demanding than Windows meaning that the Steam Deck’s limited PC power could be focussed on running games rather than background operations.
And because not all games are designed to run on Linux, Valve would also implement its Proton software - a nifty tool that would make Windows games compatible with its Linux device.
Unfortunately, some games aren’t just reliant on their own software to operate, plenty also use external anti-cheat programs and won’t allow users to play unless these systems are active.
It wasn’t clear if these anti-cheat programs - such as BattlEye and Easy Anti-Cheat - would be compatible with Proton or not. Thankfully fears were assuaged back in September 2021 after the developers of both the software said that Proton and Steam Deck support was coming and that game creators could add this support to their titles with just a few clicks.
In the case of Easy-Anti Cheat (EAC) though it doesn’t seem like this is the whole picture. That’s because Epic has created EAC has two separate versions: one that uses Epic Online Services (EOS) and an older version that doesn’t - and Proton support isn’t yet included with both.
As noted by the Vermintide 2 developer, “Most games historically use Non-EOS EAC. It's the one Vermintide 2 uses as well. Epic only added Proton support for the EOS version of EAC.”
Because Vermintide 2 is built around the wrong version of EAC that ‘just a few clicks’ processes has morphed into a need to conduct a “huge amount” of reworking based on the developer’s predictions.
It’s not clear how many other games are reliant on the older version of EAC but a few other studios have stated they’re also facing compatibility issues.
Hopefully, Epic Games can help these developers sort out a simple workaround soon as with the Steam Deck still on track to hit its February launch many early adopters could face disappointment when they find out their favorite games can’t be played on the system.
Microsoft replaced as the most-phished company by a surprising entrant
Going into the holiday season, a surprising entrant displaced Microsoft as the biggest target for phishing attempts globally: DHL, the German logistics giant.
Check Point Research found that in Q4 2021, when the Christmas holidays see shoppers ordering presents left, right, and centre, saw DHL become the target of 23% of phishing attempts globally, followed by Microsoft (20%), WhatsApp (11%), and Google (10%).
Microsoft has been the long-time target of phishing attempts, accounting for a stunning 29% in Q3 2021. FedEx also made a rare top ten appearance in Q4, clocking in at 3%, as attackers sought to capitalise on vulnerable online shoppers.
Social media tricks
According to Check Point, a popular technique used by bad actors is impersonating a social media brand, evidenced by WhatsApp moving from 6th place in Q3 to 3rd place in Q4.
Check Point describes "brand phishing", whereby the brand, logo, and general aesthetic are imitated to confuse people into inputting valuable details. The research group even provided some examples of phishing emails "from" PayPal, FedEx, and DHL.
Double check, triple check
Phishing emails are incredibly commonplace now, especially around busy periods, and even the most tech savvy among us can be fooled by their slick designs or just absentmindedly click on a link.
In the UK, Royal Mail has been an obvious target for shoppers with seemingly innocuous texts arriving about delayed shipping and associated fees. If you're expecting a parcel, it isn't unreasonable to accidentally click on the link.
The best advice is double and triple check anything from a company that is asking for details and information, such as by looking at the email address or sender, which can often be bogus on closer inspection.
How to watch Peacemaker online and stream Suicide Squad spin-off from anywhere now
James Gunn’s gung-ho superhero is back and ready to cause more carnage in the name of world peace. A spin-off to 2021’s The Suicide Squad, this HBO Max Original series keeps the original movie's winning combination of bombastic violence and rib-tickling idiocy, while adding greater depth and some timely social commentary. Now out on Sky in the UK, below you'll find our explaining how to watch Peacemaker online where you are.
John Cena reprises his role as Christopher Smith (aka Peacemaker), the ex-Suicide squaddie who has now joined forces with a mysterious dark-ops team. This consists of his two handlers – Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and John Economos (Steve Agee) – and Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks, Orange is the New Black), his partner in crimefighting and a foil to Peacemaker’s brutal yet dim-witted ways.
Then there’s Vigilante (Freddie Stoma), a man who can quickly heal from injuries, and, err…Eagly… the lead character’s unruly bald eagle sidekick.
Additionally, Terminator 2’s Robert Patrick stars as Peacemaker’s father, whose fraught relationship with his son will be explored further, while the superhero’s attitude of “peace…at any cost” is challenged when the assassin has a crisis of conscience.
Below we explain how to watch Peacemaker online and stream this new 8-part HBO Max series now.
How to watch Peacemaker online in the US: stream on HBO Max
What else can you watch with a HBO Max plan?
That's a bargain price, considering you'll get access to a huge library of top-drawer entertainment, including And Just Like That , the entirety of Sex and the City , Succession , Girls, Mare of Easttown, The Matrix Resurrections and much more.
Sadly the 7-day HBO Max free trial has long since been discontinued. But if you're a current HBO Now subscriber or pay for HBO through your cable provider, you might actually be entitled to HBO Max at no extra cost.
Devices compatible with HBO Max include iPhone and Android devices, Apple and Samsung TVs, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles, Chromecast and Chromebooks , and laptops and PCS. HBO Max on Roku and Amazon Fire Stick is also available.
How to watch Peacemaker online FREE in Canada
Watch Peacemaker online in the UK
How to watch Peacemaker online in Australia for FREE