Major Games You Cannot Play on the Steam Machine in 2026

The Steam Machine has emerged as one of the most exciting hardware launches of 2026, but its limited game compatibility could give some players pause. The device is easily capable of running many blockbuster titles from a raw performance standpoint. Why, then, are some of the most popular games in the world off-limits? The reason is not hardware power but software politics, specifically anti-cheat.

Steam Machine runs SteamOS, a modified Linux distribution. Valve has made huge strides in Linux gaming, but anti-cheat remains the biggest barrier. Many anti-cheat solutions, especially kernel-level tools, rely on Windows-specific security features and do not support Linux. Because the Steam Machine is built around SteamOS rather than Windows, any game that requires such anti-cheat simply cannot launch—even if a player only wants offline single-player content. There is a workaround in installing Windows, but that defeats the console-like simplicity Valve is selling.

Destiny 2

Destiny 2 continues to attract large numbers of players through Steam, even after its final major update. Its looter-shooter loop and polished performance would make it a natural fit for the Steam Machine. Unfortunately, Bungie has repeatedly refused to support Steam Deck or SteamOS because of its anti-cheat requirements. With the studio now largely finished with the game, the chance of a compatibility update appears even smaller.

Fortnite

Fortnite is not available on Steam, but it remains one of the largest PC games in the world. Epic Games has maintained a firm stance against Linux support. The company argues that Linux lacks the security features needed for its anti-cheat to function reliably, and therefore supporting the platform could make cheating easier. While the Epic Games Store can be installed on a Steam Machine through workarounds, Fortnite itself remains unplayable, limiting the device for battle royale fans.

Battlefield 6 and Modern Battlefield Titles

Battlefield 6 broke series records and became the best-selling game of 2025 in the US. It also introduced a new in-house anti-cheat system developed specifically for Windows PCs. Before launching the game, players must enable certain system-level settings and even BIOS security features. This kernel-level approach simply does not work on an open platform like Linux. The same restriction applies to Battlefield 2042, Battlefield 5, and Battlefield 1, so the entire modern Battlefield catalog is off-limits on Steam Machine.

Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a particularly sad case because it once supported SteamOS. Respawn eventually removed Steam Deck support after becoming frustrated with cheaters exploiting Linux. Now the game requires Windows. The hero-based battle royale remains one of the most popular free-to-play shooters on Steam, and its absence leaves a large gap in the Steam Machine’s multiplayer lineup.

GTA Online

GTA Online powers the continued sales of GTA 5 year after year, especially on role-playing servers. While GTA 5 was originally playable on Steam Deck, Rockstar introduced an online account check that pushed it out of the supported category. Even players who only want to play the single-player campaign now face complications. Some dedicated users have found workarounds, but those tinkering-heavy solutions are far from the hassle-free experience the Steam Machine promises. The recent Enhanced Edition and free upgrade period make the lack of official support even more frustrating.

EA Sports FC

The lack of SteamOS support for EA Sports FC is especially noticeable in 2026, with a World Cup underway and the series’ strong couch-and-TV appeal. This restriction extends back to EA Sports FC 24 and continues through the current instalments. All modern EA Sports titles use anti-cheat technology that does not support Linux, so even offline modes are blocked. The only recent EA football game that reliably works is FIFA 22.

Call of Duty

Modern Call of Duty games are almost entirely unplayable on Steam Machine. Many older entries will run, but titles from 2019 onward generally will not launch. Activision introduced a kernel-level anti-cheat solution to combat widespread cheating in Warzone and other modes. Because this technology requires Windows-specific features such as Secure Boot, Linux and SteamOS players are locked out. The affected list includes Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, Vanguard, Modern Warfare 2 (2022), Modern Warfare 3 (2023), Black Ops 6, Black Ops 7, and almost certainly the upcoming Modern Warfare 4.

Riot Games Titles

None of Riot Games’ titles work on Steam Machine. Riot does not even distribute its games through Steam, and the Vanguard anti-cheat system blocks Linux entirely. League of Legends, Valorant, and 2XKO are all affected, despite spanning different genres. Even with the Steam Controller proving that mouse-and-keyboard-style control could be adapted to a couch setup, Riot’s library remains unavailable.

Is There Any Hope?

That question is fair. Some games use third-party anti-cheat vendors that now offer Linux support. If developers choose to enable those compatibility options, a game could become playable on Steam Machine relatively quickly. However, Valve’s influence is limited. The company hoped the Steam Machine’s potentially larger installed base might persuade publishers to revisit anti-cheat compatibility, but with high prices and supply constraints expected, that installed base may never grow large enough to change their minds.

A quick summary:

For now, the Steam Machine remains an exciting piece of hardware, but players who care about these blockbuster multiplayer experiences will need to keep a Windows PC or console nearby.