EAC Problems (Linux)

[DNEAVES]

Summary: "Anti-Cheat Error: EAC Validation Failed" after a few seconds, on joining every lobby.
Category: Other
Reproducibility: Always

Description:
Since the Neon Nights update, I have been unable to play on Linux (Pop_OS). When finding a match and joining the lobby, within about 5-8 seconds I'm returned to the menu with an "Anti-Cheat Error: EAC Validation Failed".

I was able to play just fine pre-Neon Nights, sans a small period of time post-Misery Empire where the same issue occurred but was later fixed via an update.

I've seen a suggestion to run the "InstallAntiCheat.bat" file within the install directory, but since I'm running on a Linux system, I have to run this through WINE. This did not solve the issue. I have also tried a full uninstall/reinstall of the game, using various Proton versions, and I have checked if this "fixed itself" various times since the Neon Nights release (Such as after the Queens and Kings release, and as recent as last week).

I really enjoyed this game, and would just like to play it again.

 

[DNEAVES]

Jatimania update: Still can't play. Tried after the Overhaul update. Tried a reinstall again. Tried using protontricks to run both InstallAntiCheat.bat and EastAntiCheat/EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe. No dice.

9 months since Neon Nights update, still can't play the game. Starting seems like a loss of money to have purchased the game, and I'm kinda giving up on it. Its a shame since it worked mostly-fine before Neon Nights, and it was a really fun game.

I tried reaching out on Discord.
I tried reaching out on Twitter/X, twice. (Giving me non-descriptive help, and non-help)
Pretty sure I sent a support request, too, but it was likely lost in the mix.
And of course, here.

And no tangible help. Just crickets.

 

[Yoshiro]

We do not test against any major linux distro, but do test against the Steam Deck. It is likely your proton version is not compatible with the EAC version the game is using. We would recommend trying to align it with one in use by Steam Deck (not in beta form).

 

[DNEAVES]

I've tried a bunch of the Proton versions.

Proton 7.0-6 (released Feb 2023, so doesn't make sense to try pre-7 versions) : Worked pre-EAC and pre-Misery Empire, but doesn't work now.

I used various versions of Proton 8.0-X post-Misery Empire update, as they were available. The last working combination of Proton releases and Deceive Inc would have to be Proton 8.0-2 (which at the time would have been "Experimental") and the Misery Empire update. Neon Nights and Proton 8.0-3 came out on July 20th and 21st, respectively, and that didn't work then. In Steam, can currently only select Proton 8.0-5 from 8.0 releases, which does not work.

Then there's Proton 9.0 Beta and Proton Experimental, both of which do not work.

My Steam Deck says, under Deceive Inc's game info: "Runs on this computer via Steam Play. Proton 8.0-5 selected by Valve testing". But as mentioned above, 8.0-5 isn't working on my desktop. It does work on my Steam Deck.

I also noted, in running Deceive Inc on my Steam Deck just now, that it did run an EAC install phase when launching the game for the first time. I don't recall seeing this on my desktop after any Proton version change, or reinstall of the game, or delete-EAC-folder + verify integrity. It just did usual Microsoft Redistributable & DirectX stuff. So it seems the EAC post-install-pre-launch scripts might not be running, or might be prematurely exiting with a quiet failure, which I already knew from trying to run them manually via protontricks.

I know EAC's scripts can run, since another game I play called LEAP uses EAC and I've used the installer there, and played that game no-problem. (Also, side note, they make use of Steam's Launch Options menu to add options for installing/uninstalling EAC, which I think can be helpful, instead of the "delete the EAC folder and verify" technique.)