Not at launch, and BULKHEAD says so in writing. Pinned on the Steam forum since 4 September: "We do not officially support Linux and we cannot commit to having support for launch. We are still working on Official Linux Proton compatibility... please refund the game if you mistakenly bought it thinking you would be able to run Linux via Proton on September 10th." Beta runs that worked on Linux were "by happenstance".
The technical reason: WARDOGS ships with kernel-level Easy Anti-Cheat and BULKHEAD has not enabled EAC's Linux/Proton module, so the game exits before the menu on Steam Deck and desktop Linux. There's no launch option or Proton version that gets round it; it's a developer switch.
Why it fails
EAC has a Proton-compatible mode that developers opt into. Without it, the anti-cheat driver can't load under Wine and the game closes. Games like Apex and Fall Guys work on Deck because their developers flipped that switch; WARDOGS hasn't.
What doesn't work
- Proton Experimental, GE-Proton, any launch option. The block is the anti-cheat, not compatibility.
PROTON_EAC_RUNTIMEtricks. Those only help when the developer has already enabled EAC for Proton.
What does, technically
Dual-boot Windows on the Deck runs it, but the Deck's APU sits under the minimum spec and a full 100-player match won't hold 30 FPS at 800p Low. It's a demo, not a way to play.
Steam Deck verified status
Unsupported. If BULKHEAD enables the EAC Proton module during Early Access it'll show up in the Deck compatibility rating on the store page; this page will update the same day.
Desktop Linux
Same block. Keep an eye on the EAC-enabled list on ProtonDB; when WARDOGS appears there it's playable.
Minimum spec for reference
Full system requirements. The Deck's RDNA2 APU is roughly a GTX 1050 Ti in this class of game, under the GTX 1660 floor.
FAQ
Does WARDOGS run on Steam Deck?
No. Easy Anti-Cheat's Proton/Wine support has to be enabled by the developer and BULKHEAD hasn't at launch, so the game fails to start.
Will it ever?
Possibly. Enabling EAC for Proton is a developer-side toggle. BULKHEAD hasn't announced it; when they do, this page changes.
Can I dual-boot Windows on the Deck?
Yes, Windows on Steam Deck runs the game technically, but the Deck's APU is below the minimum spec (GTX 1660 / i5-8600) and 100-player matches will be a slideshow.
Sick of full servers and queues?
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