Recently, Grand Theft Auto V has lost its verification status on Steam Deck, likely due to the introduction of BattlEye's anti-cheat software for GTA Online that was launched earlier this week.

According to Rockstar's official FAQ, BattlEye is designed as a kernel-level anti-cheat measure aimed at tackling various cheating issues present in GTA Online. However, this new system has inadvertently disrupted GTA's compatibility with Steam Deck, a situation that Rockstar attributes to Valve.

Rockstar clarified that the Steam Deck is not compatible with BattlEye for GTA Online, noting that while players can still engage in the Story GTA V mode, entry into GTA Online will be restricted. They mentioned that both GTA V and GTA Online do not receive official support on Steam Deck, and any technical inquiries should be directed towards Valve’s support resources.

Interestingly, it appears that Steam Deck may indeed support BattlEye. As highlighted by The Verge, Valve has indicated that enabling support for BattlEye on this handheld device could simply require them to make a request to activate the feature.

This situation represents a loss for both Valve and the Steam Deck community, considering that GTA V has maintained its status as one of the most highly favored options available on the platform previous evaluation described it as one of the ten finest games available on Steam Deck, surpassed only by Elden Ring, emphasizing how the game's open-world environment aligns perfectly with portable gaming. The immersive distractions of Los Santos provide a unique experience, making it especially fun to participate in the game while you're traveling.

For now, players can still immerse themselves in the narrative of GTA V on Steam Deck, a game that continues to impress even after more than a decade. However, the possibility of executing heists on the go remains out of reach.