Electronic Arts is laying the groundwork to bring its robust anti-cheat software, Javelin, to Arm-based PCs, signaling a potential shift in the PC gaming landscape. The move, revealed through a new job listing, suggests EA is preparing to support games like Battlefield on devices powered by processors beyond the traditional x86 architecture. This development comes as Nvidia prepares to launch its highly anticipated N1 and N1X chips, designed to bring mainstream gaming to the Windows on Arm platform.
Javelin, launched last year to combat cheating in Battlefield 6, operates at the kernel level to detect and prevent malicious code. EA has reported significant success with the system, having blocked over 580,000 cheating attempts, according to a recent update. The company’s decision to expand Javelin’s compatibility reflects a growing interest in the Arm ecosystem and a desire to reach a wider audience of PC gamers.
The job posting for a “Senior Anti-Cheat Engineer, ARM64” explicitly calls for someone to “develop a native ARM driver” for Javelin. This confirms EA’s intention to support Arm-based devices, though the company has indicated Apple Silicon isn’t a current focus, and Qualcomm’s X-series hasn’t gained enough traction to warrant immediate support. The timing of this role aligns with the expected debut of Nvidia’s N1/N1X chips, which are poised to deliver a significant performance boost to Windows on Arm gaming.
The N1 silicon is rumored to feature a 20-core Arm CPU paired with an RTX 5070-level GPU, according to industry speculation. The job description further clarifies the focus, stating a need for “development of [our] Windows on ARM support.” This isn’t the first time an anti-cheat provider has extended support to Arm and Linux; Epic Games previously added support for Uncomplicated Anti-Cheat on these platforms, but its popular title, Fortnite, remains unavailable on those systems.
The Challenge of Anti-Cheat on Non-x86 Architectures
Historically, most anti-cheat software has been designed exclusively for x86-based Windows machines. This limitation has hindered the growth of Linux gaming, as Valve’s efforts to promote the platform have been hampered by the lack of compatible anti-cheat solutions. Similarly, Arm-based devices have been largely excluded from popular multiplayer games due to this incompatibility. A native Arm version of Javelin would represent a major step forward for non-x86 PC gaming, opening up a new market for developers and gamers alike.
EA’s ambitions extend beyond just Arm. The job listing also mentions charting a path for Javelin to support additional operating systems and hardware, specifically mentioning Linux and Proton. Proton, a compatibility layer developed by Valve, allows Windows games to run on Linux-based systems like the Steam Deck. Supporting Proton would allow Javelin to protect games played on the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, potentially influencing other major game developers, such as Riot Games and Epic Games, to follow suit.
Microsoft has also signaled its commitment to Arm-based Windows gaming with the recent release of the Xbox app for Arm-based Windows 11 devices. This move, combined with EA’s efforts to bring Javelin to Arm, suggests a growing ecosystem of support for non-x86 gaming platforms.
What’s Next for Javelin and Windows on Arm?
The development of a native Arm driver for Javelin is a crucial step towards unlocking the full potential of Windows on Arm for gaming. If Nvidia’s N1/N1X chips deliver on their promises, and EA successfully ports Javelin, we could see a significant increase in the number of popular games available on Arm-based PCs. This could also spur further innovation in the Arm gaming space, attracting more developers and players to the platform. The success of this endeavor will likely influence the broader industry, potentially leading to wider adoption of Arm-based gaming solutions.
The coming months will be critical as Nvidia prepares to launch its N1/N1X chips and EA progresses with the development of the Arm driver for Javelin. Keep an eye on these developments as they could reshape the future of PC gaming.
