For fans wondering if the highly anticipated Black Ops 7 will run on their beloved Steam Deck, the news isn’t looking good. While an official compatibility rating is still pending, recent updates to Activision’s Ricochet anti-cheat system strongly suggest that the game will be unsupported.
Why Black Ops 7 Won’t Work on Steam Deck
The core issue lies with Activision’s Ricochet anti-cheat system. Recent changes mandate the activation of secure boot and TMP 2.0. Unfortunately, these security features are incompatible with SteamOS, the operating system that powers the Steam Deck. This effectively prevents Black Ops 7 from launching on Valve’s portable gaming PC.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The updated Ricochet system, which rolled out with Season 5 Reloaded in Call of Duty Black Ops 6 (September 2025), mirrors similar requirements seen in other popular titles like Apex Legends, Battlefield 6, Destiny 2, and Valorant. These games also face the same compatibility hurdles, making them unplayable on the Steam Deck for identical reasons.
However, if you own a handheld device running Windows, such as the ROG Ally X, you theoretically won’t encounter the same launch issues with Black Ops 7. Keep in mind that successful gameplay will still depend on the device meeting the game’s as-yet-unreleased system requirements.
If you’re looking for fantastic gaming experiences on your Valve handheld, there are plenty of excellent titles that are fully compatible. From engaging indie gems to expansive triple-A blockbusters, a vast library of games awaits you on the Steam Deck.
Do you prefer playing competitive shooters on your Steam Deck, or do you reserve these intense experiences for a dedicated desktop PC setup? Share your thoughts with other gamers in our community!