This impacts more than just cheaters. Rockstar apparently didn't enable Proton support with Battleye meaning many Linux users can no longer play GTA Online. I don't play GTAO but I am not looking forward to when I can no longer play Red Dead Online.
"As we mentioned previously, BattlEye on Proton integration has reached a point where all a developer needs to do is reach out BattlEye to enable it for their title. No additional work is required by the developer besides that communication." source: https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4145017/view/3104663180636096966
As a Linux player I'm SO glad I didn't buy RDR2. I was on the fence about it earlier this year but decided against it due to buying Diablo 4.... I've since removed RDR2 from my wishlist.
Geez just let people play the game however the hell they want. Unless it’s a multiplayer esports title that people compete on, cheating hurts absolutely no one.
Starfield is only playable because of mods, for example. Sometimes us normal people with jobs literally can’t grind resources for days in order to craft that one item. Would these studios rather we not pay $50 for their games? Because that’s my only recourse.
I understand that I don’t technically own most of the games I spend my hard-earned cash on, but once I’ve paid, it’s none of their goddamn business how I choose to use it.
I agree, a big buggy open world game, maybe not quite as bad as Fallout 76, is not a place for intrusive anti-cheat. If there is a place for it, it's competitive shooters, and, as you pointed out, competitive esports.