It looks like they enabled linux EAC support at the same time as they put the game on sale. Very smart move because there are lots of ex R6 players that cant play it anymore on linux. The steam page still says "Steam Deck unsupported" but its just only been 4 days so its not updated yet https://www.protondb.com/app/753650 

Is this game published by Annapurna?

That's what it said on the steam page.

Huh you're right. But it looks like annapurna has pulled out, there's no record of them being related to due process in their official site or anything. So the game must have run out of funding.

Well spotted. Looks like it had been essentially dormant for a good while after being something of a failed launch, so perhaps they cut ties. Looks like they're working on getting it off the ground again. I'll give it a try later

If I can't host the server myself, it's still too expensive.

Give a quick search for Annapurna games division, and they may have cut ties for completely unrelated reasons to the game's success.

Couldn't turn anything up, you?

Basically the entire staff of Annapurna interactive walked out and left the company. The company still exists, but developers are no longer working with the same publisher anymore really, and some deals got axed.

Seeing it now, not sure what was up with my searches. Good for those employees who walked out, that's the energy we need these days