- Epic Games has launched a preview build of its redesigned PC launcher, completely rewritten from scratch using AI tools.
- Independent benchmarks show the client boots 46% faster from a cold start compared to Valve’s Steam.
- The launcher natively supports Linux distributions and lays the groundwork for Fortnite via a rebuilt Easy Anti-Cheat system.
Epic Games has rolled out an extensive preview overhaul of its desktop storefront client. The new launcher brings a modern design, major responsiveness enhancements, and a milestone first for the platform: native Linux support. Remarkably, the company revealed that the entire software was developed through AI-assisted engineering, openly describing the application as “vibe coded.”
New Architecture Delivers 46% Cold-Start Advantage Over Steam
Addressing the development process, Epic Games Store General Manager Martin Keely explained that the team did not rely on AI merely to tweak legacy issues. Instead, engineers built a brand-new architecture for both the store and shell. Using generative tools allowed Epic to write and review features from the ground up on a fresh technology stack.
To substantiate its performance claims, Epic commissioned independent benchmark testing from Keywords Studios across 13 Windows environments. The findings reveal that the preview launcher goes from a cold start to the store catalog 46% faster than Valve’s Steam. System tray restoration is 14% quicker (an improvement of 0.06 seconds), while the redesigned game library operates up to 30 times faster.
| Feature / Metric | Legacy Epic Launcher | New Preview Launcher |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Start Startup Speed | Slower than competitors | 46% faster than Steam |
| Platform Support | Windows, macOS | Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, Linux |
| Third-Party Integration | EGS titles only | Import shortcuts from Steam and other stores |
| Library Capabilities | Basic list view | Custom collections, dedicated game hubs, unified downloads |
AI-First Strategy Takes Shape
This launch reflects a company-wide shift toward artificial intelligence. Tim Sweeney previously confirmed this operational pivot, which aligns with recent reports that Epic Games shifts to AI-first development and delays Disney shooter to restructure engineering workflows. Sweeney underscored that the objective is to empower teams to build higher-quality products faster rather than reducing headcount.
Native Linux Release and Fortnite Expansion
Available immediately at launcher.epicgames.com, the preview client supports Windows 10/11, macOS 12 or newer, and Linux distributions including Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Debian 12, and Fedora 43.
In parallel, Epic announced substantial investments in Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC Linux v2), utilizing eBPF and systemd services to harden kernel-level integrity on Linux. Once the updated anti-cheat demonstrates stability across major distributions, Epic plans to deploy Fortnite natively on Linux. Rick Deist, Epic’s game security engineering director, confirmed that the company is actively communicating with Valve to evaluate compatibility for SteamOS and the Steam Deck.
Current Beta Limitations
As the launcher remains in preview, several rough edges exist. The social dock cannot currently be resized or hidden, and several profile management tools are absent. Epic is advising Unreal Engine developers and competitive players in Fortnite and Rocket League to temporarily stay on the classic launcher until complete feature parity is reached.
End users get a substantially faster, less resource-heavy storefront capable of organizing cross-platform game libraries. For the broader gaming ecosystem, Epic’s EAC v2 improvements could finally resolve anti-cheat barriers on Linux, potentially encouraging other multiplayer developers to bring restricted titles to SteamOS and handheld systems.
The jump to eBPF for Easy Anti-Cheat on Linux is fascinating. How will that handle custom or patched kernels without triggering false positives? Also curious if the AI-driven architecture makes long-term codebase maintenance easier or harder for their team.