Epic unveils a refresh of its Epic Games Launcher for PC in preview, saying that the new version is “vibe coded” and “way faster”, and now supports Linux

Epic is making a big push into AI-assisted development, and that approach includes its work on the new, faster launcher.

The Verge 2026-10-15 Jay Peters

Context & Ripple Effects

Epic’s PC and Mac store launched in 2018 with a small initial catalogue and its own games, establishing the launcher as the company’s consumer distribution surface. In February, Epic Games Store VP Steven Allison acknowledged that the launcher needed substantial work, including social features; the preview is a concrete response to that publicly stated repair agenda.

The update also makes AI-assisted development part of Epic’s product narrative rather than an internal engineering choice. Linux support broadens the launcher’s platform reach, while Epic’s request for preview feedback makes early users part of the release-validation process.

First-order effects

Linux users can install and test the Epic Games Launcher preview, giving Epic a direct distribution client on an additional desktop platform.
Epic’s launcher team gains bug reports and performance feedback from preview users as it validates the faster, AI-assisted rebuild.

Second-order effects

Epic’s game-publishing partners gain a potential route to reach Linux launcher users, but each game’s availability and compatibility still determine whether that reach translates into playable catalogues.
The public emphasis on speed raises the competitive bar for Epic’s own store experience: improvements to discovery, social features and library performance become more visible measures of whether the rebuild addresses Allison’s earlier critique.

Third-order effects

If AI-assisted implementation becomes routine for major client rewrites, consumer software teams may increasingly pair faster iteration with public previews to find the defects automated development can introduce.
Linux support points toward PC game distribution being shaped less by a single operating-system assumption and more by the compatibility, anti-cheat and client layers surrounding each title.

The trend: AI-assisted development is moving into consumer-facing software releases, where deployment speed is increasingly coupled with preview-based quality assurance and broader platform support.

Discussion

@epicgames @epicgames on x
We vibe coded the Epic Games Launcher to be faster than the other guy. Don't believe us? Test it out for yourself in Preview: https://launcher.epicgames.com/
@dhh @dhh on x
Fortnite is coming to Linux!! We are already working with the folks at @EpicGames to ensure that @Omarchy is ready on day one with all the security requirements. Amazing what's possible when you nag @TimSweeneyEpic for years 😂 https://store.epicgames.com/ ...
@fortnitelinux @fortnitelinux on x
The Epic Games Launcher is now available in preview for Linux. https://launcher.epicgames.com/
@timsweeneyepic Tim Sweeney on x
@wawilow108 @FortniteLinux we vibecoded linux support
@epicgames @epicgames on x
Is this bad boy faster? Yes. Will it have some bugs? Yes. Do we want to hear about them? Hell yes. When you find something that's off, hit the “Send Feedback
@wario64 @wario64 on x
Easy Anti-Cheat being rebuilt for Linux in EAC Linux v2. Planned for pilot in Fortnite first “Once we've validated EAC v2's effectiveness, we'll make it available to more game developers so they can bring their multiplayer games to Linux players too” https://onlineservices.epicga…
@mark_k Mark Kretschmann on x
Epic Games is done with holding back: They're now putting Super Intelligence front and center, openly telling everyone that they “vibe coded
@hypex @hypex on x
NEW EPIC GAMES LAUNCHER REVEAL (Preview expected very soon) SPEED (vs Steam): • Startup → 5.47s vs 10.07s (1.8x faster) • Library Load → 0.36s vs 0.42s (1.2x faster) • Opens the Store 3x faster • Switches tabs almost instantly LAYOUT & SOCIAL: • One simple frame for Store, Librar…
@planogaming Alex on x
I can't believe they wrote that: “Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that's way faster and more responsive than the current one, and has a new look. This first release is light on features.” https://store.epicgames.com/ ...
@kaizoslop Kaizo on x
doing this right after the bloomberg article about epic's AI usage .. i have never seen a more out of touch company man 😭
@jthefrog0 @jthefrog0 on x
so Tim Sweeny DOES have an Ego problem about being worse then Steam. Good thing that this did not change anything. steam is still better.
@rezztro @rezztro on x
“Programming is hard.” Tim Sweeney's AI psychosis will genuinely run this company into the ground.
@olexgamedev @olexgamedev on x
Is AI getting rid of Electron webdev slop for desktop applications? It sure looks that way. The new preview of the Epic Games launcher takes less memory and feels faster.
@agelessoath @agelessoath on x
@TimSweeneyEpic ... you need to resign from epic games you are so disgustingly out of touch, it's beyond human comprehension how you've managed to reach this point you will never be better than valve, because you are the problem, you don't care for the players, you only car...
@mattworkman Matt Workman on x
loads fast AF on MacOS! I told Epic that with the OLD launcher I basically never used it to launch projects or find assets, because it was beyond slow the OLD Epic Games Launcher is/was literally an Unreal Engine app. this new version is “Vibe Coded
@firemonkey @firemonkey on x
Fortnite is coming to Linux on the Launcher To bring Fortnite to Linux, we are rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) and working with distro maintainers on security requirements. Once it's working with a critical mass of distro maintainers, we'll bring Fortnite to Linux via the Epic G…
Sean Palomino Sean Palomino on linkedin
New Epic Games Launcher preview just dropped! It has tons of improvements, especially around load times. Don't miss the Linux version too. …
@tomwarren.co.uk Tom Warren on bluesky
Epic is bringing Fortnite to Linux. There's no timeline on when, but Epic is rebuilding its anti-cheat software so that Fortnite will be playable on Linux www.theverge.com/games/101080...
@errant-signal.com Chris Franklin on bluesky
Absolutely jawdropping to see Epic, once renowned for their engine prowess, literally opening a PR announcement with “Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher” — Especially given the dearth of features in the EGS compared to Steam…
r/NixOS r on reddit
Easy Anti-Cheat v2 will require a signed kernel, signed kernel modules, and secure boot with attestation. What does that look like for NixOS?
r/iRacing r on reddit
Announcement by Epic - Are we a step closer to Linux?
r/LowSodiumStarCitizen r on reddit
Epic is bringing Easy Anti Cheat (EAC) fully to Linux
r/linux_gaming r on reddit
Epic annouces Easy Anti Cheat v2 for Linux
r/archlinux r on reddit
Will this prompt arch to use signed kernels? Or provide them as an alternate choice?
r/linux r on reddit
Epic annouces Easy Anti Cheat v2 for Linux
r/programmingcirclejerk r on reddit
Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that's way faster and more responsive than the current one, and has a new look. …
r/gaming r on reddit
“The new Epic Games Launcher is finally here in Preview” and Fortnite on Linux
r/linux r on reddit
Never mind new launcher: Epic's new approach to anti-cheat on Linux is the big news
r/pcgaming r on reddit
Fortnite announced for Linux with kernel-level AC support
r/cs2 r on reddit
Fortnite announced for Linux with kernel-level AC support. What are Valve apologists' excuses?
r/Games r on reddit
Awesome Gaming on Linux Without Cheating
r/cachyos r on reddit
Will Cachy support Epic Games Linux initiative
r/singularity r on reddit
Epic Games Store vibecoded - Now twice as fast as steam when it used to be much slower
r/Games r on reddit
Awesome Gaming on Linux Without Cheating
r/fuckepic r on reddit
“Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that's way faster and more responsive than the current one, and has a new look.”
r/linux r on reddit
The new Epic Games Launcher is finally here in Preview
r/FortniteFestival r on reddit
Fortnite coming to blessed Linux distros, but not SteamOS
r/rust r on reddit
Another Rust rewrite, the new Epic Games Launcher uses Tauri
r/EpicGamesPC r on reddit
The new Epic Games Launcher is finally here in Preview
r/Games r on reddit
The new Epic Games Launcher is finally here in Preview
r/pcgaming r on reddit
The new Epic Games Launcher is finally here in Preview

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