Epic Games tests an AI-assisted launcher that tries to outrun Steam
vibe coding
Using AI to help write and review software code.
Preview
A public test version before the final release.
cold start
Starting an app when it is not already running.
What happened
Epic Games, the company that makes Fortnite, a popular game, and runs the Epic Games Store, released a Preview version of a new Epic Games Launcher on October 14, 2026. The launcher is the app players use to find, buy, download, and start PC games. The new version runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, a computer operating system. It is the first Epic launcher release with Linux support.
Epic says the new app is faster and more responsive. It adds game pages, better search and filters, collections, and a clearer download center. Epic calls the project “vibe coding.” Here, that means using AI to write and review code while developers guide the work. Epic says the team rebuilt the launcher from the ground up. It did not simply copy the old code. (Epic’s announcement)
The background
Epic Games Store competes with Steam, Valve’s PC game store and launcher. Epic had already described plans to rebuild the older launcher. In June, the company described a ground-up rebuild and promised much faster startup times. The Preview is the public test of that effort.
Martin Keely, an Epic executive for its store and online services, told The Verge that AI helped with testing and reproducing core functions. He said developers managed and supervised the process. The team did not adopt a rule that removed handwritten code. (The Verge’s report)
Why it matters
The story is bigger than a new game-store window. It shows AI-assisted coding moving into a major app used by ordinary customers. If a small team can rebuild one product for several operating systems, AI may shorten some development work.
That does not prove that AI makes software safe or complete. A launcher handles accounts, purchases, downloads, and updates. It must work reliably, not just open quickly. Epic’s description points to a human-led process with AI assistance. The important test is whether that process produces a stable product.
What is confirmed
Epic’s speed claim has some outside checking, but it is not a universal result. Ars Technica found the Preview reached the store page a few seconds faster than Steam from a cold start, when login or update problems did not interfere. Epic also showed a 0.06-second advantage when restoring the library from the system tray. Ars said that difference was hard to notice. Hardware, network conditions, and account state can change the result. (Ars Technica’s report)
The Preview keeps the older launcher available. Epic says accounts, purchased games, installed games, cloud saves, and progress carry over. The new app also offers library and download improvements.
What remains unknown
The Preview is unfinished. Epic warns that bugs may appear and that some social and account-management features are missing. The company recommends the current launcher for competitive players and developers working on live projects. We do not yet know how quickly missing features will return, or how stable the Preview will be after long use.
Linux support also has a limit. A Linux launcher does not make every Epic game run on Linux. Epic plans to bring Fortnite to Linux through the app, but it must rebuild Easy Anti-Cheat and work with Linux distribution maintainers. No release date has been announced.
What to watch next
The next evidence will come from updates and real-world comparisons. Watch for bug fixes, missing features, performance on older computers, and support for more Linux games. Epic says it will move to a full release after the new launcher becomes stable and reaches feature parity. Until then, “faster than Steam” is a claim to test, not a final verdict.
Epic Games built a faster game launcher with AI help
📰 Full story: Epic Games tests an AI-assisted launcher that tries to outrun Steam
The new app may open games faster. It is still being tested.
vibe coding
Using AI to help make computer software.
Preview
A test version before the final app.
Linux
A computer operating system.
💡 The gist
- Epic Games, a game company, built a new game launcher with AI help.
- Epic says it opens faster than Steam, another game store.
- The Preview still has bugs and missing features.
Epic Games makes Fortnite, a game, and sells games online. It released a new Epic Games Launcher Preview on October 14, 2026. A launcher helps players find, buy, download, and start games. The Preview works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, another computer system. This is Epic’s first launcher with Linux support.
Epic calls the method “vibe coding.” AI helped write computer code. AI also helped check the code and test features. Human developers directed the work. They watched the whole process. This matters because AI did not replace the development team.
Epic says the new launcher feels faster and more responsive. Ars Technica tested it against Steam, another PC game store and launcher. The Preview reached the store page a few seconds sooner. The result can change with different computers and network conditions. So, the test does not prove it always wins.
The new launcher changes how players use their libraries. Games get clearer pages. Search and filters help players find games. A download center shows more activity. Epic wants the launcher to match the older version’s features.
That goal is not finished. The Preview may have bugs. Some social and account tools are missing. Epic recommends the current launcher for competitive players and developers. The old launcher remains available during the test. Accounts, games, cloud saves, and progress stay connected to each user’s account.
Players can send feedback about problems. Epic wants a full release after the new version becomes stable and complete.
Linux support is useful, but it has limits. A Linux launcher does not make every game work on Linux. Epic plans to bring Fortnite, its game, to Linux later. It must first rebuild its anti-cheat system. Epic has not shared a date.
The deeper lesson is about software work. AI may help a small team move faster. But speed is only one part of quality. Players still need reliability and complete features. The next updates will show whether the AI-assisted process works well.
Epic made a new game-opening app with AI help
📰 Full story: Epic Games tests an AI-assisted launcher that tries to outrun Steam
It may open games faster, but it is still being tested.
AI
A computer helper that can do tasks with people.
launcher
An app that helps open games.
Linux
Another kind of computer system.
Epic Games is a game company. It made a new app for opening games. The app is called a launcher.
AI is a computer helper. It helped people write the app’s instructions. People checked the work too.
The launcher works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Linux is another kind of computer system. Epic says the app opens faster than Steam. Steam is another game shop. Some tests found it opened a few seconds sooner.
The app is still a test version. It may have small mistakes. Some buttons and tools are not ready. Epic will keep fixing the app.
The launcher working on Linux is good news. It does not make every game work there. Epic wants Fortnite, its game, to work there later. It has not said when.