Epic Games releases AI-built launcher preview claiming 46 percent faster startup than Steam
Epic Games has launched a preview of a new launcher built with AI tools, claiming it starts significantly faster than competitors while acknowledging known bugs.
Key points
- Epic Games released a preview of a redesigned launcher built using AI-assisted coding, claiming it starts 46 percent faster than Steam.
- The new application introduces library organization features and dedicated game pages previously absent from the Epic Games Store.
- Users should expect bugs and missing social features, as the company has not yet achieved full feature parity with the current version.
Epic Games has made a preview version of its new launcher available for download, claiming the application starts 46 percent faster than Valve's Steam client. The company states that this updated tool was created using artificial intelligence to rewrite the codebase from scratch, resulting in a faster and more responsive experience for users.
In plain English
The new launcher is not a minor update but a complete rebuild of the application that runs the Epic Games Store. Epic Games engineers used AI tools to generate and review new code, a process they describe as "vibe coding." This approach allowed a small team to recreate existing functionality without copying the old source code, aiming for improved performance on Windows, Mac, and future Linux versions.
The background
Epic Games announced the rearchitecture of its storefront at an Unreal Fest presentation in June, promising significantly faster cold start times. The company had previously struggled with performance issues in its existing launcher, which affected both developers and players. Martin Keely, general manager of the Epic Games Store, told PC Gamer that the goal was to replicate functionality while changing the underlying technology stack entirely.
What changes now
The preview launcher includes dedicated pages for individual games, a unified downloads section, and collection features that allow users to organize their libraries. However, the application currently lacks certain social features and account management options. Epic Games has removed its previous warning against competitive players using the preview, stating that in-game performance remains unaffected despite interface bugs.
Key terms explained
Vibe coding refers to using AI models to write software based on general descriptions rather than detailed technical specifications. Teams usually start with existing applications and use AI to generate new code structures. This method can speed up development but requires careful testing to ensure the generated code works as intended across different systems and does not introduce hidden errors.
What to do and how to stay safe: Epic Games
- Download the preview launcher only if you can tolerate potential bugs and missing features while testing the new interface.
- Verify that your primary gaming activities function correctly, as Epic Games confirms in-game performance is not impacted by the new launcher code.
- Monitor official channels for stability updates, as the company is actively gathering feedback before releasing a stable version to the public.
- Keep your current launcher installed as a backup until the new version achieves full feature parity and resolves known interface issues.
General security guidance from the Vector Update newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Does the new launcher affect gameplay performance?
Epic Games states that once you are inside a game, performance is unaffected, and all services work as intended.
Can I use the new launcher for competitive gaming?
Yes, the company has updated its guidance to confirm that the preview does not prevent casual or competitive play.
Is the new launcher available on all operating systems?
The preview currently supports Windows and Mac, with a Linux version planned for the future according to company leadership.
