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From The CircuitryVerified tech news, cross-checked.How we verify →
  • FromSoftware delays The Duskbloods until 2027Gaming
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Multiple outlets (PC Gamer, VideoCardz, The Verge, IGN) confirm Epic's Oct 14 preview launcher rebuild with Linux support and faster boot times than Steam.

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Home/Gaming/Epic Says New Launcher Preview Boots 46% Faster Than Steam
VERIFIEDBy Xavier Rivera·Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 11:28 AM AST·1.5 min read

Epic Says New Launcher Preview Boots 46% Faster Than Steam

Epic has released a preview of its rebuilt Epic Games Launcher, according to the company's announcements. The new version boots in 5.47 seconds (46% faster than Steam) and loads its library 30 times faster than the prior launcher while adding Linux support.

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Epic Says New Launcher Preview Boots 46% Faster Than Steam
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TL;DRAI · 60 sec read

Epic released a preview of its rebuilt Epic Games Launcher, now available for download. The launcher boots from cold in 5.47 seconds, 46 percent faster than Steam, and reopens from the tray in 0.36 seconds, 14 percent faster. The library loads 30 times faster than before, startup is twice as fast, and the app footprint is 300 megabytes. The rewrite used a new tech stack and AI-assisted coding.

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Epic has released a preview version of its rebuilt Epic Games Launcher, now available for download and focused on faster performance than both its predecessor and Steam, according to Epic's announcements and an interview with IGN.

The launcher was rebuilt from the ground up with a new tech stack. Epic used AI and vibe coding for the rewrite of the shell, download manager, library, store architecture, and product detail pages. The preview includes core panels for the store, library, and social features along with an Unreal-focused developer page, though it remains light on additional features in this early phase.
The launcher was rebuilt from the ground up with a new tech stack.

Speed gains form the main focus of the first phase. The launcher boots from cold in 5.47 seconds, which Epic states is 46 percent faster than Steam. Reopening from the system tray takes 0.36 seconds, 14 percent faster than Steam. The library loads 30 times faster than in the previous launcher, startup is twice as fast, and the app footprint is 300 megabytes.

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Platform support expands to Linux for the first time. The preview runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Fortnite will follow on Linux once Epic rebuilds its Easy Anti-Cheat system, with rollout planned after working with a critical mass of distro maintainers.
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Quality-of-life changes include improved customization options. Users can reorder tabs on the adjustable top bar and filter the library by various categories. Epic vice president and general manager of Epic Games Store Martin Keely said future work will target more relevant game discovery, merchandising, and easier social recommendations between players.
The preview runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Epic had earlier outlined plans for five times faster boot times. The preview is positioned as an incremental step while the company continues development.
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