Epic Games has launched a new "vibe-coded" launcher in Preview, claiming it's significantly faster than Steam. This marks the company's first major step into AI-first development, bringing performance boosts and new features for PC gamers.
Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, has rolled out a new "vibe-coded" launcher in Preview. The company claims this redesigned launcher is significantly faster than Valve's Steam, putting into practice Epic's recently announced shift towards AI-first development.
According to CEO Tim Sweeney's announcement on October 12, 2026, Epic is now focusing on AI-first development. The new launcher is the first major example of this approach, with "vibe-coding" being an AI-driven practice.
Epic Claims Faster Performance Than Steam
Epic Games has provided specific benchmarks to support its speed claims. From a cold start, the new Epic Games launcher opens its store in 5.47 seconds. This is nearly twice as fast as Steam, which reportedly takes 10.07 seconds for the same action.
For quicker tasks, the difference is also noticeable. Reopening the Library from the system tray takes just 0.36 seconds on Epic's new launcher, compared to Steam's 0.42 seconds. These figures suggest a considerable improvement in responsiveness.
Enhanced Library and User Experience Features
Beyond the raw speed, Epic states the new launcher significantly improves the Epic Games Library experience. It is said to be around 30 times faster than the previous version, offering a smoother navigation for users.
Key features of the redesigned launcher include faster loading times, the ability to show your playtime, and a consolidated section for all your downloads. Users can also switch between Details and Grid views, create visual collections for their games, and hide titles they no longer play, which helps in managing a growing game collection.
The new design also places recently played games front and center, integrates social features directly into the app, and allows users to personalise the top bar. This aims to make the launcher more user-friendly and tailored to individual preferences.
Native Linux Support Arrives
A significant addition to the new launcher is native Linux support. Epic Games had previously indicated plans to bring a native Linux launcher, and it appears to be here now. However, the company has noted that the current Preview version is not yet available on Linux, suggesting the full implementation might follow the Preview phase.
What This Means for Indian Gamers
For Indian PC gamers who often use both the Epic Games Launcher and Steam for their game libraries, a faster, more efficient Epic launcher is a welcome development. The reported performance boosts, especially in library management, could significantly enhance the daily gaming experience, reducing waiting times and making game access quicker.
The commitment to native Linux support is also good news for the growing community of Linux gamers in India, offering more options and potentially better performance once the stable version is released for the platform. As it is a Preview, Epic is encouraging players to provide feedback to help iron out any bugs before the full release.
