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Epic Games releases preview of revamped launcher with Linux support

Epic Games has launched a preview of a redesigned Epic Games Launcher, touting official Linux support, significant speed improvements over Steam, and development that was "vibe coded" using AI.

Screenshot of the redesigned Epic Games Launcher Preview 0.95.1 interface showing a game library grid and chat panel.
Image: @VideoCardz

Epic Games has released a preview refresh of the Epic Games Launcher for PC, introducing official support for Linux alongside claims of substantial performance gains over rival platform Steam. The company stated that the new software is "way faster" and was "vibe coded" with AI because "programming is hard," according to reporting from The Verge, VGC, and HotHardware.[1][2][3]

Performance claims highlighted across initial reports pit the updated client directly against Valve's Steam. VideoCardz reported that Epic claims the preview is 1.8x faster than Steam, while Tom's Hardware noted Epic's claim that the launcher starts 46% faster.[4][5]

Shared preview screenshots show an interface labeled Preview 0.95.1 featuring redesigned library, social, and chat layouts.[3][4]

Key facts

  • Epic Games released a preview version of its refreshed Epic Games Launcher featuring official Linux support.
  • Epic stated that the new launcher preview was "vibe coded" with AI because "programming is hard."
  • VideoCardz reported an Epic claim that the launcher is 1.8x faster than Steam.
  • Tom's Hardware reported an Epic claim that the client starts 46% faster than Steam.
  • A screenshot of the release interface identifies the build as Preview 0.95.1.

Sources · 5 sources

  1. HO

    HotHardware@HotHardwarePost on X ·

    Epic says "programming is hard," so it vibe-coded a new launcher and claims it's way faster than Steam. It's available to preview now, if you're so inclined. https://t.co/vBd3WvWehF

    Open source
  2. TE

    Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·

    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 (@jaypeters / The Verge) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)

    Open source
  3. VG

    VGC@VGC_NewsPost on X ·

    Epic Games has released a preview version of its new Epic Games Launcher, and says it has been "vibe coded" with AI because "programming is hard". https://t.co/D4lAg2gtYR https://t.co/ycJsQplKzX

    Open source
  4. VC

    VideoCardz.com@VideoCardzPost on X ·

    Epic Games Launcher preview released: official Linux support and 1.8x faster than Steam 🔗https://t.co/7QFCQwQs3B https://t.co/XzG4tOkI5H

    Open source
  5. TH

    Tom's Hardware@tomshardwarePost on X ·

    Epic Games vibe codes new launcher because 'programming is hard,' claims it starts 46% faster than Steam https://t.co/VImpJlpBuz

    Open source