Epic has released a public Preview of its rebuilt Epic Games Launcher. The Fortnite maker says the app is faster and more responsive than its current launcher, but warns that the Preview has bugs and missing features.
In Ars Technica’s test, the new launcher reached the store page from a cold start a few seconds faster than Steam, provided no login or update issue interrupted startup. Epic also claims it restores from the system tray to the Library screen 0.06 seconds faster than Steam. Ars found that difference unnoticeable in its testing.
Epic rebuilt the launcher with AI tools
Epic describes the project as “vibe coded.” Epic Games Store General Manager and VP Martin Keely told PC Gamer that a small team started from scratch. It used AI to write and review features in a different tech stack while recreating the existing launcher’s functions without reusing its code.
Keely told IGN that the approach helped the team rewrite the code base and launch the Preview faster across Windows and Mac. Epic first announced a rebuilt storefront and a private Launcher V2 beta at Unreal Fest in June. It said then that the new launcher would have cold starts five times faster than the current version.
The Preview has missing features
Epic says the Preview is “light on features.” Some social features and account management options from the existing launcher are absent. The new app does include a Recent Games list and a central downloads hub that shows network activity.
The release follows a Bloomberg report that Epic is shifting toward an “AI first” development model for an upcoming Star Wars and Marvel-themed shooter. On Monday, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney wrote that the company was moving developers around to make greater use of AI. He said the aim was to help teams build more, rather than do the same work with fewer people.
For now, Epic is asking Preview users to report bugs through a feedback form.
