Epic Games launches AI-built launcher preview with Linux support

Epic Games has released a preview version of its rebuilt Epic Games Launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The company utilized a development method it calls “vibe coding,” which relies heavily on artificial intelligence to write and review code. This approach is part of a broader strategy by CEO Tim Sweeney to maximize AI acceleration across the company.

The new launcher aims to significantly improve performance, with Epic claiming a cold start time of 5.47 seconds—roughly 1.8 times faster than Steam. However, Valve responded with a Steam Client update that reportedly reduced its own startup time to approximately 5.23 seconds, reclaiming a slight edge in speed.

A major focus of the update is bringing Fortnite to Linux. To achieve this, Epic is rebuilding its Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) software into version v2. This new security architecture requires specific system configurations, including a signed kernel, Secure Boot with attestation, and TPM 2.0, to ensure a level of protection comparable to Windows. While the launcher now supports Linux, the Steam Deck is currently excluded due to these strict hardware and kernel requirements.