Epic Games is testing a redesigned Epic Games Store launcher that it says loads faster than Steam, while openly describing the preview as “vibe coded”.
The preview build is available to download. Epic, the company behind Fortnite, says the new launcher has a refreshed appearance and improved responsiveness. Its first release is intentionally limited, with Epic comparing it to a speedboat rather than a fully equipped yacht.
Epic’s preview announcement explains that “vibe coding” involves using artificial intelligence to generate software without necessarily understanding all of the resulting code. Supporters regard the method as a way to speed up development, while software engineering critics have raised concerns about maintainability and security vulnerabilities.
What does the new Epic launcher include?
The preview is light on features, although it includes a shopping cart and other digital-commerce functions. That makes it more than a simple interface experiment, particularly because users may eventually use it to manage purchases and payment details.
Epic’s comparison claims that the new store opens in 5.47 seconds on a cold start, making it 46% faster than Steam in that test. The company also says restoring the launcher from the system tray to the library is 14% faster.
Other changes target library management and background performance. Epic says the preview offers:
- Quicker movement between the store and game library
- Lower system load while the launcher runs in the background
- Voice chat
- More information about games in a user’s library
- Customisable library views
- Faster filtering
- Additional download-speed information
These figures come from Epic’s own comparison, so the practical difference will depend on each computer, connection and launcher setup. PC players who also follow arcade and gaming news will understand the appeal: library access matters most when the launcher stays out of the way.
The same principle applies when planning a dedicated gaming setup. Anyone deciding between a desktop and an arcade machine can use RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide to think through space, controls and maintenance before committing to hardware.
Epic is committing to an AI-heavy future
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has described a major internal shift towards what he calls “maximum AI acceleration”. In a post on X, he said the aim was not simply to achieve the same results with fewer employees, but to help teams create more and better work, including teams using Unreal.
“We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration.”
“The aim isn’t to do the same stuff with fewer people, but to enable everyone here to build MORE and BETTER stuff, and to bring the benefits to all teams using Unreal.”
Sweeney has previously taken a strong pro-AI position. After US senators asked Apple and Google to remove X from their app stores following a surge of AI-generated sexualised images depicting real people, including minors, he argued that removing the app and Grok would allow politicians to censor opponents.
Epic has also acknowledged using AI during the creation of Fortnite skins. The company released an AI-powered Darth Vader character that players manipulated into saying slurs, an incident that added to debate around the risks of generative AI in games.
For readers comparing hardware and software setups, reliability and control matter alongside speed. An arcade cabinet may also need replacement controls or display components over time, making a reliable source of arcade parts for repairs just as relevant as headline performance figures.
The new launcher remains a preview, so Epic’s speed claims are not yet the final word on its finished storefront.
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