Epic rebuilds its launcher from scratch, claims 5x faster load

Key Takeaways

• Epic Games Launcher V2 promises 5x faster cold starts and 6.5x faster system tray restoration
• The rebuild follows an Epic exec publicly admitting the current launcher 'sucks'
• New features include in-store patch notes, player reviews, and a personalized home page

Epic Games is rebuilding its launcher from the ground up after years of user complaints about sluggish performance. The company revealed at Unreal Fest that Launcher V2 will be five times faster on cold start and 6.5 times faster when restoring from the system tray. A private beta will precede public release, though Epic has not committed to specific dates.

The announcement follows an uncomfortable admission earlier this year. An Epic exec told Eurogamer the launcher "sucks," a rare moment of corporate candor that acknowledged what PC gamers had been saying since the Epic Games Store launched in 2018.

Why has the Epic launcher been so slow?

The current Epic Games Launcher has been a drag on the platform's ambitions. Users report high memory usage, CPU consumption even when idle, and UI responsiveness that lags behind competitors. Epic's presentation at Unreal Fest acknowledged this directly: "Every developer in this room and every player we have has experienced challenges with the current launcher."

The frustration runs deep enough that gamers have built workarounds. Some use third-party tools to launch games claimed free on Epic through Steam instead, just to avoid opening the Epic client. That's a damning signal for a store that has spent over $1 billion on free games to attract users.

What's changing in Launcher V2?

Epic is not patching the existing code. The company said it is rebuilding the underlying architecture entirely, which explains the "ground-up" language. In a February press release, Epic mentioned plans to "ship improvements this summer," suggesting the private beta could arrive within weeks.

The performance claims are specific: 5x faster average cold start means a launcher that currently takes 10 seconds to load would open in 2 seconds. The 6.5x improvement on tray restoration targets the common workflow where users minimize the launcher and reopen it later.

Beyond speed, Epic's roadmap includes features the store has lacked for years. In-store patch notes would let players see what changed in an update before downloading. Player reviews would add community feedback the store has resisted. Quick-access categories and a personalized home page suggest a shift toward discovery rather than the current billboard approach of promoted titles.

How does this affect Epic's competition with Steam?

Epic has tried to win developers with a 12% revenue share versus Steam's 30%. It has tried to win players with free game giveaways and timed exclusives. But the launcher itself has been a liability, pushing users back toward Steam despite those incentives.

A faster, more capable launcher removes one of the main arguments against the Epic Games Store. It won't change the exclusive strategy debates, but it addresses the baseline complaint that the store simply doesn't work well.

The timing matters. Epic has over 270 million registered users and more than 2,500 games on the store. Converting free-game claimers into active buyers requires a launcher that doesn't make the experience painful.

When will Launcher V2 be available?

Epic's roadmap shows a private beta first, then public release. The February statement mentioned summer 2026 improvements, but Epic has not given a firm date. Given the company's history with launcher promises, users will likely wait for the public beta before passing judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Epic Games Launcher V2 releasing?

Epic said improvements would ship in summer 2026. The new launcher will go through a private beta before public release, but no specific date has been announced.

How much faster will the new Epic launcher be?

Epic claims 5x faster cold start times and 6.5x faster restoration from the system tray compared to the current launcher.

Will the new Epic launcher have player reviews?

Yes. Epic's roadmap includes player reviews, in-store patch notes, quick-access categories, and a personalized home page.

Why is Epic rebuilding the launcher instead of updating it?

Epic is doing a ground-up rebuild of the underlying architecture, suggesting the current codebase couldn't be optimized enough to meet performance targets.

Source: Engadget