TL;DR
Epic Games is developing a complete rebuild of its launcher, promising significantly faster load times. The new Launcher V2 will undergo private testing before a public release, aiming to improve user experience.
Epic Games is developing a complete, ground-up rebuild of its launcher, promising performance improvements that will make it five times faster on cold start and 6.5 times faster when restoring from the system tray.
During Unreal Fest, Epic Games announced that its current launcher is being replaced with Launcher V2, which will feature a new architecture designed to significantly improve speed and responsiveness. The company stated that the new launcher will undergo a private beta before a planned public release, though no specific dates have been provided.
Epic’s presentation highlighted that the existing launcher has been a source of frustration for both developers and players, with some users resorting to accessing their Epic Games Store titles through Steam to avoid slow load times. The new launcher aims to address these issues with a redesigned backend, promising a fivefold increase in speed during cold starts and a 6.5-fold improvement when restoring the app from the system tray.
In addition to performance upgrades, Epic plans to introduce new features to its storefront, including in-store patch notes, player reviews, quick access categories, and a personalized homepage, as part of its broader effort to enhance user experience.
Impact of Faster Launcher on Epic Users and Developers
The development of Launcher V2 is significant because it directly addresses longstanding complaints about Epic’s launcher performance, which has impacted user satisfaction and engagement. Faster load times can improve the overall experience for players and developers, potentially increasing retention and reducing frustration. Additionally, the planned feature updates could make the storefront more competitive with other digital distribution platforms, influencing how users interact with Epic’s ecosystem.
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Background of Epic Launcher Improvements
Epic Games has faced criticism over the performance of its launcher, which has been described as slow and clunky. Earlier this year, an Epic executive acknowledged these issues publicly, admitting that the launcher ‘sucks’ and highlighting the need for a major overhaul. In February, Epic announced it was rebuilding the underlying architecture of the Epic Games Store Launcher, with plans to deliver improvements during the summer.
The upcoming Launcher V2 is part of this ongoing effort, with Epic emphasizing that the new version will be a complete rebuild rather than an incremental update. The company also revealed plans to enhance its storefront features, aiming to provide a more streamlined and user-friendly experience.
“The new launcher will be five times faster on an average cold start and 6.5 times faster when restoring from the system tray.”
— an anonymous Epic Games spokesperson
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Remaining Details on Launch Timeline and Features
It is not yet clear when Launcher V2 will be publicly available, as Epic has not provided specific release dates. Details about the scope of features in the initial public release and the final performance benchmarks are still emerging. Additionally, the exact timeline for the rollout of storefront improvements alongside the new launcher remains uncertain.
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Upcoming Steps for Epic’s New Launcher Rollout
Epic plans to conduct a private beta of Launcher V2 before opening it to the public. The company has indicated that further details and specific release dates will be announced closer to the beta testing phase. Users and developers should watch for updates from Epic regarding the beta schedule and subsequent public release, as well as any additional storefront enhancements.
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Key Questions
When will the new Epic Games Launcher be available to the public?
Epic has not yet announced specific dates for the public release of Launcher V2. A private beta is planned first, with further details to be shared later.
How much faster will the new launcher be compared to the current version?
Epic claims that Launcher V2 will be five times faster on an average cold start and 6.5 times faster when restoring from the system tray.
What new features will the updated launcher include?
In addition to performance improvements, Epic plans to add storefront features such as in-store patch notes, player reviews, quick access categories, and a personalized homepage.
Will the new launcher affect existing games or user data?
Details about migration or compatibility are not yet confirmed, but Epic has indicated that the rebuild is focused on backend architecture improvements, which should not negatively impact existing games or user data.
Why has Epic decided to rebuild the launcher from scratch?
Epic recognized that the current launcher has performance issues and user dissatisfaction, prompting a complete rebuild aimed at delivering faster load times and a better user experience.
Source: Engadget
