Epic Games releases rebuilt store preview with Linux support
Epic Games has released a preview of its rebuilt Epic Games Store client for Windows and Mac, introducing Linux support for the very first time.
External Party Verifies Faster Application Startup Times
Gamereactor Norge reported that the company claims the new application reaches the store page from a cold start 46% faster than Steam, while its own startup time has been cut in half, though the client remains in a testing phase. The technical performance improvements have been verified by an external third party, according to Epic, though PC Gamer noted it had not independently tested the client prior to publication.
Fresh Architecture Built Without Legacy Code
Martin Keely, general manager of the Epic Games Store, explained to PC Gamer that the team built the store and the client itself on an entirely new architecture rather than reusing legacy code.
Maximal AI Acceleration at Epic Games
Keely told the publication that artificial intelligence tools were used to write and review new features in a separate technology stack. Epic has officially designated the project as AI-assisted development. This initiative forms part of a broader push toward what chief executive officer Tim Sweeney describes as maximal AI acceleration across the entire company.
Interface Allows Shortcuts for Competing Platforms
The redesigned interface features an updated library view alongside functionality allowing users to add shortcuts for games installed via Steam and competing platforms.
Epic Upgrades Anti-Cheat to Support Linux
Alongside the client release, Epic is working to upgrade Easy Anti-Cheat to support Fortnite on Linux. The company is also assisting other multiplayer titles with making the transition to the platform, though officials have not announced a completion date for this work. The preview build is currently available for download from the official Epic website. The company anticipates that its user base will expand gradually as development teams gather telemetry, process user feedback, and deploy bug fixes.