Epic says its new vibe-coded Epic Games Launcher is faster than Steam

Key Points:

• Epic Games has launched a new "vibe coded" Preview build of its Epic Games Launcher, aiming to be faster and more responsive than the current version and rival Steam's performance.
• The new launcher was developed from scratch using AI tools to write and review code, enabling a small team to rebuild the platform more efficiently and support Windows, Mac, and upcoming Linux versions.
• Epic claims the new launcher achieves significantly faster cold start times, with independent testing confirming quicker load times than Steam, though some feature improvements remain minor or subtle.
• The Preview version currently lacks full feature parity with the legacy launcher, missing certain social and account management functions, but adds user-requested features like a Recent Games list and a centralized downloads hub.
• This release aligns with Epic's broader strategic pivot toward AI-first development, as announced by CEO Tim Sweeney, aiming to enhance productivity and innovation across its projects, including upcoming titles based on Star Wars and Marvel.