Epic is working on a 'ground-up rebuild' of its launcher that will be 5x faster

At a glance:

• Epic Games is rebuilding its launcher from scratch, promising 5x faster cold starts and 6.5x quicker app restoration.
• A private beta will launch before the public release, with improvements expected by summer.
• New features include in-store patch notes, player reviews, and a personalized home page.

What happened

Epic Games is tackling longstanding performance issues with its PC gaming launcher through a complete architectural overhaul. During Unreal Fest, the company revealed that Launcher V2 represents a "ground-up rebuild" designed to address user frustrations that have plagued the platform since its launch.

An Epic executive acknowledged to Eurogamer earlier this year that the existing launcher "sucks," prompting this major redesign effort. The new version will dramatically improve startup times, with cold starts running five times faster on average compared to the current iteration. Even more significant is the 6.5x speed improvement when restoring the app from the system tray—a common user interaction.

These performance gains stem from rebuilding the underlying architecture rather than patching existing systems. Epic stated in a February press release that the company is "in the process of rebuilding the underlying architecture of the Epic Games Store Launcher and plan to ship improvements this summer."

Why it matters

The current launcher's sluggish performance has become a running joke among gamers, with many going to extreme measures to avoid it. Users have been known to access their free Epic Games Store titles through Steam to bypass the slow and clunky interface. This workaround highlights how the launcher's design has actively harmed the user experience and platform adoption.

For Epic, improving the launcher is crucial for competing with Steam, which dominates PC gaming distribution. A faster, more responsive interface could help retain users within the Epic ecosystem and make the platform more attractive for exclusive titles. The company's ability to deliver on these performance promises will be closely watched by both players and industry observers.

Roadmap and features

The path to the new launcher involves a staged rollout beginning with a private beta. While Epic hasn't specified exact dates, the roadmap presented at Unreal Fest outlines this phased approach before the eventual public release. This cautious deployment strategy allows the company to iron out issues with a smaller user group first.

Beyond raw performance, Launcher V2 introduces several user-facing enhancements. The presentation slides, shared by LuKaOnIndeed on X, highlighted priorities including in-store patch notes for game updates, player reviews to aid purchasing decisions, quick-access categories for easier navigation, and a personalized home page tailored to individual preferences.

These additions suggest Epic is thinking beyond just speed—aiming to create a more engaging and informative storefront experience. The combination of technical improvements and feature additions positions Launcher V2 as a potential turning point for the Epic Games Store's user interface.

What to watch next

Users eager to try the new launcher will need to wait for the private beta to begin. Epic's timeline suggests improvements will ship "this summer," though the company has yet to announce specific dates for beta enrollment or public availability.

The success of Launcher V2 could influence other platform developers and set new expectations for PC gaming store performance. If Epic delivers on its promises, it may pressure competitors to accelerate their own interface modernization efforts.

Gamers should also keep an eye on how the new features integrate with existing Epic services. The personalized home page and player reviews could become key differentiators, especially if they leverage data from Epic's growing library of exclusive titles and free game promotions.