Epic Games Launcher getting ground-up rebuild for 5x faster performance
▼ Summary
– Epic Games is rebuilding its “clunky” Epic Games Launcher from the ground up, aiming for a major performance boost.
– Based on internal testing, Launcher V2 will offer a cold start time that is on average 5x faster and a system tray restore that is 6.5x faster.
– The overhaul addresses current delays caused by heavy backend service calls when users navigate between sections.
– A private beta for Launcher V2 is “Up First” on the roadmap, with a public release listed as “Up Next,” but no specific timeframes were provided.
– Upcoming store features include in-store patch notes, cross-region gifting, user profiles, avatars, written reviews, and improved search.
Epic Games is finally giving its long-criticized launcher the overhaul it desperately needs. During Unreal Fest in Chicago this week, the company confirmed that a complete ground-up rebuild of the Epic Games Launcher is in active development, aiming to deliver a 5x faster cold start time compared to the current version.
For years, players have voiced frustration with what many describe as a sluggish and cumbersome interface. Even Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney acknowledged last year that the launcher feels “clunky.” Now, the company is moving beyond simple patches. Internal testing for what is being called Epic Games Launcher V2 shows an average cold start improvement of five times, while restoring from the system tray is reportedly 6.5x faster.
The root of the problem, according to Epic Games Store Vice President Steven Allison, lies in the current architecture. He explained earlier this year that the launcher makes excessive backend service calls every time a user navigates between sections, causing noticeable delays that vary based on internet connection quality. The rebuild tackles this by replacing the underlying framework entirely, rather than applying surface-level fixes.
Epic’s roadmap places the V2 Private Beta as the next major milestone, followed by the V2 Public Release. While no specific release dates were shared during the presentation, the company is clearly prioritizing this overhaul alongside other storefront improvements. Upcoming features include in-store patch notes, cross-region gifting, and chunked installation support for Fortnite, which should make managing large game downloads much smoother.
Looking further ahead, Epic plans to introduce a range of community-focused tools after the public launch. These include player profiles, avatars, written user reviews, improved search functionality, and a refined overall store design. For a platform that has grown significantly through free games and exclusive titles, this rebuild signals a serious commitment to fixing the user experience that has long been its weakest link.
(Source: Pcguide.com)
