Epic’s new Games Launcher preview was ‘vibe coded’ with AI — and runs on Linux

Epic Games is shipping a preview of a rebuilt Epic Games Launcher today — faster, with a new look, and for the first time on Linux as well as Windows and Mac, The Verge reports. In its own post Epic quipped that programming is hard, so the team “vibe coded” the new launcher instead.

How much AI was involved

Martin Keely, VP and GM of the Epic Games Store and Epic Online Services, told The Verge that AI was used as a tool: it helped with testing and replicating core functionality from the existing launcher, and that work also unlocked the Linux build. Epic has been on the project for most of this year. Agents wrote and reviewed code, Keely said, but the team managed and supervised the whole process — they did not adopt the “no more hand-written code” stance Bloomberg reported on an unannounced Disney title.

That distinction matters in a week when CEO Tim Sweeney announced a company-wide “huge pivot” toward AI acceleration, aiming to ship more and better work rather than simply cut headcount. Keely framed the launcher as evidence that the direction can improve both development speed and the product users get.

Linux launcher and Fortnite

Alongside the Linux preview, Epic says it plans to bring Fortnite to Linux through the app. The current launcher remains available; there is no hard date for forcing everyone onto the new one. Keely said the full cutover will happen when the update feels stable and has parity where Epic needs it.

Epic published internal speed comparisons for the refresh; independent benchmarks are not in The Verge’s report, so treat those as company claims for now.

The takeaway for PC players: try the preview if you want speed and Linux support, keep the classic launcher if you need every existing quirk, and watch for when Epic declares parity complete.