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Epic says its new vibe-coded Epic Games Launcher is faster than Steam
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Epic Games has unveiled a new Preview build of its Epic Games Launcher, claiming it is faster and more responsive than Valve's Steam. The company announced on October 14, 2026, that the launcher was "vibe coded" using AI tools, a playful term for AI-assisted programming. Epic says the new launcher was built from scratch to outperform its long-time rival. This marks a significant shift in how the Fortnite maker develops its software.
Nearly eight years after Epic launched its Game Store and launcher to challenge Steam's dominance, the competition remains fierce. Epic has used free games and exclusive titles to attract users, but its launcher has often been criticized for sluggish performance and a clunky interface. The new vibe-coded version represents Epic's latest attempt to gain an edge. By starting from scratch, the team aimed to replicate existing functionality without inheriting old code.
Martin Keely, General Manager and VP of the Epic Games Store, told PC Gamer that the team used AI as "a tool to write and review new features and new capabilities from the ground up in a different tech stack." The goal was to "look at functionality that existed and replicate that, but not the code itself." The new launcher supports Windows and Mac, with a Linux version planned. Epic's social media post stresses that the launcher is "faster than the other guy."
Vibe coding, which involves using AI to generate code from natural language prompts, allowed a small team to rewrite the codebase efficiently. Keely told IGN that AI "made us more efficient and allowed a small team to rewrite the code base and be able to launch it faster across platforms." The new tech stack focuses on speed and responsiveness. Ars Technica's testing confirms a cold start to the store page is a few seconds faster than Steam.
This update affects millions of Epic Games users who have endured a slow launcher. A faster, more responsive experience could improve user satisfaction and retention. For Epic, a better launcher might attract more players to its store, increasing competition with Steam. Developers and publishers on the Epic Games Store could also benefit from a smoother platform.
The gaming community has reacted with a mix of intrigue and skepticism. Some praise Epic for embracing AI and innovation, while others question whether vibe coding can produce robust, secure software. Analysts note that while speed improvements are welcome, the claimed 0.06-second difference in restoring from the system tray to the Library screen is imperceptible. PC Gamer and IGN have highlighted Keely's comments, sparking discussions about AI's role in game development.
Epic plans to continue refining the launcher based on user feedback from the Preview build. The Linux version is in development, which could expand its reach to a new audience. If successful, this vibe-coded approach might be adopted for other Epic products. The company is likely to emphasize performance as a key differentiator against Steam.
The use of AI in software development is growing, with companies leveraging tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT to accelerate coding. Epic's move reflects a broader trend of AI-assisted programming in the tech industry. However, it also raises questions about code quality, security, and the future of human developers. As AI becomes more integrated, the gaming industry may see more "vibe-coded" projects.
