Epic claims new AI-built launcher cuts cold start time to 5.47 seconds

A 46% reduction in wait time is the headline metric Epic Games is promoting for its newly previewed launcher. The company states that this rebuilt application, which it says was largely written by artificial intelligence, achieves a cold start speed of 5.47 seconds. By comparison, the benchmark places Steam at 10.07 seconds. These figures are currently available for testing on Windows and macOS platforms.

Internal performance gains highlighted

Beyond the external competition, Epic reports significant improvements relative to its previous software version. The new client allegedly loads the library 30 times faster and opens the store interface three times quicker than the old launcher. Steven Allison, head of the Epic Games Store, acknowledged in February that the legacy client suffered from excessive server calls during tab switching, contributing to its poor reputation among users.

Methodology and feature limitations noted

The performance data originates from a study conducted by Keywords Studios, a vendor engaged by Epic, as reported by VideoCardz. This assessment covered 13 machines, excluding the three weakest performers, and focused solely on cold start metrics. A separate analysis by CTOL Digital observed that restoring the application from the system tray results in a negligible difference of just 0.06 seconds. Engadget notes that the current preview lacks new features compared to rivals like Steam or GOG, offering only a basic shopping cart functionality without a confirmed release date for the final product.

AI integration across company projects

Epic describes its development method as "vibe coding," where developers specify requirements and an AI model generates the majority of the code. CEO Tim Sweeney has supported the shift away from hand-written programming. Bloomberg previously reported that Epic’s upcoming Marvel and Star Wars titles aim to contain no manually written code, while the Disney shooter project was delayed to align with an "AI-first" strategy.

Linux support and future rollout details

This preview marks the first official Linux iteration of the Epic launcher. Thurrott indicates that Fortnite’s availability on Linux relies on a rebuilt version of Easy Anti-Cheat, Epic’s proprietary detection software. No timeline has been established for either the anti-cheat update or the general release. Pricing structures and regional rollout plans remain unannounced, although the launcher itself has historically been free to use.