Epic Games Launcher Coming “Soon” to Linux

Following the launch of the Valve Steam Deck, there was a rising tide of sport and software program builders seeking to deliver their merchandise and initiatives to the rising physique of Linux avid gamers. Epic Video games is not any totally different, with the corporate previously revealing in a job listing that it was seeking to increase Straightforward Anti-Cheat help on Linux. Following an announcement that Epic Games was rebuilding its game launcher with a brand new framework that guarantees 5× quicker launch speeds, there has additionally been hypothesis that the Fortnite firm may very well be launching a local Linux model of the Epic Video games Launcher.

Now, as reported by Steam Deck HQ, an Epic Video games worker has revealed in a Discord Q&A {that a} Linux model of the launcher is in improvement and can be launching “quickly,” when requested concerning the risk by a Discord member. This does not truly give anybody a timeline or state of a local Linux model, however it serves as affirmation that Epic Video games is actively engaged on Linux help. It is also an indicator that Epic Video games is beginning to take Linux extra significantly as a gaming platform, regardless of CEO Tim Sweeney’s prior dismissive remarks about Linux.

The Epic worker additionally prompt that the Linux model of the Epic Video games Launcher would have Linux-specific variations and options, commenting that “we have to do greater than merely have a construct of the launcher that may run natively on Linux.” He didn’t increase additional on what this is able to entail, however an inexpensive guess can be a couple of packaging format—one thing like Flatpak can be practically important for correct Steam Deck help—in addition to instruments to handle compatibility layers and presumably even a console view and computerized integration with the Steam shopper for {hardware} just like the Steam Machine and Deck.