Epic Games is replacing its current launcher software with a new version called Launcher V2. The company announced this ground-up rebuild during Unreal Fest to address long-standing performance issues. Developers and players have cited slow loading times and unresponsive interfaces as major pain points. This overhaul aims to fix those friction points by rewriting the application from scratch.
New software architecture eliminates backend refresh delays for quicker navigation
The new launcher targets a fivefold reduction in cold start boot times compared to the existing version. Steven Allison, the vice president of the Epic Games Store, previously acknowledged that the old software was sluggish. He noted that the current launcher makes frequent calls to backend services, causing delays when users click through menus. The new architecture seeks to eliminate these unnecessary network requests to speed up navigation.
Planned features for Launcher V2 include a complete storefront rearchitecture and in-store patch notes for games. The update will introduce cross-region gifting capabilities and chunked installation options specifically for Fortnite. These technical changes are designed to make game management and purchasing smoother for users. The company also plans to add player profiles, avatars, and user-written reviews to improve social interaction.
Search functionality will receive significant improvements to help users find titles more quickly within the store. Long-term strategy documents suggest the store may eventually expand to other platforms like Xbox Project Helix. Universal controller support is also part of the broader vision for the platform. Epic Games confirmed that these changes are necessary to modernize the user experience and retain its developer base.
Source: VideoGameChronicles
