Epic Games Launcher is Coming to Linux: Official Support Planned
Epic Games is officially expanding its reach into the Linux ecosystem. According to recent statements from the company, the Epic Games Launcher is being developed for official availability on SteamOS and several other Linux distributions, marking a significant shift in how users will access the Epic Games Store on non-Windows platforms.
The move was confirmed by Jake Jones, Communications Director at Epic Games, in a discussion with GamingOnLinux. The company's goal is to make the launcher available across as many Linux distributions as possible. Currently, the project is in a preview phase, where Epic is testing various package formats and distribution methods. A final decision regarding the specific release roadmap for each individual distribution has not yet been made.
Distribution Formats and Package Testing
The development of the Linux version has seen several iterations. Since October 2026, a revised version of the Epic Games Launcher has existed for Linux, initially offered as an AppImage—a format designed to run independently of the specific distribution. While Epic recently transitioned to a DEB package, primarily targeting Debian and Ubuntu-based systems, Jones indicated that the AppImage format is expected to return in November. Whether the company will release native packages for other specific distributions remains an open question.
There is also ongoing discussion regarding a Flatpak release. This format is particularly relevant for SteamOS users, as it allows applications to be installed via the Discover software center without modifying the largely read-only base system. However, Epic has not yet officially announced a Flatpak version or a release on Flathub.
The Current Linux Workaround Landscape
Until an official solution arrives, the Linux community has relied on several established workarounds to access the Epic Games Store. The open-source Heroic Games Launcher is currently the most popular option, providing access to both Epic and GOG libraries. Additionally, users often utilize Lutris to manage and run games. Meanwhile, Epic is also working on updates to the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) security architecture, which is a crucial step toward enabling titles like Fortnite to run natively on SteamOS.
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