Epic Games unveils new launcher 'vibe coded' to be faster than the competition
Epic Games has released a preview version of its redesigned launcher. In an unusual announcement, the company claimed the update was "vibe coded" to make it "faster than the other guy."
The official announcement from Epic Games, along with their social media posts, adopted a remarkably informal tone. The company stated that "programming is hard," and instead of traditional methods, they opted for "vibe coding" to create a more responsive experience. Using a nautical metaphor, they described the new launcher as a "speedboat" rather than a "yacht"—a clear jab at Steam—while noting that essential features like a shopping cart remain intact.
While the term "vibe coding" is unconventional, the technical overhaul appears significant. In an interview with IGN, Epic Games Store general manager Martin Keely explained that the launcher has been completely rebuilt from the ground up on a new tech stack. This rewrite covers the entire shell—including the download manager, library, and the application itself—as well as the store architecture, such as product detail and discovery pages.
The new launcher is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Key promised improvements include:
- faster load times;
- reduced system resource usage when running in the background;
- streamlined game discovery and information access;
- interface customization options.
This release aligns with a broader strategic push toward AI integration. Earlier this year, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney emphasized the company's goal of achieving "maximum AI acceleration" within their development workflows.