Epic Games Unveils Launcher V2 with Up to 6.5x Speed Boost and New Features

Epic Games has officially unveiled its roadmap for the development of its gaming launcher over the next year. During the Unreal Fest event, the company announced the second version of the Epic Games Launcher, positioning it as a full-fledged competitor to Steam. The primary focus is on improving platform performance and expanding functionality.

Key enhancements include a revamped store with personalized game recommendations based on user preferences. The new version of the launcher is claimed to launch up to 5 times faster from a cold start and up to 6.5 times faster when restoring from the system tray. However, these figures were obtained on high-performance hardware, which may not reflect real-world performance on standard PCs.

Epic Games Launcher V2 will introduce expanded player profiles with avatars and activity history, as well as a review system allowing users to leave text-based feedback. Developers will be able to publish patch notes directly in the store, and a new notification system will keep players informed about updates. Universal controller support, similar to Steam Input, is also expected.

The roadmap is divided into three phases: "Up First," "Up Next," and "On Deck." In the near future, cross-region gifting and Fortnite’s block-based installation will be introduced, along with the start of closed beta testing for the new launcher version. A public beta will follow later, with final features such as controller support and community tools expected by the end of the year.

Epic Games aims to create a more competitive platform that can attract users through speed, convenience, and new capabilities. If all promises are fulfilled, this could significantly impact the digital gaming platform market.