#Epic

Epic rebuilds Easy Anti-Cheat to bring Fortnite to Linux, but Steam Deck support is still unclear

Epic announced it is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat as EAC Linux v2 so Fortnite can run on Linux, with no release timeline given yet. The new version will be tested in Fortnite first before opening to other multiplayer games, and existing EAC developers can keep the older implementation. Epic said Steam Deck does not support the features EAC v2 requires and that it is talking with Valve about future support.

Epic says its new Epic Games Launcher preview was vibe coded with AI

Epic Games released a preview of its new Epic Games Launcher and said it was vibe coded with AI because building it the traditional way is too hard. Epic says the launcher has an average cold start of 5.47 seconds, 46% faster than Steam, with snappier navigation and less background load, though the first release is light on features. Epic detailed launcher changes at Unreal Fest in June and claimed version 2 would have a cold start five times faster on average, without mentioning AI at the time.

Epic Games releases preview of new "vibe coded" Epic Games Launcher, claims it's faster than Steam

Epic Games has released a preview version of a new Epic Games Launcher that it says was "vibe coded" and is faster and more responsive than the current one, with a new look. The launcher is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and Epic says it has faster load times and puts less load on your system while running in the background. Epic Games Store general manager Martin Keely said it was rebuilt entirely from the ground up with a completely new tech stack.

New Epic Games Launcher Preview Released

new Epic Games Launcher in preview -

Epic launches a new Epic Games Store launcher preview, claiming it starts 46% faster than Steam

Epic Games Store's rebuilt client is available as a preview download for Windows, macOS, and for the first time Linux. Epic says it halved launcher startup time and reaches the store page 46% faster than Steam, with the technical improvements verified by an external vendor; PC Gamer has not tested it yet. The redesign includes a new library view that can import shortcuts to games installed via Steam and other clients, and Epic describes the client as vibe coded, with store GM Martin Keely confirming AI was used to write new code on a completely new architecture.

Epic Games Launcher preview arrives with library loading 30x faster

Epic released a preview version of a rebuilt Epic Games Launcher, built with AI and vibe coding and still light on features. Epic says it cold-boots in 5.47 seconds, 46% faster than Steam, reopens from the system tray in 0.36 seconds, loads the library 30 times faster than the previous launcher, and takes up 300MB. The new version supports Windows, MacOS and, for the first time, Linux, with Fortnite coming to Linux once Easy Anti-Cheat is rebuilt for the platform.

Blind Descent Launches in Early Access for PC on December 2

META Publishing and developer Pokuch announced that Blind Descent will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG on December 2. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions will follow alongside the full release. The cooperative science-fiction survival game sends up to four pioneers beneath the Martian surface to uncover the fate of a missing crew.

BetaDwarf's Dragon Vault Raiders demo is live on Steam, PvPvE test set for October 15

Dragon Vault Raiders, a multiplayer extraction ARPG from BetaDwarf with Square Enix as global publisher, now has a demo on Steam, with a PvPvE test starting October 15. The demo offers two playable Breakers and two PvE difficulties for solo or co-op play through the first chapter's map and main questline. The PvPvE test adds more Breakers and player-versus-player combat, and the game supports solo and multiplayer PvE as well as PvPvE modes.

DAVE THE DIVER announces final DLC 'Subnautica 2 Content Pack', free in early 2027

MINTROCKET announced 'Subnautica 2 Content Pack', the final DLC for DAVE THE DIVER, made in partnership with Unknown Worlds Entertainment and launching free in early 2027. Players will explore the strange waters of Proteus, with Dave and Bancho traveling interdimensionally to unlock exotic recipes and help new friends while facing periodic Leviathan confrontations. DAVE THE DIVER is available now on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store, iOS, and Android.

Outward 2 launches in Early Access on PC on February 8, 2027

Nine Dots Studio and Nine Dots Publishing announced that Outward 2 will launch in Early Access on February 8, 2027 for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. Players take the role of ordinary adventurers surviving in the world of Aurai, with a full-year seasonal cycle, three starting scenarios and eleven backgrounds, an Exercise passive skill system, ritual spellcasting, and two-player split-screen and online co-op.

Permafrost launches in PC Early Access, opening its survival sandbox

Permafrost, a story-driven survival sandbox from SpaceRocket Games and publisher Toplitz Productions, is now in Early Access on PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store. Players take the role of engineer Rook searching for the missing Icarus in a frozen world after the moon shatters, alone or with up to three friends. The game features dynamic weather, Cold Zones, resource gathering and crafting, shelter networks, and a dog companion that scouts and carries supplies.

ATMOSFAR launches in Early Access on October 29

Publisher Shueisha Games and developer Apog Labs announced that ATMOSFAR will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on October 29. The aerial cooperative survival game supports solo play or up to four players, who scavenge scrap and build and upgrade flying vessels and a mobile airbase among the floating islands of Tycos.

WF2026 Debuts INART's 1:1 Statue of Soul from Phantom Blade Zero

At the WF2026 Shanghai show, INART's booth debuted 1:1 and 1:3 scale statues of Soul, the protagonist of Phantom Blade Zero. Wang Chen, the game's 3D art lead at S-Game, shared more photos on Weibo, saying the statues were supervised internally and refined by INART to recreate the character's weathered look, including skin texture and worn armor and cloth. No release date, pricing, or preorder plans for the statues have been announced, while the game's digital preorders are open on PS5, PS5 Pro, Steam, Epic, WeGame, and TapTap PC ahead of its October 29 global launch.

Halloween Has Officially Started in Fortnite as Hollow Knight and More Join the Game

Fortnitemares has begun in Fortnite, bringing spooky skins to the shop, themed quests, fun items, and many collaborations. Hollow Knight and more are joining the game as part of the Halloween celebration.

Section 9's sci-fi action adventure End of Abyss launches October 1 on Xbox Series X|S

Section 9 Interactive, a small studio founded by three former Tarsier Studios members, announced that its sci-fi action adventure End of Abyss launches October 1 on Xbox Series X|S. Players take the role of young combat technician Cel, descending into an abandoned underground facility to upgrade gear, use a Scanner to explore branching paths, and fight monsters. The team said the game began as a top-down shooter prototype and shifted toward a slower action horror metroidvania focused on exploration and tension, with enemies prototyped in Unreal before their designs were finalized.

Epic confirms Five Nights at Freddy's crossover for Fortnite's Fortnitemares

Epic has confirmed that Five Nights at Freddy's is joining Fortnite for this year's Fortnitemares event. A new trailer shows Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria as a map location, with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy appearing as bosses, and Fortnitemares begins 1st October. The crossover had been rumoured for months, with the pizzeria appearing on the island during Fortnite's Override season.

Kingdom Hearts Comes to Fortnite This Week With Four Skins

Fortnite's latest crossover brings Kingdom Hearts into the battle royale this week, with four skins available in the item shop on Thursday, September 17 as part of Chapter 7, Season 4. Players can wear Sora, Kairi, Riku, and Roxas in their Kingdom Hearts II designs. Epic has not revealed pricing for the skins or any additional accessories they may include.

Huge expansion of social functionality in Epic Games Store & Launcher for PC, Mac, Android, iOS: voice chat with seamless transitions...

Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.8 adds a new mechanic and the game is coming to Steam

HoYoverse announced that Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.8, New Eridan Sunset, launches on May 6 with two new S-Rank Agents, Promeia and Starlight-Billy, plus a new Wind attribute enemy and the Vortex mechanic. The game will also come to Steam, making it HoYoverse's first title on Valve's platform, though no Steam date was given. Version 2.8 is the final chapter of Season 2, with Lucia and Orphie & Magus re-runs, a Marcel Bootopia event and a new Hoshimi Miyabi outfit.

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 launches February 13 with new world Planarcadia and a Fortnite collaboration

HoYoverse announced during its Special Program that Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 arrives February 13, adding the new world Planarcadia and two new 5-Star characters, General Yao Guang and Sparxie. Starting February 26, Kafka and Blade skins join the Fortnite Item Shop, and downloading the game on the Epic Games Store and joining themed activities earns the Blade outfit for free. Players who log in after launch get 20 free pulls and a new outfit for Ruan Mei, while the Yao Guang fortune event offers 1,600 Stellar Jades and a free 5-Star character selector arrives later.