Epic Games is officially working toward bringing a native version of the Epic Games Store launcher to Linux, potentially marking a major expansion for the company’s PC gaming platform. An Epic employee has confirmed that development work is underway to make the launcher run natively on Linux. However, Linux users should not expect to get their hands on it immediately, as the company says the native launcher will not be included in the upcoming preview release.
Epic Games Store is being developed for Linux
The confirmation indicates that Epic is actively working on native Linux support rather than simply relying on compatibility solutions designed to run the existing Windows application.
According to the information shared by the Epic employee, however, creating a Linux build of the launcher itself is only one part of the process.
The development team still needs to make sure that the Epic Games Store launcher behaves correctly across the platform before releasing it publicly. This means additional development, testing and optimization will be necessary before Epic considers the Linux version ready for users.
Linux version won’t arrive with the next preview
Anyone hoping that Linux support could arrive alongside the next preview version of the Epic Games Store launcher will have to wait longer.
Epic has confirmed that the native Linux launcher will not be part of that upcoming preview release. No specific release date or launch window for the Linux version was provided in the information currently available.
The company’s comments suggest that development remains ongoing and that Epic does not want to release the Linux client until it can provide an experience that works properly on the operating system.
A significant step for Linux gaming
A native Epic Games Store launcher could represent an important development for PC gaming on Linux.
While Linux players have alternative methods for accessing some games associated with the Epic Games Store, an officially supported native launcher would give Epic direct control over the experience and potentially make accessing the storefront considerably more straightforward for Linux users.
However, several questions remain unanswered, including how game compatibility will be handled and whether every feature available through the Windows launcher will eventually be supported on Linux.
Epic has not provided those details in the information currently available.
Epic is expanding beyond Windows
The confirmation nevertheless signals that Linux has become important enough for Epic Games to invest resources into dedicated launcher support.
Instead of simply compiling the existing software for another operating system, the company says additional work is necessary to ensure that the launcher functions correctly on Linux before release.
For now, Linux players will need to continue waiting. But for the first time, there is confirmation that a native Epic Games Store launcher for the platform is actively being worked on.
FAQ
Is Epic Games Store coming to Linux?
Epic Games is working on a native version of its Epic Games Store launcher for Linux.
When will the Epic Games Store launcher launch on Linux?
Epic has not provided a confirmed release date based on the information currently available.
Will the Linux launcher be included in the next Epic Games Store preview?
No. An Epic employee confirmed that native Linux support will not be included in the upcoming preview release.
Will the Epic Games Store launcher run natively on Linux?
That is the plan. Epic is working specifically on making the launcher operate natively on Linux.
Why is the Linux version taking longer?
According to Epic, the work involves more than simply creating a Linux build. The team also needs to ensure that the launcher functions properly on the platform before releasing it.
