A Rosier Future for Linux Gamers? Epic Games Announces Linux Version of Its Storefront (pcguide.com)
- Reference: 0185011692
- News link: https://linux.slashdot.org/story/26/08/17/0331227/a-rosier-future-for-linux-gamers-epic-games-announces-linux-version-of-its-storefront
- Source link: https://www.pcguide.com/news/epic-games-store-to-get-an-official-linux-version-which-could-mean-a-native-app-for-steam-deck-and-machine/
> The confirmation came during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on the Epic Games Store's community Discord server. When a user asked whether Epic had any plans for a Linux version of its launcher, an Epic staff member confirmed that it is coming "soon(TM)" in emoji form. Of course, that is far from confirming any kind of date, but it is official confirmation of a Linux version nonetheless.
"On top of that, Nvidia's GeForce Now [cloud gaming] app for Linux is also official, having emerged from beta," [2]writes TechRadar , calling it all part of "a rosier future for Linux gamers."
> And while it's not related to gaming, OpenAI's ["preview"] release of a ChatGPT app for Linux is another [3]milestone for the platform ... OpenAI said: "Linux has been one of the most-requested platforms for the desktop app, and this launch extends ChatGPT and Codex across every major desktop operating system." The Epic Games Store arriving natively is great news for gamers running Linux — including SteamOS — as it means a much more convenient way of playing games from the store, as opposed to the current situation with fudging and workarounds (using a third-party app such as the Heroic Games Launcher)...
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> Epic's own Fortnite doesn't work on Linux (and that's down to Epic actively blocking the game from running due to [4]issues around cheating , which remains a source of controversy). Given the apparent changing attitude here with its launcher being ported over, maybe Epic will reverse course on Fortnite eventually. Some gamers on Reddit are highly skeptical about that possibility though, and as one [5]doubting Redditor put it : "I wouldn't hold my breath."
[1] https://www.pcguide.com/news/epic-games-store-to-get-an-official-linux-version-which-could-mean-a-native-app-for-steam-deck-and-machine/
[2] https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/epic-games-store-is-going-to-support-linux-soon-and-thats-great-news-for-steam-deck-owners
[3] https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/11/openai-launches-chatgpt-desktop-app-for-linux/
[4] https://www.techradar.com/news/steam-deck-wont-run-fortnite-epic-confirms
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1vo190f/comment/p3lwu5g/
The storefront not the games? (Score:2)
There's no mention of them delivering the native linux versions of games that have it is there? They just want to get on the steam decks/steam machines where there's a working Wine.
By the way, has the Epic store discovered the shopping cart yet?
Re: (Score:2)
So long as they say plays on Linux, be that wine or native, it puts some "supported"-like element into it. I think that's really what matters as it makes people a bit more confident in using Linux as a daily OS.
Which is good as it has better everything.
Which Epic games is that? (Score:3)
Is that the same Epic games that bought Rocket League and then proceeded abandon the native Linux version leaving people who have paid for and happily played the game for years under Linux unable to do so despite the game still being fully supported?
Is it the Epic games who used to release a Linux build of Unreal tournament only to drop support for that?
Or is that the Epic games which manages one of the most popular games on the planet, Fortnite which supports Windows, MacOs, Android, iOs, PS, Xbox and ... not Linux?
Maybe it's the Epic games run by a CEO Tim Sweeny who publicly despises Linux?
But maybe they've changed. They have said they will support Linux. The company which has a long long long long long list of broken promises about the Epic Games Store, such as friends chat (promised 5 years ago), user reviews (on the roadmap since 2019), forums (on the roadmap since 2019), and unified mod support (implemented so half arsed that no developer bothered) will totally pinkie swear that this time you can trust them when they say something like they will support Linux.
I'm sure they'll get around to it just after they finish building the fast and efficient Epic Games Store *rolleyes*, you know, because according to Tim Sweeney Steam was bloated and slow ... only for EGS to take up a shitton of more resources and end up being the most resource hogging launcher on Windows.
They do have one thing going for them, being a shitty electron overlay to a web interface it should be trivial to support EGS on Linux, for all the people who love the native game compatibility and GPU driver support of Linux but really miss the bloated shit of Windows, it'll be the perfect store.
EPIC is hypocritical (Score:3)
They say they want alternate app stores on iOS, Android and game consoles yet when there is a real alternative that's already available they say "oh no people will cheat". Make up your mind, either you want alternatives or not and release Fortnite on Linux if you really believe in freedom.
Re: (Score:2)
EAC supports Linux both for first party developers and via Proton. The "people will cheat" is a bullshit excuse.
WTF for ? (Score:2)
Why is there a need for a 'Linux' storefront. The front-end should be web and OS neutral. Just sell, AND SUPPORT, for more than a week, something. Epic will spout shit and go on their merry way happily fsck'n customers, just as always.
Great! (Score:2)
Now i can never play freely played epic games on linux as well!
YOTLD (Score:1)
Are you fuckin ready?