Epic Games has launched a redesigned Epic Games Store (EGS) launcher, claiming it is faster and more responsive than the previous version. The announcement, however, has been met with criticism due to the company's recent major AI pivot and sweeping layoffs. CEO Tim Sweeney described the old launcher as 'clunky' and stated the new version was 'vibe coded' to improve performance.
This comes just days after Sweeney announced a significant shift toward AI integration across the company, which included cutting 1,000 employees. Critics argue the celebration of 'vibe coding' is tone-deaf given the layoffs. The new launcher is available on Linux for the first time and can access games installed via Steam.
However, it lacks unique features not already offered by competitors like Steam or GOG. Many users remain hesitant to support a company prioritizing AI over its workforce.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing