Epic Games Store Roadmap Promises 5x Faster Boot Times, User Reviews, and More  

The Epic Games Store volition soon person galore long-requested features and a large launcher redesign if a recently revealed roadmap pans retired accordingly.

Epic Games outlined adjacent steps for the aboriginal of its PC integer storefront during a presumption astatine Unreal Fest successful Chicago earlier this week. Slides shared online by X/Twitter idiosyncratic @LuKaOnIndeed diagnostic highlights from Epic's goals for the adjacent 12 months arsenic it seeks to redesign the store for gamers and developers alike (via VGC).

It's a long, agelong database of slug points, including "up first" highlights similar Fortnite chunked installation, third-party spot notes, pre-registration for free-to-play games, storefront rearchitecture, room absorption improvements, and different features that are expected to get for Epic Games Store sooner alternatively than later. Some of its "up next" updates, which look somewhat further off, see subordinate profiles and avatars, user-written reviews, publisher-funded coupons, and hunt improvements.

It's unclear if Epic intends to rotation retired these caller Epic Games Store features successful waves, and determination is nary circumstantial merchandise day for immoderate peculiar update oregon the storefront redesign. Still, things similar idiosyncratic reviews and third-party spot notes could spell a agelong mode for users who person been hesitant to commencement purchasing their PC games with the Fortnite maker.

Epic Games Store launched successful 2018 arsenic Epic's ain instrumentality connected a PC gaming hub. It has attempted to entice some developers and gamers with the committedness of offerings similar exclusive games, escaped cross-platform online services, and escaped games for users.

"As a developer ourselves, we person ever wanted a level with large economics that connects america straight with our players," Epic laminitis and CEO Tim Sweeney said astatine the time. "Thanks to the occurrence of Fortnite, we present person this and are acceptable to stock it with different developers."

However, the Epic Games Store seems to person struggled to basal toe-to-toe with Steam since its launch. In 2021, it was reported that the institution had mislaid hundreds of millions of dollars to exclusivity deals alone. Court documents revealed successful 2023 that Epic had failed to marque its store profitable 5 years post-launch.

One happening that's kept galore from adopting Epic into their gaming lives is features they consciousness should person been included astatine launch. Some person arrived successful the years since, with adjacent much promised successful today's 12-month roadmap. One descent from the aforementioned Unreal Fest presumption besides promised that this "ground-up rebuild" for the launcher volition effect successful a five-times faster acold start.

"Every developer successful this country and each subordinate we person has experienced challenges with the existent launcher," the descent added. "It's clip for a change."

IGN interviewed VP and GM of the Epic Games Store, Steve Allison, earlier this twelvemonth to cheque successful with the squad and larn astir its future. For much portion we hold to spot erstwhile and however these caller redesign changes volition beryllium implemented, you tin work wherefore immoderate deliberation the Epic Games Store volition ne'er beryllium arsenic bully arsenic Steam.

Michael Cripe is simply a freelance writer with IGN. He's champion known for his enactment astatine sites similar The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be definite to springiness him a travel connected Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).