Epic Games Launches 'Vibe-Coded' AI Launcher, Boasts Speed Over Steam

Epic Games has unveiled a new version of its Epic Games Launcher that the company openly admits was "vibe coded" using AI, quipping that "programming is hard." Announced via a blog post, the launcher has entered a preview phase and is being touted by Epic as faster than Valve's Steam, with the company explicitly framing the project as a bid to outpace its chief competitor. The new launcher is described as "light on features" but does include at least one long-requested addition: a shopping cart. Notably, the announcement arrives just days after reports surfaced that Epic had imposed an "AI-first" production model on developers working on a new Disney shooter, underscoring the company's aggressive push toward generative AI across its operations.

The reaction from the gaming community has been swift and largely skeptical. Players and commentators have roasted Epic for leaning into the "vibe coding" label, a term that describes the practice of using AI tools to generate code with minimal traditional programming oversight. Critics have raised concerns about what safety and security measures, if any, are in place in the AI-generated launcher, while others have taken aim at Epic's confidence in positioning the tool as a serious rival to Steam. The backlash hasn't slowed Epic's enthusiasm, however, as the company appears to be doubling down on its generative AI strategy across multiple fronts.

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