Tim Sweeney, the founder and president of Epic Games, recently participated in an extensive interview with Lex Fridman, where he discussed various topics, including the development of Unreal Engine 6. A significant portion of the dialogue focused on the Epic Games Launcher, which frequently faces scrutiny when compared to Steam, Valve’s established gaming platform.
Addressing Criticisms of the Epic Games Launcher
Sweeney acknowledged the launcher’s shortcomings, admitting, “I think one of the reasons that people characterize the Epic Games launcher as clunky is because the Epic Games launcher is clunky and we need to improve this.” He emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience, particularly in terms of quality of life features, which have not received adequate attention relative to commercial functionalities.
He contrasted Epic’s development journey with that of Steam, stating, “Steam has 15 years of built-up work by many of the best programmers in the whole industry.” The vast experience and larger team behind Steam have allowed it to develop a more robust platform. Sweeney noted that Epic has had to make tough choices regarding features, often prioritizing commercial options, such as various game editions and merchandising opportunities, over user-oriented improvements.
Moreover, he pointed out that launcher performance varies based on users’ proximity to a content delivery network (CDN) and the size of their game library. Some users experience seamless performance, while others face significant lag, contributing to negative feedback. Sweeney remarked, “One thing it took us a while to realize was it’s not uniform,” acknowledging that improvements are needed to ensure a consistent experience for all users.
While he recognized the initial clunkiness of the Steam client in its earlier stages, it is important to note that the Epic Games Launcher, which debuted in December 2018, is no longer in its infancy. Despite the progress made, there remain substantial opportunities for enhancement within the client.