Epic Games Launcher Coming to SteamOS, Expanding Linux Support

Great news for Linux gamers! Epic Games has officially announced that its popular Epic Games Launcher is coming to SteamOS. This development follows up on Epic's earlier exploration into making its hit game, Fortnite, compatible with Valve's Linux-based operating system.

While the Epic Games Launcher was initially in preview and didn't specifically list SteamOS as a supported distribution, Communications Director Jake Jones has now confirmed its upcoming compatibility. This expansion isn't limited to just SteamOS; Jones also mentioned plans to support a range of other Linux distributions, including Fedora, Cachy, and Omarchy.

This is a big step forward for the PC gaming community on Linux. Historically, accessing the vast library of PC games available through launchers like Epic's has been a challenge for Linux users. The move to support SteamOS, which is developed by Valve (the creators of Steam), is particularly significant. It suggests a closer collaboration and a stronger commitment to making PC gaming more accessible across different platforms.

The confirmation came in response to questions about the launcher's packaging format, with Jones indicating a shift from AppImage to Debian/Ubuntu .deb downloads for broader compatibility. This strategic move by Epic Games is likely to be welcomed by the Linux gaming community, potentially opening the door for more developers to bring their titles to the platform. We'll be keeping an eye on how this develops, and of course, we'll let you know when you can get your hands on the Epic Games Launcher on SteamOS!