What is the Epic Launcher and Why You Need It
Epic Launcher: A Review of the PC Game Store and Launcher
If you are a PC gamer, you have probably heard of Epic Launcher, the game store and launcher that is competing with Steam, the dominant platform in this space. But what exactly is Epic Launcher, what are its pros and cons, and are there any alternatives to it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, so you can decide whether Epic Launcher is worth your time and money.
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What is Epic Launcher?
A brief introduction to the Epic Games Store and Launcher
Epic Launcher is the official name of the application that allows you to access the Epic Games Store, a digital marketplace for PC games. The Epic Games Store was launched in 2018 by Epic Games, the developer and publisher of popular games such as Fortnite, Unreal Tournament, and Gears of War. The store offers a curated selection of games from various genres and developers, as well as some exclusive titles that are only available on the platform.
The main features of Epic Launcher
Some of the features that Epic Launcher offers are:
Downloading and installing games from the Epic Games Store
Updating games automatically or manually
Launching games with online authentication and cloud saves
Importing and exporting games from or to other launchers
Accessing resources and tools for Unreal Engine developers
Pros and Cons of Epic Launcher
The advantages of using Epic Launcher
Exclusive games and free games
One of the main attractions of Epic Launcher is that it offers some exclusive games that you cannot find on other platforms. For example, you can play Borderlands 3, Metro Exodus, Alan Wake Remastered, Saints Row reboot, or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on PC only through Epic Launcher. Additionally, Epic Launcher gives away free games every week, which you can claim and keep forever. Some of the free games that have been offered include GTA V, Civilization VI, Control, Star Wars Battlefront II, and many more.
Streamlined navigation and modern design
Epic Launcher has a simple and sleek user interface that makes it easy to browse and manage your games. The launcher has a modern design language that works well on different devices and screen sizes. You can also customize your launcher settings to suit your preferences. For example, you can change the language, enable or disable notifications, adjust download speed limits, or choose where to install your games.
Better revenue share for developers
Epic Launcher also claims to be more fair and generous to game developers than other platforms. According to its website, when you buy a game on the Epic Games Store, 88% of the price goes directly to developers, versus only 70% on many other stores. This means that developers can earn more money from their games and invest more in creating quality content for players.
The disadvantages of using Epic Launcher
Missing major titles and features
Despite its growing library, Epic Launcher still lacks many major titles that are available on other platforms. For example, you cannot play popular games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Doom Eternal, or Half-Life Alyx on Epic Launcher. Moreover, Epic Launcher has fewer features than its competitors, such as user reviews, forums, achievements, mod support, or game streaming. These features can enhance the gaming experience and provide more value to players.
Controversial exclusivity deals and practices
Another drawback of Epic Launcher is that it has been involved in some controversial exclusivity deals and practices that have angered some gamers and developers. For example, Epic Launcher has secured some games as exclusive to its platform even after they were announced or pre-ordered on other platforms, such as Metro Exodus, Shenmue III, or The Outer Worlds. This has caused frustration and confusion among customers who felt betrayed or misled by the sudden change. Additionally, Epic Launcher has been accused of using anti-consumer tactics such as paying for positive reviews, censoring negative feedback, or spying on user data.
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Limited social and community aspects
Finally, Epic Launcher has limited social and community aspects compared to other platforms. For instance, Epic Launcher does not have a built-in chat or voice chat feature, which makes it harder to communicate and coordinate with your friends or other players. You also cannot join or create groups, clans, or clubs on Epic Launcher, which can limit your social interactions and sense of belonging. Furthermore, Epic Launcher does not have a dedicated community hub where you can share your screenshots, videos, guides, or opinions with other gamers.
Alternatives to Epic Launcher
If you are not satisfied with Epic Launcher or want to try something different, there are some alternatives that you can consider. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Steam
Steam is the most popular and widely used game store and launcher for PC gamers. It has over 50,000 games in its catalog, ranging from AAA titles to indie gems. It also has many features that Epic Launcher lacks, such as user reviews, forums, achievements, mod support, game streaming, chat and voice chat, groups and clubs, and community hubs. Steam also offers frequent sales and discounts, as well as a loyalty program that rewards you with points that you can use to buy games or items. Steam is free to download and use.
GOG Galaxy
GOG Galaxy is another game store and launcher that focuses on DRM-free games. DRM-free means that you can play your games without online authentication or activation, which gives you more freedom and control over your games. GOG Galaxy also has a large library of classic games that are compatible with modern systems. GOG Galaxy also has some features that Epic Launcher does not have, such as user reviews, forums, achievements, mod support, chat and voice chat, groups and clubs, and community hubs. GOG Galaxy also offers frequent sales and discounts, as well as a loyalty program that rewards you with coins that you can use to buy games or items. GOG Galaxy is free to download and use.
Heroic Games Launcher
Heroic Games Launcher is an open-source game launcher that allows you to play games from the Epic Games Store without using the official Epic Launcher. It is designed to be lightweight and minimalist, with only the essential features that you need to play your games. Heroic Games Launcher also lets you import your games from other launchers such as Steam or GOG Galaxy. Heroic Games Launcher is free to download and use.
Conclusion and FAQs
Summary of the main points and recommendations
In conclusion, Epic Launcher is a game store and launcher that offers some exclusive games and free games, a streamlined navigation and modern design, and a better revenue share for developers. However, it also has some drawbacks such as missing major titles and features, controversial exclusivity deals and practices, and limited social and community aspects. Therefore, whether you should use Epic Launcher or not depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you want to play some of the exclusive games or get some free games, you might want to give Epic Launcher a try. But if you care more about having a wider selection of games and features, or having more social and community interactions, you might want to stick with other platforms such as Steam or GOG Galaxy. You can also use multiple launchers at the same time, or use an alternative launcher such as Heroic Games Launcher to access your Epic Games Store games without using the official Epic Launcher.
Frequently asked questions about Epic Launcher
QuestionAnswer
Is Epic Launcher safe to use?Epic Launcher is safe to use as long as you download it from the official website of Epic Games. However, some users have reported issues such as cras