Epic Games Store is developing a native Linux client, potentially simplifying access for Linux users and Steam Deck owners, amid growing industry support for Linux gaming platforms.
Epic Games Store is moving towards a native Linux launcher, a change that could make life considerably easier for Steam Deck owners and other Linux users who have relied on third-party workarounds. According to reporting on the Epic Games community Discord, a company representative confirmed that the client is in development, although no release date has been set.
The significance is practical rather than symbolic. At present, Linux players who want access to Epic’s library usually depend on tools such as Heroic Games Launcher, which can make the process awkward and dependent on compatibility layers. A first-party client would remove much of that friction, bringing Epic’s storefront closer to the straightforward experience Steam Deck users already have on Steam, where Valve provides a native Linux client and Proton handles much of the compatibility work.
That said, a Linux launcher is not the same as broad game support. Epic has not said that Fortnite will run on Steam Deck, and Tim Sweeney has previously made clear that the game will not be supported natively on the handheld because of Easy Anti-Cheat compatibility issues. Epic is said to be improving anti-cheat support, but there is no commitment that the problem will be solved for Fortnite or other titles that depend on similar protections.
The wider context is that other PC gaming services are also starting to treat Linux more seriously. Windows Central reported on Xodus, an open-source project aimed at bringing PC Game Pass titles to Linux systems, including Steam Deck, by tackling Microsoft’s Game Development Kit requirements and related licensing and runtime hurdles. Separately, GOG has been working on a Linux version of its Galaxy launcher, which underlines how storefronts are beginning to view the platform as a real market rather than a niche afterthought. For players, the immediate takeaway is simple: the official Epic client is not here yet, but the direction of travel is now clear.
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