Epic Games Launcher Confirmed To Support SteamOS Soon

Epic Games has officially confirmed that its self-named Epic Games Launcher will soon support third-party Linux distributions, including SteamOS, Fedora, CachyOS, and Omarchy. Jake Jones, Communications Director at Epic Games, stated during an interview with GamingOnLinux that the new launcher is still in Preview and that they plan to support as many Linux distributions as possible.

They are currently testing and evaluating different packaging formats for distribution and will reintroduce the AppImage format this month. AppImage is an open-source software format for Linux that allows users to run applications directly as a single file without the need for a traditional installation process or access to root privileges.

This move by Epic Games could potentially pave the way for Fortnite compatibility on SteamOS, despite the ongoing feud between the two platforms. While Valve takes a 30% cut of gross revenue from developers on its launcher, Epic Games allows developers to keep 100% of their first US$1 million in revenue, with a 12% cut thereafter.

Many developers still prefer Steam due to the higher revenue share, even if it means pledging allegiance to the Lord Gaben. However, this news does not guarantee Fortnite's availability on SteamOS, as having an official Epic Games launcher on the operating system would only grant users access to their library on the platform without relying on third-party clients.

Epic Games is also developing an Easy Anti-Cheat Linux v2 to ensure that their exclusive title can function on Linux, addressing the lack of anti-cheat support on SteamOS. Nonetheless, running on the Valve OS does not guarantee playability on the Steam Deck or Steam Machine.