Epic Games Store is preparing for a significant update, aiming to resolve persistent performance issues that have plagued its users. Despite offering popular features like weekly free games and attractive sales, the platform has often been criticized for its resource-intensive launcher and sluggish loading speeds, particularly when compared to competitors like Steam.

Scheduled for release around May or June, the revamped launcher is described by Epic Games Store Vice President and General Manager, Steve Allison, as a complete internal reconstruction. This extensive rework, initiated in October, is specifically designed to enhance the user experience by reducing system resource usage and improving loading times. Allison acknowledges that a large portion of Epic Games Store users also frequent other platforms, such as Steam, where they do not encounter similar performance hiccups, underscoring the urgency of these improvements.

Beyond performance enhancements, Epic is also focusing on enriching the social dimension of its platform. Following the introduction of text chat earlier in 2026, the upcoming update will add a game-independent voice chat feature, allowing players to connect with friends even when not actively gaming together. Additionally, users will gain the ability to create personalized virtual avatars for display within the launcher's social menu, with an interesting integration where pre-order bonuses from non-Fortnite games can be used to customize these avatars, bridging different gaming experiences within the Epic ecosystem. These changes collectively aim to deliver a faster, more integrated, and socially vibrant gaming environment.

These planned upgrades reflect Epic Games' commitment to addressing user feedback and evolving its platform. By tackling critical performance bottlenecks and expanding social interaction capabilities, the Epic Games Store is poised to offer a more fluid and engaging experience, fostering a stronger community around its diverse game library.