Key Takeaways
1. Epic Games Store competes with platforms like Steam and GOG, primarily through free games and exclusive promotions.
2. Epic’s CEO described the launcher as “clunky,” indicating the need for improvements in user experience.
3. The new feature of preloading allows players to download pre-ordered games up to five days before release.
4. Preloading benefits gamers with slow internet speeds and helps reduce server traffic on launch day.
5. The feature is currently limited to select titles and requires developers to request it through Epic’s support.
The Epic Games Store stands out as a major player in the gaming industry, competing with platforms like Steam and GOG. However, its popularity largely stems from offering free games and exclusive promotions rather than the platform’s overall quality. Recently, Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney referred to the launcher as “clunky,” while Store Director Steve Allison acknowledged during Unreal Fest Orlando that they still have much work ahead to achieve a perfect user experience. Now, it looks like Epic is poised to enhance its platform, starting with a feature that has been commonplace on other gaming platforms for years: preloading.
Preloading Games
In a recent announcement on Epic Games’ official forum, it was revealed that players can preload games that they have pre-ordered up to five days (or 120 hours) before the actual release date. The game files will be secured with encryption and will only be accessible on the day of the launch.
The advantages of this are clear: gamers who pre-order massive titles exceeding 100 GB—such as the anticipated Battlefield 6—will no longer have to endure long waits on the day the game is released. They can download it beforehand and dive into gameplay right when it becomes available. This is particularly beneficial for those with slower internet speeds. Developers also stand to gain from this update, as it helps reduce server traffic and lessens the likelihood of launch-day problems.
Gradual Rollout
Currently, preloading is restricted to a limited selection of titles. Developers are required to actively request this feature through Epic Games Support. To implement it, they must have BuildPatch Tool version 1.8 or newer, enable encryption, and have pre-orders approved. Epic has indicated that the rollout will be gradual.
Many in the gaming community have responded with skepticism. On Reddit, numerous users criticized the announcement, claiming that this preload feature should have been standard practice long ago. “I had to read the headline three times to get it… they’re announcing something that’s been common for decades,” one user commented. Another referred to it as a “welcome to 2025” moment. Others expressed their hopes for further enhancements, like the ability to preload updates and DLCs.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply