Epic Games Store is going to support Linux 'soon' and that's great news for Steam Deck owners

Date:
Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:41:39 +0000

Description:
2026 just gets better for Linux gamers, as Epic is making a native version of its launcher, plus the GeForce Now app has officially arrived.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Epic's launcher is being ported over to Linux This is happening just as Nvidia's GeForce Now streaming app came out of beta and officially launched on Linux This year is getting better and better for Linux gamers, as GOG is also porting its Galaxy client over
too Epic will be making a native version of its launcher for Linux , and on top of that, Nvidia 's GeForce Now app for Linux is also official, having emerged from beta.

The delivery of the Epic Games Store for Linux will be a big win for Steam Deck owners, and other Linux gamers who want to access Epic's gaming platform with no fuss, and as Steam Deck HQ reports (via VideoCardz ), that native incarnation is coming. An Epic employee (@onepercentnachos) was questioned on this subject at an AMA ('ask me anything' session) on the Discord server for the Epic Games Store community. They replied that a native version of the store is coming "soon" albeit not in the next preview build. The staffer
noted that "we need to do more than simply have a build of the launcher that can run natively on Linux". Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Nvidia also just announced that the Linux app for its streaming service, GeForce Now , is no longer a beta. The officially released full version of
the app "focuses on performance, stability and polish while continuing to support Ubuntu 24.04 and later", we're told.

And while it's not related to gaming, OpenAI's release of a ChatGPT app for Linux is another milestone for the platform. As TechCrunch reports , the
Linux app for ChatGPT is still a preview, but it gives users a native app experience for a number of different distros. Those include Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, Debian 13, as well as Fedora 43 and 44. You may like Users think Discord's Linux update is a distraction from the controversy SteamOS is about to get better on Intel-powered handhelds thanks to Valve Some gamers vow to abandon Windows 11 following Valve's boosts for SteamOS

OpenAI said: "Linux has been one of the most-requested platforms for the desktop app, and this launch extends ChatGPT and Codex across every major desktop operating system ." Analysis: a rosier future for Linux gamers but Fortnite remains a bone of contention (Image credit: Future/Epic Games) The Epic Games Store arriving natively is great news for gamers running Linux including SteamOS as it means a much more convenient way of playing games from the store, as opposed to the current situation with fudging and workarounds (using a third-party app such as the Heroic Games Launcher). Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

It's worth noting that the distros which will be supported remain
unconfirmed, but presumably the gaming-focused SteamOS will be one of them. Also, there will still be limitations even with this native implementation, notably games with anti-cheat. Indeed, Epic's own Fortnite doesn't work on Linux (and that's down to Epic actively blocking the game from running due to issues around cheating , which remains a source of controversy).

Given the apparent changing attitude here with its launcher being ported
over, maybe Epic will reverse course on Fortnite eventually. Some gamers on Reddit are highly skeptical about that possibility though, and as one
doubting Redditor put it : "I wouldn't hold my breath."

Another went just a touch further than that , observing: "I wouldn't be shocked if Tim Sweeney [Epic's CEO] would rather die than let Fortnite run on Linux, honestly."

At any rate, the Fortnite controversy aside, with GOG also working on a
native Linux spin on its Galaxy client, there are some considerable strides being taken for gamers and Nvidia's GeForce Now becoming official for Linux is another useful step forward to boot. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/epic-games-store-is-going-to-suppor t-linux-soon-and-thats-great-news-for-steam-deck-owners


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