- There are multiple compatibility tools such as Lutris, Heroic, and NonSteamLauncher to run the Epic Games catalog.
- The integration of cloud saves and the management of anti-cheat systems vary significantly depending on the launcher chosen.
- Epic Games is actively developing a native version of the client to optimize the experience on Linux and Steam Deck.
It's an open secret that those of us who work in the Linux ecosystem sometimes hit a wall when trying to install mainstream programs or gaming platforms . The lack of native clients is a daily occurrence, but the great thing about our community is that there's always someone inventing a workaround or an ingenious strategy to make everything work.
Epic Games is a perfect example: they have amazing games like Fall Guys and Fortnite, but they refuse to release an official installer for us. Therefore, if you want to access your game library without any hassle, you have to resort to compatibility layers or emulators that act as intermediaries between the Windows code and your operating system.
Main options for installing the launcher
If you don't know where to start, there are several routes. One of the most classic is lutrisIt's an open-source platform that's practically a Swiss Army knife because it already includes Wine, Dolphin, and other emulators. To install it, simply go to its website and use the terminal command according to your distribution (whether it's Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, or Mint). If you prefer not to deal with repositories, you can use... Flatpak running flatpak install fluthub net.lutris.Lutris.
Once you're in Lutris, simply select the Epic Games Store from the menu. It will most likely ask you to install Epic Online Services ; confirm without hesitation, or you'll run into problems with online mode. However, to avoid crashes, make sure your graphics drivers are up to date and that the 32-bit libraries for Vulkan and OpenGL are properly installed.
Comparison of alternative launchers
Lutris isn't everything. There are other projects that might give you better results depending on what you're looking for. For example, Heroic Games Launcher has a very polished interface, although some may find it unintuitive due to its somewhat scattered advanced features. It's ideal if you just want to install the game and play, but it falls short in cloud save integration.
On the other hand, we have NonSteamLauncher (NSL) , which stands out precisely for its excellent management of Epic's cloud services. It achieves this by launching the client silently using specific commands that link the Steam prefix to the game. There's also Faugus Launcher , which is improving significantly, although its automatic installers sometimes fail. And for the more adventurous or technically inclined, UMU-Launcher is the purest option, as it goes directly to the source, but it requires you to know how to manually type the launch commands.
The great wall: Anti-Cheat and compatibility
This is where things get tricky. Not all games work the same way due to Easy Anti-Cheat . Although Epic Games stated some time ago that it would support Wine and Proton, the reality is that many users are still experiencing problems with Fortnite's multiplayer. To avoid going in blind, it's best to check Protondb to see if the game is compatible or review the website areweanticheatyet.
If you find that the anti-cheat system blocks your entry and there's no way to fix it, the alternative is to skip the local installation and use Amazon Luna . It's Amazon's cloud gaming service, and while it requires an Amazon Prime subscription, it saves you all the headaches of emulation.
The future: A native launcher on the way?
The good news is that we won't have to rely on patches forever. It's been leaked via Discord that Epic Games is developing a native Linux launcher . This has gained traction following the success of the Steam Deck and the need to improve anti-cheat compatibility.
There's no firm release date, but Epic employees suggest it won't be a simple copy of the Windows version, but rather will include specific adaptations . Speculation points to a Flatpak-like packaging format and much smoother integration with Valve hardware, which would represent a radical change in how we experience their games on Linux.
In short, while we wait for the official client, we have a range of options from the simplicity of Heroic to the technical power of NSL or Lutris, always bearing in mind that the stability of the game will depend more on the anti-cheat system than on the launcher we choose.