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Summary
The Linux gaming community has grown rapidly over the past few years, thanks to open-source game development and compatibility layers. With all these games, Epic games are also making headlines in the Linux community. It’s now easier than ever to run Epic games on Linux.
Can Epic Games Titles Be Played on Linux?
Yes, you may playEpic Games titleson Linux, but it requires a workaround since the Epic Games Store doesn’t officially support Linux. Instead of the official Epic Games launcher, you can use alternative tools like theHeroic Games Launcherto access Epic Games on Linux. Another option isLutris, a game management platform for Linux, which uses programs like Wine that allow you torun Windows games on a Linux system(including the Epic Games launcher).
Play with Heroic Launcher
Heroic Games Launcher is one of the best ways to access Epic Games on Linux. It is an open-source alternative to the Epic Games launcher, based on the command-line Epic Games client, Legendary. It integrates with Wine orProtonand allows you to install and run games from your Epic library on Linux. Moreover, it offers a simpler interface than manually configuring Wine or Lutris.
I prefer the Heroic Games Launcher over other methods to access Epic Games. Unlike Legendary, which is only command line-based, the Heroic Launcher provides a native-like experience and makes it easy to install, update, and launch games. Additionally, with Heroic, you’re able to easily access yourGOG library.
Heroic game launcher is available on all major Linux distros, including Ubuntu, Arch Linux, and Fedora/CentOS/RHEL. you may install it using the Flatpak, AppImage, DEB, and RPM packages.
I suggest using the Flatpak version, which you can install through your software center ifFlatpak is already set up. Else, get the Heroic Launcher on Linux with this:
Heroic launcher is also available as aDEB filefor Ubuntu and Debian-based distros. To install it, navigate to the Download directory and install it using theDebian package manager:
For Arch Linux, you can use anyAURhelper to get the Heroic Launcher:
To install Heroic Launcher using theRPM packagein Red Hat and Fedora, run this:
Alternatively, you’re able to install Heroic Launcher for Fedora using the default DNF package manager. But for that, first enable theCopr repository:
After installing Heroic Games Launcher, launch it from the Applications Menu and log in using your Epic Games account credentials. You can also choose alternative login options like Google or Facebook.
Once logged in, you will locate all the titles you have added to your account in the Library section. To start playing games, select the game from the list and hit the “Install” button.
Before installation, the Heroic launcher will ask for the installation path. You also need to set up the Wine prefix and version to run the game.
After that, wait for the installation to complete. Once done, launch the game to start playing.
In case the game fails to load, try other versions of Wine. To do so, select the “Wine Manager” from the side menu.
Here, you can choose any alternate version of Wine. This will help you find the Wine version that’s compatible with the game you are installing.
Launch Epic Games Using Lutris
Lutris is an open-source gaming platform that helps you run Epic games using Wine. It’s not as good as the Heroic Launcher, as you will not get a native-like Epic Games store experience, but it will do the work for you.
Lutris is a unified platform for organizing and launching games from various sources, such as Steam, GOG, Humble Bundle, emulators, or web-based games.
For Fedora, get it using the default package manager:
Lutris can also be installed directly from the Arch Extra Repository. For this, use any AUR helper likeYayor the default package manager (pacman):
If you’re using a different Linux distribution, you can find detailed installation instructions on the officialLutris download page.
Once the installation is completed, open Lutris and look for the “Epic Games Store” on the left panel.
If it’s not visible, go to preferences and enable it under available sources. Here, you will also find other game sources like GOG andOrigin.
Now login to your Epic account and set up the Wine configuration by following the on-screen steps.
Wait for the installation to complete.
After that, launch the Epic Games Store, find a compatible game from your library or purchase one, and install it.
Run Epic Games via Legendary
Legendary is a command-line interface (CLI) tool for installing Windows-only games on your Linux system. It also lets you manage and play games available on the Epic Games Store without using the official Epic Games Launcher. Being a CLI tool, Legendary is lightweight and does not require the overhead of a full graphical interface.
Several Linux distributions already offer Legendary in their default repository. Currently,available distributionsinclude Arch, Gentoo, openSUSE, and Fedora. However, remember that third-party maintainers manage these packages, so they may not always be updated immediately to the latest version.
To get legendary on Arch Linux, you can either use any AUR helper or directly clone the package from theAUR repository:
Legendary is also available in official Fedora repositories:
If you prefer to have access to the most recent features and fixes, it’s recommended that you install Legendary viaPyPI. Also, ensure that thelatest Python version is installedon your system.
Here, I’m installing Legendary on my Ubuntu system. To avoid conflict with the system’s packages,create a virtual Python environment:
After creating a virtual environment, activate it:
Nowclone the Legendary projectfrom its GitHub repository onto your local machine:
Navigate inside the Legendary directory and run thepip installcommand:
Once installed, you can run Legendary from within the virtual environment. You may need to reactivate the Legendary virtual environment for each new session.
Before you can play games using Legendary, first authenticate your Epic Games account with this:
The authenticate command will open the browser on your system. The browser will redirect you to the Epic Games login page. After logging in through the URL, you’ll be given aJSON stringcontaining the “authorizationCode.” Copy this JSON authentication code into the terminal and press enter.
Now that you are authenticated, you’re able to start managing and launching your Epic Games using Legendary.
To list all the titles you have added to the Epic Games run:
To list installed games and check for available updates, run:
To ease the process of launching the Epic game, create anexecutable bash script:
Manage Epic Games on Linux With Bottles
Bottlesis the last program on our list to access the Epic Game store on Linux. It helps you run Windows software and games by managing Wine prefixes.
On most Linux distros, Bottles is available through Flathub. Although it’s also available in the AUR repository, the Bottle’s developer recommends downloading it from Flathub for a more stable release.
Once installed, run Bottles using Flatpak:
Bottles can also be installed from the Software Centre with Flathub support.
Now, wait till it starts downloading the required packages. Avoid clicking the “Continue Offline” button; otherwise, it will get stuck in a loop.
Once Bottles is launched, create a new Bottle, a self-contained environment for running Windows apps.
you may choose from various environments, such as “Gaming,” “Applications,” or “Custom.” For Epic Games, select “Gaming.”
Open the Bottle you created, and from the sidebar, click on “Install Programs.”
Search for Epic Games Launcher and run the installer.
Bottles will handle many optimizations automatically, but you can manually configure runners like Proton or Wine and apply tweaks for better performance.
Notably, while installing the Bottles, I faced the issue of missing fonts (arial32.exe, times32.exe, and trebuc32.exe) due to the broken SourceForge download link. A quick solution to this is to manually download the fonts and paste them inside the following location:
If the default SourceForge download link doesn’t work, try any mirror.
You may also need to install additional dependencies or tweaks like DXVK for better game performance.
After installation, the Epic Games Launcher will appear in your Bottle’s Programs section. Launch the Epic Games Launcher.
Finally, log in to access your game library.
Now, download and install your Epic games directly from the launcher.
As the gaming landscape evolves, Linux continues to emerge as a viable platform for both casual and dedicated gamers. Using tools like Heroic Launcher, Bottles, and Legendary, accessing and enjoying non-native Linux games is becoming easier.
