Epic Games Store Unveils Long-Awaited Preloading Feature
The Epic Games Store (EGS) has recently introduced a preloading function for games, a feature that players have been eagerly awaiting since the platform launched seven years ago. While the official announcement was made on September 30, it has only just caught the attention of the wider gaming press.
This new capability allows users who have purchased a game to download it up to five days, or 120 hours, before its official release. Naturally, access to the game will only be granted once the developer greenlights the launch. Until then, the downloaded game will remain on the user's device as an encrypted package, ready to unlock on release day.
Availability and Developer Involvement
Epic has clarified that the preloading option will not be universally available for all titles. For a game to support this feature, its developers must proactively contact Epic Games to enable the functionality. This means players should check individual game pages to confirm if preloading is offered for their desired titles.
The introduction of preloading brings the Epic Games Store more in line with other major digital storefronts, such as Steam, where this feature has been standard for a considerable time. Modern gaming consoles also widely support preloading. This move aligns with previous statements from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and General Manager Steve Allison, who have both acknowledged the ongoing need for improvements and new features within the EGS platform.
What This Means for Players
For players, the addition of preloading on the Epic Games Store is a welcome convenience. It allows for a smoother launch day experience, as they won't have to wait for large downloads to complete before diving into a new game. This is particularly beneficial for those with slower internet connections or when anticipating highly popular titles that might stress servers on release day. While the EGS continues to evolve, this new feature represents a significant step towards offering a more complete and competitive gaming experience for PC users.
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