Did you launch it from the Epic Games launcher?
#Authentication error
sick drift
If you launch it any other way (directly from the executable, from Steam or any other launcher), it will give this error
Some background on this from one of the devs; #general-chat message
sick drift
The desktop shortcut calls a URL, which is handled by the Epic launcher. The launcher passes some authentication parameters to the game, which it uses to authenticate when launched.
I don't know what those parameters are or how they're generated, unfortunately.
sick drift
No, it will give the same error.
I own it on both platforms, if I launch the EGS version through Steam, this happens:
crude relic
I've noticed that at times usually Tuesdays Steam has some sort of maintenance or update, when they do it friends lists say "disconnected" during the time the friends list is disconnected I always have issues with loading multiplayer games sometimes the store too. If friends lists on steam are not disconnected I would try validating the games files through steam and in steam settings under the "Downloads" section try clearing the download cache. Those are things that have worked for me.