Why do you need a launcher? (asking older gamers actually)

[frongt@lemmy.zip]

I resent the accusation that I need a launcher. I don't.

[who@feddit.org]

I don't. Launching things is my desktop environment's job.

Since the rise of game publishers' launchers, I have to use my (desktop) launcher to launch a (storefront's) launcher to launch a (publisher's) launcher to launch the game. It's probably the best example of the yo dawg meme I have ever seen. In other words, ridiculously annoying, not to mention wasteful of my time and system resources.

[kolanaki@pawb.social]

You think we want launchers?

I hated being forced to use Steam when it launched, after they shut down WON that was used for CS. I want as little applications running in the background 24/7 as possible.

Steam got better overall, making the 24/7 background application actually useful to keep running (controller support to control desktop, chats, notifications of sales, etc). Nobody else does that tho, and I definitely don't want to use a different launcher for every fucking game/store.

[tiredofsametab@fedia.io]

We don't, really. I certainly grew up without them. It did both good and bad things. It did centralize and simplify some things, but that came at a cost of freedom for more power users. It was great for sorting out dependencies at a time games were still often bad at doing that cleanly on their own for less-technical people. I think it did good things for community, though, particularly for those of us who did not use any modern consoles that had various party/SNS-like features baked in.

[auster@thebrainbin.org]

90's kid myself so I probably don't fit into the old gamer category, but my grievance with launchers is the same with most UI systems: I must figure out how the author expected it to be used, and if there's something that bothers me, finding ways to circumvent or solve it is a quest.

At least with terminal-based tools, or very basic lanunchers, I can find far more easily ways to make launching games ideal, even by bridging to a program or the system's UI.

[fiery@lemmy.dbzer0.com]

Even better when the desktop launcher launches the epic games launcher which launches the rockstar launcher.

[callouscomic@lemmy.zip]

I like the ease of use and services Steam provides. The easy installs/reinstalls, cloud saves, the custom Notes are very useful for me, the library organization, some steam workshop stuff, the community hubs for games are fun shared content, the guides, the discussions, the reviews. All of it makes a nice experience. In general it's also cheaper than console. Then they made Steam Deck which is possibly my fav console ever.

[who@feddit.org]

In that example, Epic is the storefront and Rockstar is the publisher. It's exactly what I described.

Maddening, isn't it?

[dualpad@lemmy.zip]

I use Steam Input to set up mouse input on my controller to utilize gyro aiming, which lets me play against mouse players without utilizing aim assist.

And I also set up keyboard inputs on my controller to be able to utilize keyboard short cuts over relying on things like the weapon/item wheel.

Makes it so I get a controller experience that is more mouse and keyboard like that I couldn't get relying on default controller schemes.

[sparrohawc@lemmy.zip]

The controller integration is probably the #1 reason I prefer to keep Steam going in the background.

Consolidated multiplayer (friends list, etc) would be the #2 reason.

[pirahxcx@lemmy.dbzer0.com]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I see there is a lot of features that I have no use for so I never explored (controller stuff, cloudsave, social features, achievements, etc)... I guess auto updates are cool though, but I only play old games anyway

[ryathal@sh.itjust.works]

The real killer feature was not having to manage cd keys to install games on new computers or just reinstall them.

[scubus@sh.itjust.works]

Its for DRM. The easiest way to check if you actually own the game is to have the game contantly ask whether its connected to the server. The server should have your payment info. If thats not found, your game isnt legit.

Thats why GOG is so good, their games dont have DRM. Meaning you (and pirates) have a BETTER version of the game. Let me repeat that, downloading an illegal copy gives you a better running version of the same game you mightve paid for, because it doesnt have to contantly talk to a server before the game will allow you to do anything.

When you pirate a steam game, youre also downloading a "fake" version of steam, a steam emulator. The way they break DRM for steam games doesnt remove the DRM, but it slightly reduces the issues DRM causes because the server it is communicating with is local and doesnt have to index user files. Your game just asks the steam emulator if its legit, the steam emulator doesnt check anything, it just says that whatever got checked was legit.

[torfdot0@lemmy.world]

I mean steam adds a convenient way to keep your games up to date instead of having to manually patch them. I also was on the anti-steam bandwagon for the longest time until I finally gave in and decided to buy Modern Warfare 2 in 2010. I ended up repurchasing the rest of the Call of Duty games because it was so convenient not needing the discs and not having to locate patches.

Steam is the one launcher I don’t get pissed about having to use because it has so many value add features.

Unlike epic/origin/uplay

[regrettable_incident@lemmy.world]

It's there, and I'm lazy.

[fiery@lemmy.dbzer0.com]

Ah I read over a step in your comment, my bad my bad. I should stop commenting when tired haha

[zecg@lemmy.world]

Not having a launcher is my requirement to buy a game lol

Good luck with that. I need it because I've fiddled with my screwdriver adjusting the cassette head position to load Scuba Diver on ZX Spectrum too many times.

[burgerbaron@piefed.social]

I don't. I was still buying physical releases and renting games from my local video stores until both things died out against my will.

Steam is convienent for the services they provide.

Since the USA is turning to shit, I try to buy from stores outside USA now so GOG is increasingly seeing more of my money. Let's say Valve falls off or goes to shit after Gabe dies: I'm a skilled pirate so whatever.

Mostly I'm Ambivalent but kinda apathetic about launchers because I can just go and find whatever I potentially lose again elsewhere. A self educated privilege combined with grey morality I suppose. Or a resignation to an ever worsening reality I was born into without my say.

[zerofk@lemmy.zip]

You don’t. When Valve first started with Steam, everybody hated it. I myself held out for a long time, not wanting a useless program hogging resources.

But gradually it became clear that Steam was actually just a game store. Except having to go to a store and rifle through boxes, you could do it from your PC. Yes it launched the games, but that was just like having a single folder with all game shortcuts. Its main purpose was discovering and buying new games.

Other vendors saw its success and wanted a piece of the cake. I think they mistakenly thought the launcher was an important part of Steam’s success, when it was in fact the large catalogue and good discoverability. They use exclusivity to lure customers, but can’t possibly compete with Valve.

Now we are at a point where the landscape is divided again. The majority of games is on Steam, but enough have their own place that the “single folder with shortcuts” became relevant again. That’s where the likes of Heroic and Playnite come in. These are no longer stores to buy games, but are simply a convenient way to quickly start the game you want, regardless of its source.

[jackbydev@programming.dev]

It's really easy to forget, but yes, Steam was annoying back in the day. I hated it so much I bought Borderlands 1 from somewhere else in protest. My friends bought it through Steam. The patch dropped and they got it, I didn't, and I couldn't play anymore. It finally came later, though. This pushed me to give it a second chance. Now it's amazing. Apart from some gripes about the UI of Steam itself, there's not really much to complain about.