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.
That’s true, but it’s also a pain in the ass compared to Steam, was my point. I can click on Dishonored and have it ready in 15 minutes while I make coffee, or I can download like
and then install it by hand, after which I have double its size in used diskspace and have to delete those files. Also, there may be patches to install. People don’t realize this, but Steam doesn’t actually necessarily mean imply DRM. I 'member the time before Ubishit launcher when you could just take a Steam install of Rayman Origins and plop the directory from steam’s common files onto another computer.
Use the launcher to install, then just run the exe. Point is you don’t need to interact with the launcher, its ads, and its bugs every time you want to play.
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.
Hitman was quickly pulled from GOG for being too big of a compromise on their values. Their only exception to DRM-free is multiplayer that uses GOG Galaxy services.
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.
It can be convenient. You’re going to launch the games somehow, whether that’s clicking files in a folder or running a command. If you have a bunch of games it’s nice to see them neatly organized in one place with nice visual representation. Non-launcher options tend to either get unwieldy or require more customization work.
The Steam launcher does a whole bunch of other useful things, like managing saves, setting up Proton, tracking play time and achievements, connecting to friends, integrating the store. It’s not hard to see why people like the convenience.
It is annoying when it goes too far… like individual games that insist on having their own launcher.
Heroic is a nice middle ground. GoG gives you simple downloads, that you can then choose to access through Heroic.
Updating all of my games is a huge boost. I also enjoy the sync feature as I may play the same game on my desktop, HTPC, and Steam Deck. I like GOG allowing installing without their launcher, but I still just install games through Heroic Games Launcher for the same reasons as above.
Depending on how you make the game some launchers can make sense. You can set display options before launching the game. Back in ye olden times some games would launch by default in a set resolution which often made changing that in-game difficult as it would be off screen. Also makes your first time launching it a better experience than some low-res garbage. Also, without a platform like steam they can handle updates.
That being said, I don’t think most modern games need those functions. Graphics engines are pretty good at getting screen resolution from your os (not perfect). And platforms handle patches and updates.
Now they’re mostly there to gather metrics and shove ads in your face, and enforce drm.
I have recently finished my 4th playthrough of FFX and am now playing Final Fantasy IX for the first time. Blind, so far about 25 hours in and I’m liking it a lot. The more light-hearted, cartoony story style isn’t usually my cup of tea, but the game is charming and despite a lot of junky writing, as is typical for Final Fantasy, I am emotioanlly invested in the future of these characters. The combat is also really nice and I like how well balanced and paced it is. I’d say it’s on the harder side as Final Fantasies go. Still not hard, but just spicy enough for casual play. I’m looking forward to finishing it probably sometime this week.
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