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Idk if this is “a reason” but leaving the launcher running without actually playing the game does count as playtime for steam, which may result in folks not being able to refund it if they don’t like it, and increases overall hours played.
Whether that’s part of why these games have useless launchers, or whether those things actually pan out that way, who knows.
Launchers also generally act as advertisements for the publisher's other games.
I don't think that's part of why they do it. I'm an avid civ 6 fan, and I can say that the launcher is pretty unobstructive. Between launching from steam and launching from the 2k launcher, it takes about a minute. It's likely to collect data, but honestly the only useful data they'd get is the pc hardware, the length of play, and common mods. 2k probably saw that they weren't getting sellable data and decided to scrap the idea, honestly it's probably the only decent thing the company has done in years.
The data collection can just as easily be done by the game itself, the launcher doesn't have any special privileges
There was a period of time (probably about 3-6 months) when the launcher would cause the game to crash on launch. I had to mod it out.
It's likely to collect data, but honestly the only useful data they'd get is the pc hardware, the length of play, and common mods
Are you sure that they don’t look at every folder in your system for imagens etc?
That's just a by-product of how Steam works. Playtime is counted as long as the Play button says "Stop".
For games without DRM (e.g. KSP), you can launch it from the Steam install folder without Steam running. Everything works perfectly but your playtime won't be counted for the same reason.
Coincidentally, ksp also uses the 2k launcher as it was published* by a take two label, private division (rip)
*after they bought the ip
It does but only because of the default Steam executable. It can be run directly without the launcher.
Take2 is blacklisted for me, for stealing early access money from kerbal space program 2 and then cancelling it, while still accepting money for it.
I have owned every Civ from 1 to 6.
The franchise is now dead to me until Take2 is replaced.
The fact I can't play civ6 without accepting changed terms means I won't pay for civ 7 or buy any dlc. for a game I play by myself, that I've owned since launch, and 2k have removed my ability to play any more is just the fucked thing about modern games
I bought and own Civ 6 for Android. I tried to play it on a flight and was pissed because it requires an active internet connection.
So I own a pirated version of it now.
... I own ... pirated...
Hahahaha
Ironically pirating is the only way you can actually own (instead of license) software these days.
EA should take notes
They won't, but they should
Seems they're starting to, given Dragon Age won't be using the EA App
Goddamn I did not see that coming.
The launch option menu similar to below fulfilled the purpose of the 2k launcher and more. The launcher only served to waste our time. I hope rockstar games will get rid of their launcher too for GTAV.
I don't think they will. Not sure how they make money off it but Rockstar seems complacent being stagnant with their practices.
... oh, I turned off the launcher in steam. I was very confused on the GTA comment