Do you like desktop launchers/config windows?

Post by **Val the Moofia Boss** » April 11th, 2025, 23:49

Do you like launchers/desktop config windows before the game actually opens, or do you just want to double click a game and tune everything inside it?

A Chinese opium den · Post by **A Chinese opium den** » April 11th, 2025, 23:57

I don't really see the value in a launcher 99% of the time, it just adds slightly more downtime and maybe 2 more clicks to the process.

Post by **Tangerine** » April 12th, 2025, 00:11

If it's a config window, that doesn't bother me. If it's a launcher that's trying to get me to register the game/follow their social media/buy other games made by the company, that can **** off.

psychic_dream · Post by **psychic_dream** » April 12th, 2025, 00:29

I’ve got no problem with a game having its own config utility, as long as you can skip it and launch the game directly from the executable. What I do detest is when third parties try to be the next Epic or Steam with their in-house stores and mandatory launchers. Red Dead Redemption comes to mind—hell, even their classic library is locked behind that stupid Social Club thing. Thankfully, you can bypass it using existing cracks.

I actually applaud companies like Ubisoft and EA; despite indulging in similar practices, they at least gave people the option to enjoy many of their older hits DRM-free through GOG.

Which reminds me—the first Assassin’s Creed is supposedly available there without DRM, yet it still experiences intermittent hitching due to leftover code meant to connect to the Ubisoft servers. Funny how that works.

Post by **traxtan** » April 12th, 2025, 00:35

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ April 11th, 2025, 23:49
Do you like launchers/desktop config windows before the game actually opens, or do you just want to double click a game and tune everything inside it?

No, let me enter the game.

asf · Post by **asf** » April 12th, 2025, 00:44

paradox needs to die

Acrux · Post by **Acrux** » April 12th, 2025, 00:45

I'd rather have a separate config exe

ArcaneLurker · Post by **ArcaneLurker** » April 12th, 2025, 00:47

I don't mind them, they can be good for modding, but usually they're pretty awful compared to mod-managing programs you can download separately.

Post by **loregamer** » April 12th, 2025, 01:00

**** Bethesda launchers

Make a settings menu you fucks

Post by **Valter** » April 12th, 2025, 05:59

I have a custom launcher for games and software. It's just to launch the .exes anyway in the end, but it's more visually appealing to browse than a bunch of shortcut icons on the desktop.
But yeah launchers that want you to sign in can sign off with a shotgun

WaterMage · Post by **WaterMage** » April 12th, 2025, 06:57

Depends. If the game is heavily moddable and has a option to skip the "launcher" yes. If the launcher is mandatory and demands 2G of RAM to do nothing, no.

Jordy · Post by **Jordy** » April 12th, 2025, 07:51

I have a gorillion hours in Eve Online because I always forgot to close the launcher.

Norfleet · Post by **Norfleet** » April 12th, 2025, 08:37

In MY day, we didn't have LAUNCHERS, we ran the game directly from the command prompt, AND WE LIKED IT.

fkirenicus · Post by **fkirenicus** » April 12th, 2025, 09:32

Norfleet wrote: ↑ April 12th, 2025, 08:37
In MY day, we didn't have LAUNCHERS, we ran the game directly from the command prompt, AND WE LIKED IT.

Yep, especially when we had to direct memory usage by use of certain DOS commands. Of course don't remember all of them, but I think 'himem' was one.
EoB II: The Legend of Darkmoon was one of these games. If memory serves I had to reserve about 618 K out of 640 to even get the game to start.