Yet another launcher...

[steve58]

How many more freaking launchers/distributor thingies does the world need?  Pretty soon every single game company will have their own launcher...

The simply named Rockstar Games Launcher went live worldwide on Tuesday on Windows PCs, and it includes the ability to purchase and install a range of Rockstar-developed games (and their associated microtransactions). This is the first time Rockstar has offered direct purchases of its PC games, as opposed to serving games on services such as Steam. With that in mind, the launcher also lets players find and boot existing Rockstar games' Steam installations

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/09/rockstar-gives-away-a-gta-classic-to-get-you-to-install-its-new-games-launcher/

[Jarhead0331]

I thought they already had something similar to this. It pops up when I run GTA5. Maybe it is just the "Social Club"?

[RommelFox]

How many more freaking launchers/distributor thingies does the world need?  Pretty soon every single game company will have their own launcher...

Ugh.  It's the same thing with everyone trying to do their own streaming service for their shows.  Just stop, it's getting to be too much.

[Huw the Poo]

I'm surprised Rockstar even bothered, considering they don't give a shit about PC.  Although I suppose this is all about making money and nothing beneficial for the customer, so....

[al_infierno]

I thought they already had something similar to this. It pops up when I run GTA5. Maybe it is just the "Social Club"?

It's a new launcher in addition to the Social Club, probably meant to eventually replace it.  A side effect of this is that people who purchased via Steam cannot play with people who purchased via Social Club.

This new launcher adds yet another layer of internet checks, lengthens the already ridiculous load times, and requires you to be always online for singleplayer.  Total garbage.  I actually uninstalled GTA V because of this, I'd already had it with the long-ass loading times and constant CTDs.  My SSD space could be better utilized with a shitton of Arma mods.

[Tpek]

How many more freaking launchers/distributor thingies does the world need?  Pretty soon every single game company will have their own launcher...

Ugh.  It's the same thing with everyone trying to do their own streaming service for their shows.  Just stop, it's getting to be too much.

Streaming services are in a worse situation.
Not only it means we (at least those of us outside the U.S) have to wait for those service providers to bother agreeing to service humanity as a whole, but everyone has to pay for each streaming service provider separately.

[FarAway Sooner]

They wouldn't be doing all of this if Steam were cheaper/easier to do business with.  I say let 'em try, and if the experience is better than what Steam offers, or just a similar experience, and the developers get to keep more of the money, go with it.  If your client experience sucks (and it often does), just limit yourself to Steam purchases.

I get that it complicates the landscape for us gamers.  But I think it's impossible to not lay some of the blame on Steam.  Both are for-profit firms trying to maximize revenue.

[Jarhead0331]

They wouldn't be doing all of this if Steam were cheaper/easier to do business with.  I say let 'em try, and if the experience is better than what Steam offers, or just a similar experience, and the developers get to keep more of the money, go with it.  If your client experience sucks (and it often does), just limit yourself to Steam purchases.

I get that it complicates the landscape for us gamers.  But I think it's impossible to not lay some of the blame on Steam.  Both are for-profit firms trying to maximize revenue.

I don't think they are doing this so much because steam has hurt them. I think they are doing it because they want to emulate what Steam has built. Its been a gold mine for valve and has far surpassed their accomplishments as a developer of games.

[Huw the Poo]

Jarhead is 100% correct.  "If the experience is better than what Steam offers" - well it's not even close, with any client, and some of them have had years and haven't been hobbled by the same ridiculous kind of "flat management" style Valve apparently uses either.

Valve have said in the past that the cut they ask for is necessary in order to fund the development they do on Steam.  Without being privy to their accounting records, it's hard to argue otherwise.

It's easy to lose sight of just how much work Valve put into Steam.  And not just Steam either - Windows-only people will not realise it, but Valve contribute shitloads to the free software community as well.  Like, a TON.  Read about Proton, for just one example.

[FarAway Sooner]

Jarhead is 100% correct.  "If the experience is better than what Steam offers" - well it's not even close, with any client, and some of them have had years and haven't been hobbled by the same ridiculous kind of "flat management" style Valve apparently uses either.

Valve have said in the past that the cut they ask for is necessary in order to fund the development they do on Steam.  Without being privy to their accounting records, it's hard to argue otherwise.

It's easy to lose sight of just how much work Valve put into Steam.  And not just Steam either - Windows-only people will not realise it, but Valve contribute shitloads to the free software community as well.  Like, a TON.  Read about Proton, for just one example.

Steam is estimated to have made more than $4BN revenue in 2017, which is the last year I can find numbers for.  Any time a privately owned Fortune 1000 company tells me that they're pricing just enough to cover their business, forgive me if I'm skeptical.

I've seen how much money Steam makes.  I'm not going into details, so I won't expect any of you to really believe me, and that's fine, but Steam is making PLENTY of money.  A ton more than almost all of the developers who put their goods up there.

I'm not bashing Steam.  It's a good product, and really the only game launcher I use.  But it is a free market.  If somebody else wants to try making another launcher that's just as good or better, more power to them!

[Huw the Poo]

If somebody else wants to try making another launcher that's just as good or better, more power to them!

Absolutely!  I didn't complain when GOG made their own launcher, or EA, or anyone else!  I have a particular problem with Epic because of their shitty practices, not because they entered the market.  Like I said, Valve use their powers for good, Epic use theirs for evil.