2K Games have officially nuked the 2K Launcher from orbit, finally removing it from their games across both Steam and Epic. One publisher at least making things smoother for us all, and even better on Steam Deck since these extra launchers tend to be quite a nuisance.
In the updated post on their official support page they noted that "As of November 18, 2024, the 2K Launcher has been removed from every game that used it on". Yesterday, November 25, a "follow-up update was sent out via Steam to make sure the 2K Launcher was fully removed".
These games now just launch completely direct into the game:
- Bioshock Remastered
- Bioshock 2 Remastered
- Bioshock Infinite
- The Quarry
- Marvel’s Midnight Suns
However, these below have a few different launch options, but these are direct Steam launch options:
- Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition
- Civilization VI
- Civilization V
- XCOM 2
- XCOM: Chimera Squad
2K noted the new XCOM 2 Mod Launcher has also been tested working on Steam Deck, but certain buttons don't work with the gamepad controls so you'll need to adjust Steam Input for it. XCOM: Chimera Squad also has a Mod Launcher, which they said has the same issue but additionally on Steam Deck the Play and Manage Mods buttons have some graphical issues but still function.
You may need to completely close and re-open Steam to see the new launch options for each game.
What a lovely thing to wake up to.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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14 Likes, Who?
Rumor is that they sold it for a profit to Ubisoft who will now double up on launchers just to keep you safe! 
Edit: Guess it was Sony, not Ubisoft that used the "safe" excuse. Ruined my own joke
Last edited by whizse on 26 November 2024 at 2:21 pm UTC
Edit: Guess it was Sony, not Ubisoft that used the "safe" excuse. Ruined my own joke
Last edited by whizse on 26 November 2024 at 2:21 pm UTC
13 Likes, Who?
legluondunet Nov 26, 2024
If only Steam had the courage to force Ubisoft and other video game publishers not to use their own launcher when selling their games on Steam, Steam being the launcher. I don't want a launcher in a launcher in a launcher...#inception It generates potential additional technical problems and it uses resources for nothing.
Last edited by legluondunet on 26 November 2024 at 11:41 am UTC
Last edited by legluondunet on 26 November 2024 at 11:41 am UTC
7 Likes, Who?
I wonder if the Sony boss still dares to play 2K games now...
3 Likes, Who?
Valve/Steam should take a slightly smaller cut for games that don't use a launcher. Ie 29% instead of 30%.
1 Likes, Who?
If only Steam had the courage to force Ubisoft and other video game publishers not to use their own launcher when selling their games on Steam, Steam being the launcher. I don't want a launcher in a launcher in a launcher...#inception It generates potential additional technical problems and it uses resources for nothing.
I'm really happy they don't.
I'm pretty sure that would be anti-competative and monopolistic behavior.
It costs resources, but it comes from a good place.
0 Likes
legluondunet Nov 26, 2024
If only Steam had the courage to force Ubisoft and other video game publishers not to use their own launcher when selling their games on Steam, Steam being the launcher. I don't want a launcher in a launcher in a launcher...#inception It generates potential additional technical problems and it uses resources for nothing.
I'm really happy they don't.
I'm pretty sure that would be anti-competative and monopolistic behavior.
It costs resources, but it comes from a good place.
Steam has already what a second launcher like Ubisoft or...gives:
- DRM protection
- discussions
- achievements
- Steam workshop
- tchat
...
When you sell a game on Steam, editors should use Steam tools.
3 Likes, Who?
It was such a pain getting Marvel Midnight Suns to launch when it first came out, so this is so needed. Aside from that launcher, it was my 2022 game of the year.
1 Likes, Who?
Thank God! not needing launchers are one reason I buy games from GOG.
2 Likes, Who?
Ufff... I really don't have time to play new games now. But this move should be rewarded with some purchase.
0 Likes
finally 2K games work without this nonsense
eval $(echo "%command%" | sed "s/2KLauncher\/LauncherPatcher.exe'.*/mafiadefinitiveedition.exe'/")
now rockstar!!!! and ubisoft and ea
Last edited by mylka on 26 November 2024 at 5:38 pm UTC
eval $(echo "%command%" | sed "s/2KLauncher\/LauncherPatcher.exe'.*/mafiadefinitiveedition.exe'/")
now rockstar!!!! and ubisoft and ea
Last edited by mylka on 26 November 2024 at 5:38 pm UTC
2 Likes, Who?
Kuduzkehpan Nov 26, 2024
there may be Logo of developers like "ubisoft" splash under Steam for that games. İnstead of extra launchers just like Division series. once upon there was a bug which makes ubisoft connect totaly nonsense even overlay hadnt working. and need to change restart wine versions. To update or play or install a piece of software. These days are killing excitement of player just like me. But still i agree developers should make some ADS for their jobs.
0 Likes
steam doesn't prevent other stores on the same system (not even on the steam deck)If only Steam had the courage to force Ubisoft and other video game publishers not to use their own launcher when selling their games on Steam, Steam being the launcher. I don't want a launcher in a launcher in a launcher...#inception It generates potential additional technical problems and it uses resources for nothing.
I'm really happy they don't.
I'm pretty sure that would be anti-competative and monopolistic behavior.
It costs resources, but it comes from a good place.
meanwhile...
all consoles (except the steam deck) are completely locked to a single store and even forbid in-game purchases from being processed outside the console manufacturer's store system
apple store, google play (and afaik even microsoft store) forbid 3rd-party stores in their store
apple and google forbids in-app purchases in apps sold through their app store from working outside their store's framework... apps doing so are booted off their store
not sure what you think will be considered monopolistic in a world where the above practices aren't
Last edited by Marlock on 26 November 2024 at 8:46 pm UTC
5 Likes, Who?
So, bioshock games have no launcher at all when getting them from gog? (did the gog versions ever have one?)
That sale looks tempting now...
Last edited by emphy on 27 November 2024 at 8:13 am UTC
That sale looks tempting now...
Last edited by emphy on 27 November 2024 at 8:13 am UTC
0 Likes
If only Steam had the courage to force Ubisoft and other video game publishers not to use their own launcher when selling their games on Steam, Steam being the launcher. I don't want a launcher in a launcher in a launcher...#inception It generates potential additional technical problems and it uses resources for nothing.
I'm really happy they don't.
I'm pretty sure that would be anti-competative and monopolistic behavior.
It costs resources, but it comes from a good place.
Steam has already what a second launcher like Ubisoft or...gives:
- DRM protection
- discussions
- achievements
- Steam workshop
- tchat
...
When you sell a game on Steam, editors should use Steam tools.
It has all those things, but you can choose to not use and/or purchase most to all of them when you publish a game on steam, which is their market dominant product.
If they did it would be "tying".
Microsoft did this with their office suite and Teams.
It's what Valve's currently in court for about Steam keys and Steam.
It's what M$ does Windows bloatware(and why you've to be able to remove it in the EU).
0 Likes
Avehicle7887 Nov 27, 2024
So, bioshock games have no launcher at all when getting them from gog? (did the gog versions ever have one?)
That sale looks tempting now...
GOG releases never had one to begin with. The games themselves are very good and play fine in Wine, with such discounts you can't go wrong :)
1 Likes, Who?
Having to launch an additional launcher to play a game on Steam (a launcher) is silly. While some companies like 2K are backing off, Sony is being more aggressive with theirs. It would be nice if we could optionally login to Sony/EA/Ubisoft through the native ingame menu for multiplayer instead of running another Electron app in the background.
1 Likes, Who?
Having to launch an additional launcher to play a game on Steam (a launcher) is silly. While some companies like 2K are backing off, Sony is being more aggressive with theirs. It would be nice if we could optionally login to Sony/EA/Ubisoft through the native ingame menu for multiplayer instead of running another Electron app in the background.
Something, something, shareholder meetings, something, something, number go up.
3 Likes, Who?
Tadas-Estidal Dec 21, 2024
finally I can buy 2k games, literally didn't buy any of them because of the mandatory 3rd party launcher.
0 Likes
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