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originalfrozenbanana ,

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.

glitchdx ,

Launchers also generally act as advertisements for the publisher’s other games.

rockSlayer ,

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.

Markaos ,

The data collection can just as easily be done by the game itself, the launcher doesn’t have any special privileges

Vilian ,

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?

hexaflexagonbear ,
@hexaflexagonbear@hexbear.net avatar

Maybe, but for Civ 6 specifically the launcher came out a few years into the game’s lifespan, so I’m not sure they were doing it for whatever marginal revenue benefit that would be. I imagine selling DLC without Steam or whatever storefront getting a cut might be a motivating factor.

circuitfarmer ,
@circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

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.

JusticeForPorygon ,
@JusticeForPorygon@lemmy.world avatar

EA should take notes

They won’t, but they should

Rentlar ,

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.

https://uploads.golmedia.net/uploads/articles/article_media/16480637911670599275gol1.png

deepfriedchril ,

Did I hear a rock and stone?

MentalEdge ,
@MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz avatar

Rock and stone!

!drg

SynopsisTantilize ,

I don’t think they will. Not sure how they make money off it but Rockstar seems complacent being stagnant with their practices.

chuckleslord ,

… oh, I turned off the launcher in steam. I was very confused on the GTA comment

SapphironZA ,

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.

jaschen ,

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.

callouscomic ,

… I own … pirated…

Hahahaha

pennomi ,

Ironically pirating is the only way you can actually own (instead of license) software these days.

UlyssesT ,

rip-bozo

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