Reason for this meme is that some ubisoft titles are shipped with a broken version of ubisoft connect launcher. Installing these games is only possible by running the installer for the launcher again via protontricks.

    • Landless2029@lemmy.world
      0·
      13 days ago

      The only useful thing launchers can do is adjust things like display settings that require reboot. Basically an INI config GUI.

      This was more common back in the day probably due to the game engines. More less games require restart in recent years but that could be due to me playing more indie games and less AAA titles.

      • KillingTimeItself@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        0·
        12 days ago

        those launchers i’m ok with, because they don’t ask me to log in, or take twelve minutes to start up, or try to promote a game, it’s literally just a pre launch menu. That’s chill.

        • Landless2029@lemmy.world
          0·
          12 days ago

          Wow I got downvoted.

          Yes I agree that launchers mentioned here are the online connected and required ones.

          The old school launchers you could bypass by just running the exe directly.

          • KillingTimeItself@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
            0·
            12 days ago

            wouldnt be the internet if people didnt think everything you said was stupid for no fucking reason.

            but yeah, the old school ones are mint, we need more of those.

    • rtxn@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      13 days ago

      …except manage the game’s environment, download and install local files and updates, validate those files to make sure they’re not compromised, provide an API for service integration in games, manage middleware like Gamescope or Wine…

      It would be like banning all loud and annoying freight trucks inside city limits, and then wondering why food doesn’t show up in stores anymore.

  • HowManyNimons@lemmy.world
    0·
    13 days ago

    Really? Ubisoft though? If there’s any game studio I could do without, it would be Ubi. Because of their practices I haven’t bought a game from them in years and years, and honestly it’s not even been a challenge to pass them up.

    • KoboldOfArtifice@ttrpg.networkEnglish
      0·
      12 days ago

      There’s so much attempted shaming in these comments. People like some of their games and some like them a lot. Even if you don’t feel like they’re the best, Original and Odyssey still carry the attachment people have for Assassin’s Creed and Anno 1800 has no real direct comparable alternatives.

      Stop trying to make people feel bad for just wanting to enjoy something they like when they are the victim of these companies trying to make their life harder. The fact that Ubisoft treats their customers like trash isn’t something to rub in someone’s face, it’s too bad that some people’s hobbies are locked behind something like that.

        • KoboldOfArtifice@ttrpg.networkEnglish
          0·
          12 days ago

          In no sense did I say that other people’s dislike for their games is a problem. I take no offense to that. I myself am literally of the opinion that the newer AC games are hard to enjoy and insulting to the players time.

          Nonetheless, I can acknowledge that it’s a source of comfort for some, even when I fail to enjoy it. Making them feel bad about it just isn’t OK.

      • HowManyNimons@lemmy.world
        0·
        12 days ago

        Nothing I said was an attempt to make people feel bad. I’m rubbishing Ubisoft’s games and practices: expressing an opinion. If that makes you feel bad then I suggest you look inward.

        • KoboldOfArtifice@ttrpg.networkEnglish
          0·
          12 days ago

          I’m sorry, but “Really? Ubisoft though?” is not just rubbishing Ubisofts practices. It’s condescending to OP.

          The fact that just because I criticized your choice of words makes you assume that it’s in defense of my own tastes is unreasonable too. Is there not a chance someone might sympathise with someone without sitting in the same exact boat as them?

          Point is, many people would feel bad about being approached the way you did and it is not exactly unreasonable to think that they would.

    • SolarMonkey@slrpnk.netEnglish
      0·
      13 days ago

      I actually have a number of games that are Ubisoft that I love. They aren’t super new or anything, but they aren’t flops by my metrics (granted, I bought them used long after launch)

      I didn’t know they were when I got them, then the ubiconnect thing comes up and I just don’t do that, and it’s just a game that takes longer to load than it should.

      Idk about any super bad practices, maybe PC is different from console stuff? (which is how I play, hence used game market, because I can sell it later if needs must) or is this something that spans console as well? What sort of bad practices?

    • HouseWolf@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      13 days ago

      Funnily the first time I tried Linux on my desktop was because I wanted to play BF4 but the EA App refused to launch on Windows 10 even after restarting/reinstalling everything.

      I slapped Pop_OS on a backup SSD and got it running through Lutris within the hour.

      Origin was a fucking nightmare to use even on Windows, and honestly…the EA desktop app wasn’t really an improvement.

      • wreckedcarzz@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        13 days ago

        Origin was better in literally every way, but it’s predecessor, the EA Download Manager, was even better, as it wasn’t an always-online DRM piece of shit. You logged in, it listed your games, it downloaded them, and games still used a CD key.

        Though I’m still pissy, as I bought NFS Carbon and obtained it via EADM, but when they moved to Origin, existing games didn’t transfer, and there was no way to grab games for archival. So EA owes me a fucking copy of Carbon, since I didn’t have it installed when they sunset EADM.

        Fuck you, EA. In every conceivable sense of the word and action.

  • MidsizedSedan@lemmy.world
    0·
    10 days ago

    3 ubisoft games i tried to play all have diferent ubisoft launchers. (Watchdogs was free, and trackmania i still like to hunt)

  • juliebean@lemm.ee
    0·
    13 days ago

    i think you might be misunderstanding what ‘3rd party’ means. if ubisoft is making you use an ubisoft launcher to run ubisoft games, that’d be first party. here’s an article detailing what the terms mean with regards to game developers. a third party launcher would be like when you add a non-steam game to steam.

    • laurelraven@lemmy.zipEnglish
      0·
      13 days ago

      I dunno, I tend to think of the useless thing that comes up for a game I bought on Steam and run through Steam to be “third party”… Maybe that’s a stretch, but whatever, it’s just unwanted and unnecessary at that point

        • laurelraven@lemmy.zipEnglish
          0·
          12 days ago

          Yes, the launcher I use for almost all my games which gives me a single interface to install, update, and run them. It has purpose. It’s the launcher I’m actually intending to use.

          Eats Ass games (as one example) loading up their own launcher in the middle of that and providing no actual benefit other than wasting my time and resources is NOT something I choose to use.

          Whichever one is primary or third party, I don’t really care about the semantics of it, but the extra launcher that isn’t needed or wanted is what I think of when someone’s talking about third party launchers.

          • littlecolt@lemm.ee
            0·
            12 days ago

            I’m just saying, there is a clear double standard in this post/comment section in general where Valve gets a pass.

            • abbotsbury@lemmy.world
              0·
              12 days ago

              I don’t think it’s entirely a double standard. Yes Steam is still a launcher, but it’s also the marketplace I buy my games. If I bought a game on Origin or UPlay, and then Steam popped up when I was trying to play my game, that would still be bullshit.

            • laurelraven@lemmy.zipEnglish
              0·
              12 days ago

              Perhaps because Steam is the launcher we actually choose to use? That does make a big difference…

              • littlecolt@lemm.ee
                0·
                12 days ago

                I’m a fan of Steam. People will complain about monopolies but then want there to be a monopoly for this kind of software.

        • webghost0101@sopuli.xyz
          0·
          12 days ago

          Yes.

          What if i want to play the original portal game on a pc that cannot have internet? Steam does not allow me to download a straight installer, its a license with a long list of acceptable and non acceptable uses.

          Don’t get me wrong i love valve and what they have done for gaming as a concept, as a linux i would not Be able to game as i do if it was not for proton.

          But if i purchase a game i demand to own my copy.

          I actually have a database where i keep pirate and cracked copies of games i own legit licenses because i refuse to have my rights limited simply because of the possibility of a victimless crime where checks note some big corp gets slightly less profit.

          All games should be available standalone.

          And while, am speaking my software opinions

          If i buy a game license on one system it should cover that game all other platforms and systems. No more buying the same game twice just to play on different hardware. (This makes less sense if its a dedicated copy and not a license though)

          All software from hardware that is no longer receiving support must be open sourced, i am looking at you near mint first gen ipad mini. I die before you end on a landfill in such good state.

          • InternetUser2012@lemmy.today
            0·
            12 days ago

            Don’t get me wrong i love valve and what they have done for gaming as a concept, as a linux i would not Be able to game as i do if it was not for proton.

            If I’m reading you right, you’re saying you couldn’t play those games without steam because of proton? If that’s what you’re getting at, if you take your copies obtained from the high seas, you should be able to play them through lutris. It works for me.

            • webghost0101@sopuli.xyz
              0·
              12 days ago

              Oh no worries, i am technical and autistic enough to setup systems that will serve my actual needs, regardless of economic/industry expectations.

              Lutrius is great but i prefer Heroic game launcher, it can do the same but does also provides convenient acces to gog, epic and amazon licenses. I am only storing backup copies of games if i actually find it worth it to keep them, and i acquired a lot of mediocre titles over the years.

              I also do still do use steam with little hate towards it there own implementation of proton is hard to beat in its reliance. I have yet to find a single game within my steam library that fails to work properly on arch.

              Doesn’t stop me from working on my own alternative local game server parallel to it, Mhehehehe

              Regardless i still feel like i should just be able to legally download some standalone offline installer from a website for later use. Especially for older games that used to have physical copies. whether or not my system can run that installer as it is, is morally irrelevant.

    • cron@feddit.orgOP
      0·
      13 days ago

      I haven’t been playing on windows for years now, please forgive my lack of knowledge ;)

      • helenslunch@feddit.nl
        0·
        13 days ago

        Wasnt talking about Windows. Just saying most launchers work fine on Linux (at least, as well as they do on Windows).

        The problem is not the OS, its the existence of unnecessary launchers in the first place, as well the poor general functionality.

        Its just another place for them to serve you ads and inject DRM.

        Would be cool if they all got together and funded indepedent non-profit development of a cross-platform launcher with store/friends/servers, etc.

        Until then I’ll stick with Steam + HGL and nothing else.

        • MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml
          0·
          12 days ago

          at least, as well as they do on Windows

          There was this launcher for Mirrors Edge (EA i think?) that hit the security limit of 50k simultaneus opened files. Not the game, mind you.

  • Quacksalber@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    13 days ago

    How to play Ubisoft games without the Ubisoft Launcher:
    Step 1) If you’re an EU citizen, sign this petition: https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home
    If you are not in the EU, you can check if there are any other initiatives for your country here: https://www.stopkillinggames.com/
    Step 2) (Due to insurmountable pressure, which you definitely did your part in adding to, video games are now forced to have an end-of-life plan.
    Step 3) Wait until the game you want to play without the Ubi Launcher hits its end-of-life
    Step 4) Do whatever is necessary to get the game playable again, which the newly introduced law guarantees is possible
    Step 5) Enjoy your game without the Ubi launcher

  • Allero@lemmy.today
    0·
    13 days ago

    Can’t play one of my favorite MMOs on Linux because it now strictly requires the launcher that doesn’t work.

    The game works! Before transitioning to a new launcher and strict laucher-only startup, it was fine. But now…yeah.

    • bss03@infosec.pub
      0·
      12 days ago

      Some people hate it, including some independent developers. I wouldn’t mind going without it, if there was a Free Software library management alternative. I want something to track what I have installed (because I’ve “lost” things and reinstalled them before) and something that has a decent uninstall.

      I also get some benefit from the store integration, but I can understand developers being annoyed at the 30% “steam tax”. I’d gladly purchase using some other method, if I didn’t have to sacrifice library functions from previous paragraph.

    • rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee
      0·
      12 days ago

      Steam is the first party launcher as far as most of us are concerned. When another company puts their game on Steam but makes it go through their own launcher first, that is third party in our perspective and is a source of a lot of games not working.

    • nebulaone@lemmy.world
      0·
      13 days ago

      Steam is fine in my book. And I understand why it isn’t open source with how much it’s worth.

    • cron@feddit.orgOP
      0·
      13 days ago

      I could make another meme “Linux Gaming without Valve and Steam”, but it would have another picture on it…

      It’s my observation that Valve has earned the trust of the linux gaming community and therefore is the one and only acceptable proprietary launcher.

      • MajorHavoc@programming.dev
        0·
        12 days ago

        and therefore is the one and only acceptable proprietary launcher.

        Yep! But that’s only until they decide to enshitify, which they (Valve) will, because they (the humans making the correct choices today) will sell or retire.

          • Ekky@sopuli.xyzEnglish
            0·
            5 days ago

            Huh? That’s quite interesting.

            I’ve been running a hacked-together script which uses a disembodied copy of Proton 8 (aka. copied to a portable drive, doesn’t need to have Steam installed to run) to launch my games from Itch and GoG.

            Hmm, just tried to use Proton 9.0-2 and the current experimental in my steamapps (which appears to be version 9.0-202), and it works just fine. Though, I guess Lutris’ implementations are quite a bit more advanced than my hacks (no debugging let’s goooo).

            A very simplified version of my script, for those who might be interested: pastebin.com/kbNNvzAx. Don’t forget to uncomment game_exe and set it to your executable - won’t work otherwise.

            Also, pinging @DacoTaco@lemmy.world in case of interest.

    • Ibaudia@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      12 days ago

      Steam has an effective monopoly on open, marketplace-style launchers. EGS is their only real competitor and everyone hates it. GOG is years behind the curve and Amazon’s launcher barely exists. At this point in time, Steam is hardly considered third-party since it’s so ubiquitous.

        • SagXD@lemm.ee
          0·
          12 days ago

          GOG standalone or GOG Galaxy? But, It would be great if they support Linux and integrate with their own fork of Proton.

          • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
            0·
            12 days ago

            GoG galaxy

            I don’t understand why they would spend money supporting a Linux launcher. Almost all of there games are either older or very indie. They technically have Linux native games but they are very few. It is much easier to just run the Windows launcher since all the games are Windows anyway. It is all a integrated system that doesn’t need tweaking or skill to use.

      • cron@feddit.orgOP
        0·
        12 days ago

        True, only through heroic. It has been among the most wished features of GOG, yet never fulfilled.

    • the_beber@lemm.ee
      0·
      13 days ago

      Sometimes they make sense for managing mod-sets/different instances (i.e. Stellaris or most famously Minecraft.

      • secret300@lemmy.sdf.org
        0·
        13 days ago

        well yeah obviously, 3rd party launchers that are optional to use because they serve a purpose. Forced launchers like uplay and origin are the issue. they serve no purpose and offer a worse experience for the user and are forced on your system. Back in my day when a piece of software came with something else that pops up on your screen and runs in the background bogging down your system and collecting data, we considered that a virus.

        • dan@upvote.au
          0·
          13 days ago

          Forced launchers like uplay and origin are the issue

          These are usually first-party though (made by the same company that makes the game), not third-party.