Rockstar Video games releases a PC launcher for some motive

Rockstar this week joined the ranks of sport publishers who’ve launched their very own PC sport libraries. The Rockstar Video games Launcher is now out there for Home windows customers… and hopefully the signal of a brand new launch to return.

The launcher, in accordance with Rockstar Video games, features as a mix storefront and assortment for already-owned Rockstar video games. Supposedly it permits you to entry any video games you already personal, each these bought from different digital shops and people on bodily discs. It additionally helps cloud saves and computerized sport updates. It’s a wonderfully acceptable launcher, however that also doesn’t clarify its existence.

Obtain the Rockstar Video games Launcher for PC and get Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas FREE: https://t.co/nt1B0PsH7t pic.twitter.com/1AW6gQKUNj

— Rockstar Video games (@RockstarGames) September 17, 2019

Aside from following the chief, it’s laborious to see Rockstar’s reasoning behind such a launcher. It isn’t Ubisoft, which releases a brand new sport roughly each harvest moon; neither is it EA or Activision Blizzard, which keep giant multiplayer communities. I’m fairly glad it’s not like these different publishers, however that also doesn’t spell out what function this launcher serves that couldn’t be fulfilled by Steam or the Epic Retailer.

The difficulty is, the Launcher is now necessary for enjoying Rockstar video games on PC. Ars Technica experiences being unable to launch GTA V with out it after having it put in. In order that’s enjoyable.

In fact, should you’ve been a pupil of Rockstar’s current patterns of conduct, there’s an additional layer of irony right here. Rockstar has, not less than with reference to its most up-to-date video games, handled its PC releases as much-delayed afterthought. That’s to not say the video games which can be on PC are unhealthy — fairly the opposite. I fairly get pleasure from seeing a superb GTA PC mod from time to time. However they’re usually launched fairly far behind the console model — most likely in a (profitable) bid to increase gross sales, however nonetheless lengthy after the console crowd could have completed the sport. Heck, Rockstar nonetheless hasn’t launched both of the Pink Lifeless Redemption video games on PC.

However maybe it is a lead-in to exactly that. A RDR PC launch, even when it’s simply the primary sport, could be a reasonably candy incentive to get individuals to obtain an in any other case superfluous video games launcher. With the variety of video games launchers out there on PC, it’d take one thing simply that spectacular. In any other case, why would anybody hassle? I’ve received about seven launchers energetic on any given day — why would I hassle?

Oh wait, you may get a free copy of GTA: San Andreas should you obtain it now? Properly… okay, effective.