2K launcher update makes gamers celebrate

Key points

2K Games has removed its launcher from all games on Epic and Steam, making the launch process easier for players.
The update impacts game launches in several ways, but players can now easily launch games directly on Steam and Epic.
Games like XCOM 2 will still retain their original launcher mod for players who enjoy community content.

The players have a reason to celebrate 2K games announced a move called “Complete Sunset”, removing its launcher from all games on Epic and Steam. Furthermore, 2K Games has also extracted the beta of 2K Launcher The Civilization of Sid Meier 5. This removal means that players will no longer have to take an extra step to play games on Steam or Epic, as they will now be able to launch them directly from the platforms.

Publisher-specific launchers have frustrated players for various reasons, most notably due to their impact on game performance and unnecessary integration. These launchers can make playing games on platforms like Steam more complicated, often leading players to question the necessity of their existence. Many find the launcher adds little value, sometimes introducing compatibility issues or even preventing games from launching. However, after 2K Games' announcement, gamers now have a reason to celebrate.

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On November 18, the company announced what it calls a “Full Sunset,” revealing that the 2K Launcher will no longer be required for any of its supported games. Later, in an update announced in a blog post, 2K Games confirmed the removal of the launcher by replacing its folder with a text file to confirm the change. Players can delete this file and clean up any remaining launcher-related files by following a guide made available by 2K. Players who enjoyed the removal of the 2K launcher from Civilization 6 Now I have an even better reason to be happy.

2K Games confirms the removal of the launcher from Epic and Steam

The update affects each game a little differently, but the goal is to make things easier for everyone. For example, games like BioShock remastered, BioShock 2 remastered, BioShock Infinite, The QuarryAND Marvel's Midnight Suns they will now all launch directly into the game. Definitive edition of the Mafia trilogy will go directly into gameplay, but will require players to follow some additional steps detailed in 2K Games' blog post to ensure it works properly. For games like XCOM2still maintains its original launcher mod for those who like to use community content. Players of The Civilization of Sid Meier 5 on Steam you'll also see that the game now uses its own launch options, such as choosing between DirectX 9 or DirectX 10/11.

For those who still find remnants of the launcher files on their computers, the company has provided guides to help users completely clean their systems of old files. In response to user concerns regarding the 2K Launcher when playing Steam games, the developers have provided clarifications in their FAQ. If the 2K Launcher still appears after launching a game, simply restarting Steam should fix the problem, as changes to launch options only take effect after the restart. For any lingering issues, the developer encouraged players to submit a support ticket.

For those who have spent years looking for ways to bypass the launcher, this update seems like a welcome change. It simplifies the user experience and allows fans to focus more on gameplay and less on technical issues.