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Off-Topic Discussion => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: deathspeed on January 29, 2019, 11:02:01 pm

Title: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: deathspeed on January 29, 2019, 11:02:01 pm

A while back I was looking for a launcher that would show and launch all of my games, instead of having to check Steam, GOG Galaxy, Uplay, Origin, and whatever other locally installed games I had such as Crimson Skies, C&C3, etc.  The My Games tab of the Windows 10 Xbox app list some, but not all.  The game has to be pinned to the Start menu for the app to pick it up.  I've have mixed results adding non-Steam games to the Steam app.  I checked out Launchbox, but I don't remember why I wasn't crazy about it. 

I had stopped looking, but then today in a forum post on Ars Technica, someone mentioned Playnite (https://playnite.link/).  This seems to be exactly what I was looking for.  On startup it has an import process that checks for the services above, and it will launch from the service if required.  You can scan any folder for games, and you can manually select games it does not recognize.  It can even display Steam, GOG, etc. games that are not currently installed.

Just thought I would share, in case anyone else is looking for anything similar.

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: MP-Ryan on January 30, 2019, 12:07:39 pm

Does it require you to have the services themselves running?  E.g. do I then have to have Steam, Origin, GOG Galaxy, Epic, etc etc all running in background, or will it launch the service process and then the game?

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: deathspeed on January 30, 2019, 05:41:54 pm

It does not seem to require them to be running, but it will open them if required to launch the game.  I just tried Destiny 2, and it launched Battle.net then the game itself.  Same with Watch Dogs and Uplay. 

I keep finding more features and settings to play with.  :)  I've also notice a few games the automatic scans did not pick up, but it is easy to add them manually.

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: jr2 on January 31, 2019, 12:35:07 am

Holy cow, great spot!!  Been using (rather, not using) LaunchBox, but this appears much more polished and the UI is a lot more pleasant.  Thanks for sharing!

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: Sushi on February 11, 2019, 11:33:16 am

Playnite is really nice and developing at a good pace. +1 to endorsements.

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: Colonol Dekker on February 11, 2019, 02:05:11 pm

I'll add a reminder to check this out.   Sounds like a win.

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: deathspeed on February 11, 2019, 08:51:42 pm

I was just about to write that the only game I am aware of that I could not get it to recognize was Fortnite.  Then I checked for Playnite updates, and they have added an Epic Games launcher extension.  :)

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: Sushi on March 07, 2019, 04:41:16 pm

I've been watching the development of this and I'm really pleased with the pace and solidness of new updates.

Now I just need it to cross-sync with Steam categories and include a "pick me a random game" button and I'm set.

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: karajorma on March 10, 2019, 12:41:15 am

I gave this a try and it decided because I live in China that I must want Chinese metadata even though my language option is set to English. I'll contact them about this bug in a bit.

Title: Re: The search is over - Playnite universal game launcher
Post by: deathspeed on March 10, 2019, 10:33:21 am

While I can add Knossos itself, I have not figured out a way to add Knossos-installed standalones like Diaspora.  But for my old pre-Knossos versions I can simply select the game's .exe to add to Playnite.