In a significant shift for its digital distribution strategy, 2K, the publisher behind renowned titles such as BioShock, Mafia, and Civilization, has officially discontinued its PC games launcher. This decision was communicated through a blog post on Tuesday, where the company confirmed that the launcher has been removed from all games utilizing it on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Transitioning to a Streamlined Experience
Alongside the closure of the primary launcher, 2K has also eliminated the “2K Launcher Beta” from Sid Meier’s Civilization V. The use of PC launchers has been a common practice among publishers, intended to facilitate game launches. However, many players have expressed frustration with these additional layers, citing various complications that can arise during gameplay initiation.
In its announcement, 2K outlined potential challenges that players might encounter following the removal of the launcher. The company advised users to take specific steps to ensure a smooth transition: “We’ve done the heavy lifting, but to take it all the way home there might be one step left for you,” the post stated. Players are encouraged to completely close and reopen Steam, rather than simply minimizing the application. Additionally, rebooting the PC is recommended to confirm the changes have taken effect. For those using Epic Games, ensuring the latest game update is installed is essential.
With this update, titles such as BioShock Remastered, BioShock 2 Remastered, BioShock Infinite, The Quarry, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns will now launch directly when users click Play, enhancing the overall user experience. However, certain games, including Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition and XCOM 2, may still face unique issues, particularly regarding mod support, which previously relied on the launcher.
