Civilization 6 Removes Unpopular Feature

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Civilization 6 Removes Unpopular Feature

Highlights

  • The Steam version of Civilization 6 has removed the 2K launcher.
  • The EGS version of the game will follow suit in the future.
  • Civilization 7 won’t use the 2K launcher.

As a seasoned PC gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude towards Firaxis for dropping the 2K launcher from Civilization 6. The unpopular feature has been a thorn in our side for far too long, making game launches more convoluted than necessary.

2K launcher has been taken out from the game “Civilization 6”. This controversial element was eliminated during the recent August 2024 update for “Civilization 6”.

Despite frequent complaints from PC gamers about publisher-specific launchers, these programs remain prevalent since they offer publishers a direct sales channel without the need for intermediary marketplaces. However, these third-party launchers can make starting Steam games more troublesome, a point of frustration often expressed by PC gaming enthusiasts.

Civilization 6 Drops 2K Launcher

Firaxis has addressed player complaints about the 2K launcher in Civilization 6 by taking it out of the game as part of the latest update, which was released on August 14. Initially, this change is only available for Steam users, but Firaxis plans to remove the 2K launcher from the Epic Games Store version too, although they haven’t specified a specific date for doing so. The updated Epic Games Store (EGS) version of Civilization 6 has not been committed to a definite timeline yet.

Civilization 7 Won’t Use 2K Launcher

Going forward, the developer has affirmed that the PC version of the upcoming “Civilization 7” will not feature the 2K launcher. A representative from Firaxis attributed this decision to player feedback, as they found the feature to be widely disliked. However, it’s important to note that while this change may indicate a future without the 2K launcher in Firaxis’ games beyond the “Civilization” series, the company has not yet explicitly confirmed this. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether the developer is considering removing the launcher from other PC games they have produced that use it, such as “Marvel’s Midnight Suns”, “XCOM 2”, and “Civilization 5”.

2K Launcher, a feature often met with resistance from players, gained even more criticism when 2K’s studios began incorporating it into certain PC games that initially lacked it upon release. For instance, the inclusion of the 2K launcher in the Bioshock trilogy sparked quite a contentious debate in 2022.

Earlier, the game Civilization 6 required the use of the 2K launcher for users to toggle between its DirectX 11 and 12 versions. However, this additional software is no longer needed as players can now make their choice using a straightforward DirectX prompt that appears before the game commences. Additionally, it’s been announced that Civilization 7 will be showcased at Gamescom 2024. During the Opening Night Live event on August 20, we can expect to see a gameplay unveiling for this upcoming title.

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2024-08-18 20:54