It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussionSo what do you use instead of GOG Galaxy?(69 posts)(69 posts)
(69 posts)
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
This is my favourite topic
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
vv221: I do not use some kind of game-specific launcher (what would be the point?).
No point for Single Player mode, unless you are wanting to use some kind of MOD or MAP (level).
DOSBox for those games that require it, is a launcher and or emulation environment.
avatar
pds41: Mainly shorthand. People intuitively understood what we were saying.
Those in the know anyway, not all are so savvy ... certainly about what the other programs listed do.
Post edited February 25, 2021 by Timboli
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
Cavalary: Always wondered how do those programs check that. It must be listed somewhere, right? So it should be accessible even without using them.
They exist for sure, but are not easily accessible and require using the GOG SDK and a bit of trickery. They are not on some GOG web page you can just visit, though other customers have built up their own databases, that need to be continually maintained, certainly where game updates have happened. GOG it appears, don't give access to older files, at the very least having relocated them somewhere we don't have access to. That's why some customers have had download issues, when a game gets updated while they are still downloading.

Here is an explanation of how to get MD5 values.

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/gogrepopy_python_script_for_regularly_backing_up_your_purchased_gog_collection_for_full_offline_e/post2694
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
ariaspi: I've found that the MD5s for the .bin files are actually stored in the .exe file. Search for a "gogcrcstring".
Oh, thanks, that's handy!
avatar
Timboli: Here is an explanation of how to get MD5 values.

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/gogrepopy_python_script_for_regularly_backing_up_your_purchased_gog_collection_for_full_offline_e/post2694
Oh. That's rather too much hassle for it. And if there are .bin files, as long as the .exe opens, it should be fine, so this would only be relevant for smaller games, where the entire installer is the one file. Still, you'd think they'd make it somewhat easier. Or that the .exe would also check itself and have the checksum inside as it does for the .bins...
Posted February 25, 2021
Honestly I wonder why they didn't just focus on maintaining GOG Galaxy 1 instead because GOG Galaxy 2 is all kinds of bloat. Also it's just unstable as it is so not what sure else to add on that.

Anyways, I store offline installers for games that are basically finalized (not receiving patches anymore) into external hard drives, I got no problem launching directly from the executables of games. I mainly play single-player too, not many multiplayer games I find interesting lately.
Post edited February 25, 2021 by GuyNamedErick
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
Cavalary: Oh. That's rather too much hassle for it. And if there are .bin files, as long as the .exe opens, it should be fine, so this would only be relevant for smaller games, where the entire installer is the one file. Still, you'd think they'd make it somewhat easier. Or that the .exe would also check itself and have the checksum inside as it does for the .bins...
I'm afraid it doesn't quite work that way.

I'll start with the last first.
Once you create the EXE (installer file), then you get an MD5 for it. If you then embed the MD5 value, you have in fact altered the EXE file, so the MD5 value is no longer applicable. There is just no way around that, except providing the MD5 value externally.

When you open or run the EXE file, it may or may not check any associated (companion) BIN files at that point. When you start installing though, and it extracts each file, it may then do MD5 checking of each file as it is extracted.

As many would know, some GOG games take an age to install, certainly the large ones. No doubt that is why.

EDIT
I recommend having a try with InnoExtract in Test mode, and you will see what is being revealed in the console.
A simple way to do that, is with my GOGPlus Download Checker program.

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/gogplus_download_checker
Post edited February 25, 2021 by Timboli
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
Timboli: Once you create the EXE (installer file), then you get an MD5 for it. If you then embed the MD5 value, you have in fact altered the EXE file, so the MD5 value is no longer applicable. There is just no way around that, except providing the MD5 value externally.
Good point, somehow slipped my mind. Sorry about that. They should still list it somewhere though.
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
Timboli: DOSBox for those games that require it, is a launcher and or emulation environment.
When I write about "games launcher", what I have in mind is some applications menu that would be specific to games, like Steam, Galaxy or Lutris. And that would be better than a regular applications menu for some reason, this last part being where I am not convinced by these launchers ;)

Of course for some games I have to use emulators (DOSBox), translation layers (WINE) or alternative engines (ScummVM), but I would never think of these as any kind of "launcher".

As for the relation between launchers and mods/maps, I don't think I get it. I can of course install mods or any kind of extra content for my games without going through some launcher.
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
vv221: When I write about "games launcher", what I have in mind is some applications menu that would be specific to games, like Steam, Galaxy or Lutris. And that would be better than a regular applications menu for some reason, this last part being where I am not convinced by these launchers ;)

Of course for some games I have to use emulators (DOSBox), translation layers (WINE) or alternative engines (ScummVM), but I would never think of these as any kind of "launcher".
Well my short answer, is that there are many game launchers out there, and really Galaxy and Steam etc are Clients ... they do far more than just launch a game. A true game launcher just launches the game, and has very few features.

avatar
vv221: As for the relation between launchers and mods/maps, I don't think I get it. I can of course install mods or any kind of extra content for my games without going through some launcher.
Well I have used many game launchers over the years, with games like Quake and Doom and Blood and beyond, that can present a GUI that has a list of levels you might want to start in and or MODS you might want to use. Of course, many games do let you gain access through a console or you can create your own BAT type file too. But they require effort on your part though, while a game launcher simplifies it all. Some support LAN play.
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
_Auster_: On Windows, rarely Playnite (although I use Playnite for IndieGala, mostly). Usually, I just install the drm free installers and link the installed games to Winlaunch (which is similar to OSX's launchpad). It also helps to not cluster my desktop or have to navigate a maze of folders and files
On Ubuntu, I do the same as in Windows with Winlaunch, but using the default launchpad instead. And if the game doesn't get linked there automatically, I add it there through the Alacarte app/tool (which can be downloaded from the terminal)
Fair enough. I just live in an age where the desktop is more a suggestion than anything, and my launcher is just dmenu in my primary desktop; it's Sway.
avatar
GuyNamedErick: Honestly I wonder why they didn't just focus on maintaining GOG Galaxy 1 instead because GOG Galaxy 2 is all kinds of bloat. Also it's just unstable as it is so not what sure else to add on that.

Anyways, I store offline installers for games that are basically finalized (not receiving patches anymore) into external hard drives, I got no problem launching directly from the executables of games. I mainly play single-player too, not many multiplayer games I find interesting lately.
I'm going to assume they hit some kind of snag or barricade. Or whoever was working on Galaxy 1 just up and left.
Post edited February 25, 2021 by Darvond
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
vv221: Of course for some games I have to use emulators (DOSBox), translation layers (WINE) or alternative engines (ScummVM), but I would never think of these as any kind of "launcher".
yep, I would call something that manages my DOSBOX games a front end rather. WINE would be more specifically a wrapper? And ScummVM is an emulator who also has a built in game manager.
Post edited February 25, 2021 by Dogmaus
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
Timboli: Well I have used many game launchers over the years, with games like Quake and Doom and Blood and beyond, that can present a GUI that has a list of levels you might want to start in and or MODS you might want to use.
OK, that’s as I assumed then: we do not use the word "launcher" to talk about the same thing ;)

Of course this kind of pre-game menu some games come with, allowing to tweak some settings before the game actual launch, are called "launchers" too. But this is not what I expect to talk about in a thread titled "So what do you use instead of GOG Galaxy?".
Posted February 25, 2021
I use the python CLI-script https://github.com/Kalanyr/gogrepoc

Don't need any stinking GUI messing up more than windows already does :D
Posted February 25, 2021
avatar
Timboli: Well I have used many game launchers over the years, with games like Quake and Doom and Blood and beyond, that can present a GUI that has a list of levels you might want to start in and or MODS you might want to use.
avatar
vv221: OK, that’s as I assumed then: we do not use the word "launcher" to talk about the same thing ;)

Of course this kind of pre-game menu some games come with, allowing to tweak some settings before the game actual launch, are called "launchers" too. But this is not what I expect to talk about in a thread titled "So what do you use instead of GOG Galaxy?".
There can indeed be some confusion about terms.
I've heard them called stores, platforms, launchers, and clients.
Stores can refer to the site, platforms to console/PC, launchers used to launch a single game or multiple..and clients.
Clients are usually bound to a store though. So that doesn't take into account ..Playism, is that right?

Maybe something else would fit better..hmm
Posted February 26, 2021
avatar
Vendor-Lazarus: I've heard them called stores, platforms, launchers, and clients.
To make it more clear, what I have been calling a "games launcher" in this thread is the part of an all-in-one games client that is dedicated to running games. A full client would be something like a downloader, a database and a launcher. (and probably extra "social" features on top of that)
Posted February 26, 2021
avatar
vv221: To make it more clear, what I have been calling a "games launcher" in this thread is the part of an all-in-one games client that is dedicated to running games. A full client would be something like a downloader, a database and a launcher. (and probably extra "social" features on top of that)
And primarily the intent of the thread, I suppose one could throw a "Games Organizer" into the pile of term.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionSo what do you use instead of GOG Galaxy?(69 posts)(69 posts)
(69 posts)