Is the Bethesda Launcher Still a Thing? An Obituary for a Gaming Relic
No, the Bethesda.net launcher is no longer in use. It was officially shut down on May 11, 2022. All games purchased through the launcher were migrated to Steam.
The Rise and Fall of a Launcher
Back in the day, every major game publisher seemed to think they needed their own PC game launcher. Bethesda, following in the footsteps of giants like EA and Ubisoft, launched the Bethesda.net launcher to distribute its games directly to players, bypassing the perceived “tax” of Steam. This was a common practice, aiming to keep a larger share of revenue and maintain greater control over the user experience.
The Bethesda launcher housed a collection of games including Fallout 76, DOOM Eternal, and older classics. Like most publishers, Bethesda Softworks created a PC game launcher for downloading and installing its games without the need for Steam.
However, the fragmentation of the PC gaming market, with users needing multiple launchers for different publishers, created a frustrating experience. As the market matured, the advantages of having a dedicated launcher began to diminish, and the drawbacks, like the complexity and user annoyance, became more apparent. Ultimately, Bethesda decided to sunset the launcher and embrace the convenience and ubiquity of Steam.
The Great Migration: Sending Games to Steam
Recognizing that players had invested time and money into the Bethesda.net launcher, Bethesda took the commendable step of offering a migration path to Steam. Starting on April 27, 2022, players could transfer their purchased games, wallet funds, and in many cases, even game saves to their Steam accounts. This process was relatively straightforward, involving linking Bethesda.net and Steam accounts and initiating the transfer.
Why the Shutdown?
While Bethesda never explicitly stated all the reasons behind the shutdown, several factors likely contributed to the decision:
- Market Consolidation: Steam remains the dominant force in PC game distribution. Fighting against that tide requires significant investment and effort.
- User Convenience: Players generally prefer having their games in one central location.
- Resource Allocation: Maintaining a separate launcher requires ongoing development, maintenance, and support. Resources could be better used elsewhere.
- Acquisition by Microsoft: Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Bethesda’s parent company, likely played a role. Microsoft has a strong relationship with Steam, and it might have seen less value in maintaining a separate launcher.
The Bethesda.net launcher is a thing of the past, a digital ghost in the annals of PC gaming history. As gaming and learning evolve, we can look to resources like the Games Learning Society to understand the broader context of these changes. You can explore more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Remembering the Bethesda Launcher
1. Can I still use the Bethesda.net launcher?
No, the Bethesda.net launcher is no longer functional. It shut down on May 11, 2022.
2. What happened to my Bethesda launcher games?
If you owned games on the Bethesda.net launcher, you should have migrated them to Steam. If you didn’t, contact Bethesda support to see if it’s still possible.
3. How do I migrate my Bethesda launcher games to Steam now?
While the official migration period has passed, it’s worth contacting Bethesda support to see if they can still assist with transferring your games.
4. Did I lose my games if I didn’t migrate them?
Potentially. While Bethesda offered a grace period for migration, it is unclear if transfers are still possible through conventional means. Contact Bethesda support.
5. Will Fallout 76 still require a Bethesda.net account?
No, not directly through the old launcher. Launching Fallout 76 on Steam prompts a login to Bethesda.net, and you will automatically log into that account the next time you launch the game.
6. Does DOOM Eternal still require the Bethesda launcher?
No, not directly through the old launcher. Launching DOOM Eternal on Steam prompts a login to Bethesda.net, and you will automatically log into that account the next time you launch the game.
7. Can I delete the Bethesda launcher from my computer?
Yes, absolutely. Since it’s no longer in use, you can safely uninstall it. From your Start menu, select Settings. Select System, then Apps & features. Located the Bethesda.net Launcher, and then select Uninstall. Allow the process to complete.
8. Why did Bethesda decide to shut down the launcher?
Several factors likely contributed: market consolidation around Steam, user preference for a centralized library, resource allocation considerations, and Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media.
9. Are all Bethesda games now exclusive to Xbox and PC?
While Microsoft has stated that some new Bethesda games will be exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC, not all games will be. It depends on the specific title. Starfield is the first brand-new IP to come from Bethesda in decades and has predictably set the studio’s fan base ablaze with anticipation. With over 1,000 planets for players to freely explore, it is no wonder that Microsoft has ensured that the hopeful title is exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC.
10. Does this affect my ability to mod Bethesda games?
No, the shutdown of the Bethesda launcher shouldn’t affect your ability to mod Bethesda games. Modding is typically handled through other platforms or directly within the game files. Bethesda developers encourages the community to create mods so that the player can make the game how they want it to be. It is also advantageous to the devs since it lets them release buggy atrocities, because they know the community will fix it for them.
11. What about the Bethesda wallet funds I had in the launcher?
These funds should have been transferred to your Steam wallet during the migration process. Check your Steam wallet balance. If you didn’t, contact Bethesda support.
12. Why did Bethesda sue Minecraft?
It’s been over six months since Bethesda decided to sue Mojang, the developer behind Minecraft, because of the indie studio’s decision to name an upcoming project “Scrolls.” Now that lawsuit is officially ended with both parties apparently pleased.
13. What happened to Mojang?
Minecraft maker Mojang is being sued over the way it gives gamers access to mobile versions of the game. Texas-based Uniloc claims to own the patent that covers the way users are authorised to play via a phone. Mojang founder Markus Persson said he would “throw piles of money” into the legal fight against the claim. Mojang blamed the ongoing pandemic for the decision to shut down the game Minecraft Earth.
14. Who owns Bethesda now?
Microsoft acquired Bethesda after hearing Starfield would be exclusive to PlayStation – The Verge. Microsoft has closed its $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda.
15. Why is Bethesda Games called Bethesda?
Weaver formed Bethesda Softworks “on the proverbial kitchen table” of his Bethesda home as a division of Media Technology on June 28, 1986.