this post was submitted on 31 Jan 2024
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Is there a universal launcher like Lutris available for Windows? I was looking to build a gaming HTPC and want to interface with it with just only a controller, just like a console.
Playnite. Combines all games from all connected launchers into one and configurable/themeable to your hearts desire
I use Playnite. It automatically adds all you games from all famous launchers, lets you add games manually, download the meta data for it and has theme and plugin support.
Does steam count? I use it to launch non-steam games.
From other launchers like Itch, Epic & GOG as well?
You can add them as shortcuts. UWP need a tool to set them up in steam, but you can do them too.
They'll still need to open the other launchers to run, but it's about as close to seamless as you'll get. You can make Windows log in automatically, not lock when it sleeps, and launch to steam big picture mode. It might take a search or two to set up, but after it's (minus windows being windows) relatively out of your way.
You can do the same with Linux, but you lose anticheat games and setting up other launchers is more work.
You don't need any extra tools. A basic function of Steam is "Add non-Steam Game" it's the little + symbol at the bottom left of the window. Find the .exe of the game you want to add, click, and it's in your steam library now. You'll want to add custom artwork, but it works. If the game launches in a separate launcher, that launcher will launch from steam of course.
(not for windows, OS) Maybe have a look at Bazzite? It's supposed to be a SteamOS but Fedora based. I've been meaning to have a look at it eventually, so i dont know how it actually is, maybe it's garbage for all i know
There is ChimeraOS too, based on Arch.
The problem with Linux is that you will always have to tolerate a nontrivial section of games being straight-up unavailable, of games breaking, running suboptimally and requiring hacky solutions to run, and the complete absence of first-party support from hardware manufacturers and game developers. It's not suitable for HTPCs despite having terrific UI unfortunately.
I'm hoping it gets to the point where lutris/proton/other compatibility layers are automatically sorted out by the OS and whatever you install would use what it needs. Maybe a fool's dream ¯\(ツ)/¯
Launchbox. But the 10foot controller interface is behind a paywall with a weird scheme.
Playnite.
Seconding Playnite, works stupidly well with everything from emulators (it can even download and install them to folders from within if you want that), and with add-ons shit gets wild