What does the launcher do with regard to the operation of the game that cannot be done within the actual game itself? Is it due to a technical limitation or simply there for the convenience of the players? Are there alternatives to such methods of starting the execution of games?
It usually makes it easier to centralize authentication. But more importantly (from the company’s perspective), it gives the game producer a chance to upsell other products and micro-transaction content.
I don’t think I’ve seen games do that, not even to advertise other games from the same publisher/developer. But then, the only five games I’ve played with a launcher are three MMOs, Genshin, and Honkai Star Rail.
This.
Don’t forget that the game producer can now collect and sell data on their customers’ systems.
With no privacy laws on the books in the USA, there’s literally nothing stopping them, and a lot of incentive to do it.
They can and do that without a launcher LMAO