A Long-Awaited Goodbye
The 2K Launcher, often criticized by players for its clunky performance, has officially been sunset. In a recent forum post, 2K confirmed that the launcher has been “removed from every game that used it on Epic and Steam.” This marks the end of a divisive feature that had been a point of frustration for many gamers.
The 2K Launcher Beta, a separate experimental version, has also been retired. Specifically, it has been removed from Sid Meier’s Civilization V.
What Players Can Expect
On November 25, a follow-up update was deployed via Steam to ensure the complete removal of the launcher. “You may notice the 2KLauncher folder was replaced with a text file called 2kLauncherRemoved.txt. This file isn’t needed, and you can safely delete it,” the company explained.
2K acknowledged that the removal process may impact games differently, stating it will have “varying degrees of complexity” depending on the title. For instance, the update allows XCOM 2 players to enable mods on Steam Deck, a feature previously hindered by the launcher.
Affected Titles
Several popular 2K games are impacted by the removal, including:
- BioShock Remastered
- BioShock Infinite
- The Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
- Sid Meier’s Civilization V
- XCOM 2
- XCOM: Chimera Squad
Save Data and Purchases Are Safe
In an FAQ accompanying the announcement, 2K reassured players that the removal of the launcher will not affect save files or previously purchased content.
However, the company noted that some residual 2K Launcher files might need to be manually deleted. Players may also need to restart platforms like Steam to resolve any potential issues with launching games after the update.
A Smoother Experience Moving Forward
The retirement of the 2K Launcher is likely to be welcomed by many players who have criticized its performance and necessity. With its removal, users can expect a more straightforward experience when launching their favorite 2K titles.
For more details on the removal and how it may impact specific games, visit the 2K Support Forum.