GOG Galaxy 2.0 will allow users to add games from multiple platforms to their profile

Derangel

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https://www.gogalaxy.com/en/

GOG just announced a new version of their Galaxy launcher. Version 2.0 is a massive overhaul to the application.

Add Games from Other Platforms
In addition to games on GOG the company is promising that users will be able to link to other digital platforms and will even allow users to add games not attached to a specific platform (installed physical games and DRM free stuff from places like Humble). You will be able to install and launch games tied to other platforms as well. The "add any game" feature will allow users to add console games to their library but they, obviously, won't be able to install or launch from Galaxy.

Game Stats from Other Platforms
What it sounds like. Galaxy will track achievements, hours played, and games owned on other platforms connected to it.

Single Friend List and Cross-Platform Chat
Galaxy 2.0 will combine friend lists from other PC digital platforms (I assume they won't have any way to make it work with consoles) and allow users to chat with those friends, even if the friend is logged into another platform. For example: You could use Galaxy to chat with someone logged into Steam Community.

No Spying or Data Sharing
Galaxy will not share any user or system data with other platforms nor will it share data with any 3rd parties. GOG claims the app itself will not spy on the user's system and any imported data (from other platforms in order to link accounts, stats, etc) can be deleted from their servers with a single click.

Open-Source Ingratiation
Galaxy's platform integration will be open-source and allow users to create their own integrations.

Cloud Stuff
As is the usual case with stuff these days, Galaxy 2.0 will allow users to make use of "the cloud" to sync library changes, customizations, and the like between systems. Cloud saves are also part of 2.0

Other Stuff
Galaxy 2.0 will apparently have a lot of customization and stat options. Auto-Update, with the ability to rollback to previous updates. Multiplayer and matchmaking services for titles using GOG's MP service.

The source page also provides a FAQ with more information. I am just going to highlight their expanded privacy commitment.

GOG said:
  • Will GOG GALAXY 2.0 spy on my computer?
    No. We’re not in the business of users’ data. GOG GALAXY 2.0 is only importing information from connected platforms – you always know what is imported through official integrations. Additionally we’ve made the community created integrations open-source, to ensure the transparency of imported data.
  • How can I delete my data from GOG GALAXY 2.0Once you have disconnected a platform from GOG GALAXY 2.0, we will remove all your imported data from our servers.
 
This is a nice little improvement however I am skeptical..

I don't see any announcement that Galaxy 2.0 will support Linux, which has been LONG awaited since Galaxy's launch. Next, while i'm glad the integrations are open source, I wonder about the rest of it. Most of these other features including stats/friends lists/cross-platform this and that can either already be done by to some degree Steam natively, as well as fully open source game organizers like Lutris and Playnite

While this is a step forward, what would really be helpful is a unified API for multiplayer, and other features. Steam has a lot of this already available as open source or on their API , but in an era where we're seeing every bloody knock off store trying to create its own separate platform, we need universal standards for both things like achievements, multiplay, and other features (ie Steam workshop), but for registering games - so would have any given game, on any given platform that supports it - thus divorcing the "platform" experience from the game sale itself.

Galaxy 2.0 is a nice step forward, but there's still a lot to do and there are some things it (at least so far) hasnn't announced. I hope to see this change as I feel GOG is one of the very few non-Steam platforms that had some merit, but its features were always way below Steam and games sold on it were often considered "second class" citizens in terms of updates, features and multiplay. I'd love to see this remedied, but a lot of this doesnt' just depend on GOG, but benevolent actors like Steam, and beyond.
 
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This is a nice little improvement however I am skeptical..

I don't see any announcement that Galaxy 2.0 will support Linux, which has been LONG awaited since Galaxy's launch. Next, while i'm glad the integrations are open source, I wonder about the rest of it. Most of these other features including stats/friends lists/cross-platform this and that can either already be done by to some degree Steam natively, as well as fully open source game organizers like Lutris and Playnite

While this is a step forward, what would really be helpful is a unified API for multiplayer, and other features. Steam has a lot of this already available as open source or on their API , but in an era where we're seeing every bloody knock off store trying to create its own separate platform, we need universal standards for both things like achievements, multiplay, and other features (ie Steam workshop), but for registering games - so would have any given game, on any given platform that supports it - thus divorcing the "platform" experience from the game sale itself.

Galaxy 2.0 is a nice step forward, but there's still a lot to do and there are some things it (at least so far) hasnn't announced. I hope to see this change as I feel GOG is one of the very few non-Steam platforms that had some merit, but its features were always way below Steam and games sold on it were often considered "second class" citizens in terms of updates, features and multiplay. I'd love to see this remedied, but a lot of this doesnt' just depend on GOG, but benevolent actors like Steam, and beyond.

Achievements aren't a need, they are a want/desire lol. Actually a significant difference there.
 
That's smart of them. While everyone else is trying to create their own platform in a walled garden, Galaxy might be the best option to run on the multitudes of platforms taking up space in your system tray.
 
This sounds awesome. I'll wait until it rolls out alpha and read some reviews before I jump in. I've got about a half dozen digital video services right now and none of them truly unites everything correctly. I know that's apples and oranges but I'm still skeptical until I hear differently. Either way, good for them for being smart enough to move forward with this.

edit: I admit it will be incredible to go back to one launcher again.
 
Achievements aren't a need, they are a want/desire lol. Actually a significant difference there.

When we're talking about a platform/client, most things aside from "allows you to download and play the game" is technically a "want/desire vs need", but it doesn't mean they don't have significant benefits. In fact, the reason why Steam is by far the paramount full featured user-respecting client is because they deliver on more useful features than anyone else, and of course why Epic Games Store's lack of even a shopping cart and basic functionality shows the other end, the bare minimum; all other clients are somewhere between these two.

Of course, I think we need to get away from proprietary clients - we've seen what can happen with all of these fractured break away incompatible clients and especially the horrid conduct of Epic in relation to their Store (ie platform/client exclusivity by contract). Thus, its time to divorce the "client/platform" from the "store" experience or at least make an attempt, but offering the kind of standards I mentioned earlier, allowing players to buy where they want, use what clients they want and have them all communicate and interoperate.

When it comes to achievements, I don't think we should undervalue them as they've become a core expected part of gaming over the past 15ish years or so. They provide aspiration to content, record of completion, and in some cases some sort of reward be it unlocks for that game or something platform related (ie UPlay's one good feature is that gameplay aquired points can be redeemed for content). I've seen people want to buy games on one console or platform so that their achievements/score etc.. will be native/count there! There are differing standards for achievements predicated on varying platforms and ideally if there could be a single, interoperable standard it would benefit everyone involved.
 
The thing about Galaxy is that since it's not a DRM manager there's not a whole lot of reason to even open it. I'll check it occasionally in case a game needs to be updated, or to see if some new release is on there because I'd prefer to buy it from them if possible (although it's rare for big non-CDPR titles to appear), but in general I don't have it running at all.
 
The thing about Galaxy is that since it's not a DRM manager there's not a whole lot of reason to even open it. I'll check it occasionally in case a game needs to be updated, or to see if some new release is on there because I'd prefer to buy it from them if possible (although it's rare for big non-CDPR titles to appear), but in general I don't have it running at all.

Same. Depending on how this works out that might change. I have a pretty good idea if what games I own on which digital platforms, but having them all linked into something like this (without needing a 3rd party program like Playnite) would be really nice and convenient.
 
I hope that GOG can integrate with the Steam workshop thing for Cities: Skylines.
 
Do any of you actually plan on using this?

I play on a lot of different systems. Steam, Battle.net, Origin, Epic, and almost every multiplayer game has it's own launcher and friends list.
All of my friends and I just use discord and only use the platform's friends list to party up.

Discord is already filling that need.
I don't care about seeing my consolidated achievements, but I guess it would nice. I wouldn't be surprised if discord copies that feature.

There have been a bunch of different applications like this in the past that have died off like xfire. But with discord I don't see the point anymore.
 
Monopolies aren't good. Two, I've been looking for a Discord alternative. This might fit the bill.

I agree with that, but it's hard to care when it's completely free. I guess there are paid features and a game store, but I don't use them.
If any of the base features became paywalled I would immediately switch to an alternative.
 
Sounds like this is a launcher launcher. Still, CDPR and GOG are worth rooting for, if anyone in this industry is.

Unfortunately I never see them gaining any traction as a store, as long as they repel big publishers with the lack of a DRM opt-in.

The big disconnect, their big problem, is not enough people value DRM-free. If a DRM game launches when gamer clicks the icon, the DRM is invisible and they don't care, least not to the extent the "backup all my games to USB drives in case of apocalypse" doomsday brigade does.
 
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GOG Galaxy 2.0: The biggest innovation of the E3 2019 is not a game, but a launcher.
https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/gog-galaxy-groesste-innovation-der-e3,3345341.html

Partnered with Microsoft. Tons of new information on how it will work.

I would install this in a heartbeat. I get tired of trying to remember what game I own and on which platform. I've returned a couple of Ubisoft games on Steam because I found out that I owned them direct from Ubisoft.
 
This is a nice little improvement however I am skeptical..

I don't see any announcement that Galaxy 2.0 will support Linux, which has been LONG awaited since Galaxy's launch. Next, while i'm glad the integrations are open source, I wonder about the rest of it. Most of these other features including stats/friends lists/cross-platform this and that can either already be done by to some degree Steam natively, as well as fully open source game organizers like Lutris and Playnite

While this is a step forward, what would really be helpful is a unified API for multiplayer, and other features. Steam has a lot of this already available as open source or on their API , but in an era where we're seeing every bloody knock off store trying to create its own separate platform, we need universal standards for both things like achievements, multiplay, and other features (ie Steam workshop), but for registering games - so would have any given game, on any given platform that supports it - thus divorcing the "platform" experience from the game sale itself.

Galaxy 2.0 is a nice step forward, but there's still a lot to do and there are some things it (at least so far) hasnn't announced. I hope to see this change as I feel GOG is one of the very few non-Steam platforms that had some merit, but its features were always way below Steam and games sold on it were often considered "second class" citizens in terms of updates, features and multiplay. I'd love to see this remedied, but a lot of this doesnt' just depend on GOG, but benevolent actors like Steam, and beyond.

Ok nice idea but look realistically at things. We are in the year 2019 and it is still not possible for whatever reason for half these companies to implement very very basic features for games. Take crosshairs for instance how many games have to release over and over that do not support custom crosshairs in the GUI. If they cant even get something that simple working they sure arent going to figure out achievements. Remember everyone is selfish they have no reason to support other companies or stores.
 
Sounds cool. Depending on what the new Steam UI ends up being like, I could end up going this route.
 
Just got the invite yesterday. For xbox those are win10 games (i dont have an xbox), although i can't seem to launch them from gog client yet, just gives option to install and directs to the windows store page for the game. Steam,epic, origin and uplay work fine so far though.

I can select "All games" or by individual client to see the games list.



upload_2019-9-17_9-23-41.png
 
Cool that they include Windows 10 games, even if they aren't fully implemented yet. You can do the same with Steam, although you need a 3rd party program to flesh it out. I use one called UWPHook, which works well.
 
what's the point of being able to add console games to the GOG Library if you can't launch the game from within it?
 
what's the point of being able to add console games to the GOG Library if you can't launch the game from within it?

Because it doubles as a collectors database for those who like that sort of thing.

How the hell would you expect them to be able to launch console games in the first place? That's not even possible without some kind of third party hardware.
 
How the hell would you expect them to be able to launch console games in the first place? That's not even possible without some kind of third party hardware.

I know...that's my point...it serves no purpose having it in the Library
 
I know...that's my point...it serves no purpose having it in the Library

It’s a good way to keep track of all the games you own. I can usually remember what I own and on what platform/launcher but being able to see it all in one place will be nice. Especially as most of my games, pc and console, are digital these days.
 
For consoles it shows progress and trophies/achievements if your into that. and i agree it would be a good way to keep track of the games you own on different consoles, however i own quite a few digital games for PS3 but its only showing like 3 of them for some reason. :(
 
I know...that's my point...it serves no purpose having it in the Library

...and I addressed that in the part of my reply you didn't quote. If that's not your thing no one is forcing you to use that feature.
 
This is now available for those who signed up for the beta test. Seems pretty impressive thus far. It imported all of my different accounts and it even provided nice looking box art for all 200 or so of them. With Steam's new interface being so clunky, I might start using GOG as my new front-end for everything.
 
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I just got my invite for the beta and installed it. I haven't yet added Steam or anything else to it yet so it's only my GoG games but I do like the interface so much more than the old GoG launcher. I also like it better than the Steam interface.
 
This is now available for those who signed up for the beta test. Seems pretty impressive thus far. It imported all of my different accounts and it even provided nice looking box art for all 200 or so of them. With Steam's new interface being so clunky, I might start using GOG as my new front-end for everything.

I no longer have Linux installed at this time. Does this program finally support it?
 
I no longer have Linux installed at this time. Does this program finally support it?

I have no idea. I'm on Windows 10.

Something I've noticed it lacks is the ability to add games that aren't in the GOG database.
With Steam, I have all of my emulators (Project 64, FB Alpha, KEGA Fusion, Dolphin, etc.) set up as games. GOG doesn't have emulators in the games database, so you can't do that for now.
It's the very first beta, so it could be planned for a later release. If they do add that functionality, I'd say it's a pretty sweet front-end for PC gamers now. I really, really don't like the new Steam UI. #BringBackGrid
 
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