Bethesda has announced that it is ditching its Bethesda.net launcher in favour of using Steam on PC. The process will begin in April.
The Bethesda launcher was released in 2016 and it functioned as the company’s own version of Steam. As a result of using its own launcher, Bethesda would of course see more of the profits for any games bought via its platform.
However, having multiple launchers such as Bethesda, Ubisoft, Rockstar and even Epic, was an inconvenience for long-standing Steam players. Some PC games might be exclusive to a certain launcher, and it just wasn’t practical to have multiple PC games on multiple launchers. So, I am sure this will please many gamers.
Games and Wallet will cross over
When the transition begins in “early April” you will be able to migrate your games and wallet from the Bethesda launcher to your Steam account. So, no games or wallet funds will be lost when you make the jump from Bethesda to Steam. Furthermore, you will be able to play games via the Bethesda launcher until it closes for good in May but it is recommended that you migrate ASAP.
What about my saves?
In terms of game saves, a Bethesda blog post states that “many games will also have their saves migrated, with a few requiring some manual transfers.” That sounds to me that most saves will automatically carry over with the transition, but some will require a little work.
According to the FAQ, for the saves that don’t automatically carry over, you will need to copy your files into your Steam folder. It also states that all game saves will transfer, whether automatically or manually. However, Wolfenstein: Youngblood saves currently will not transfer. Hopefully, Bethesda will fix this before May arrives.
What else do I need to know?
Once the Bethesda launcher has closed, you will still need your Bethesda.net account. This is so you can access game mods and exclusive content, as well as news being emailed to your inbox. The Bethesda.net account will also still be required for live service games such as The Elders Scrolls Online and Fallout 76.
Will my DLC cross over?
Yes, all DLC and skins will automatically transfer along with your games. This includes in-game currency such as Crowns in The Elder Scrolls Online, as well as Atoms in Fallout 76. This is also one of the reasons your Bethesda.net account will still be required.
Will my friends list cross over?
Yes, your friend’s list will also crossover following the merge, as long as you have an active Bethesda.net account.
For all other information on the Bethesda to Steam launcher merge, added details can be found here. What are your thoughts on the Bethesda launcher closing? Let us know across our social media channels.
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Featured Image Credit: Bethesda