# Quick Start Guide

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<a href="https://discord.com/invite/FpWvUQ2CJP" class="button primary" data-icon="discord">Join Discord Community</a>

## QUICK START VIDEO

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSpKLjW4FZI>" %}

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## What is a Game Launcher?

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FcUXBV3mguLWE3YJYuQnd%2FLauncher%20Screenshot.png?alt=media&#x26;token=af0d4256-7ef5-4399-8be7-26ead2898b9a" alt=""><figcaption><p>Game Launcher created with Gamer Launcher Cloud</p></figcaption></figure></div>

A **game launcher** is the desktop app your players use to **install**, **update**, and **play** your game.

**Game Launcher Cloud** is the platform that lets you create, customize, and deploy your own game launcher — no coding needed. You focus on your game, we handle the launcher.

## How Game Launcher Cloud Works

**Game Launcher Cloud** is a complete platform for creating your custom [Game Launcher](#user-content-fn-1)[^1] and help you distributing and managing your games

Here's how it works:

**The Platform:**

1. **Create a launcher** - Build a custom launcher with your game's branding and style
2. **You upload your game** - Upload your game builds for Windows, macOS, or Linux
3. **Distribute to players** - Players download your launcher
4. **Automatic updates** - Players receive updates automatically through the launcher
5. **Engage with news** - Push announcements, patch notes, and events directly to players
6. **Track everything** - Monitor downloads, active users, playtime, and more

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**Think of it as**: Your own Steam or Epic Games Launcher, but fully customized for your game(s) and under your control.
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### 1️⃣ Understand the Basics

Familiarize yourself with the three core concepts of Game Launcher Cloud:

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th>Concept</th><th>What is it?</th><th>Learn More</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Applications</strong></td><td>The games or software you distribute through your launcher. Each app manages builds, environments, and deployments.</td><td><a href="../applications/overview">Complete Guide →</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Launchers</strong></td><td>The branded application your players use to download, update, and play your games. Think of it as your own Steam or Epic Games Launcher!</td><td><a href="../launchers/overview">Complete Guide →</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>News</strong></td><td>Keep players informed and engaged with announcements directly in your launcher.</td><td><a href="../news-and-announcements/news">Complete Guide →</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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### 2️⃣ First Steps

Complete these steps in order to get started:

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th>Step</th><th>Action</th><th>Description</th><th>Guide</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1</strong></td><td>Create an App</td><td>Set up your first game app with basic information</td><td><a href="../applications/create-app">Create Application →</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2</strong></td><td>Create a Launcher</td><td>Build your custom game launcher interface</td><td><a href="../launchers/create-launcher">Create Launcher →</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>3</strong></td><td>Assign App to Launcher</td><td>Connect your app with the launcher</td><td><a href="../../launchers/create-launcher#linking-apps-to-launcher">Link Apps to Launcher →</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>4</strong></td><td>Create Your First News</td><td>Add news content to engage your players</td><td><a href="../news-and-announcements/create-news">Create News →</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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### 3️⃣ Explore Advanced Features

Once you're comfortable with the basics:

* **Push news and updates** - [Create News](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/news-and-announcements/create-news)
* **Track analytics** - [News Analytics](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/getting-started/broken-reference)
* **Customize launcher appearance** - [Customize Appearance](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/getting-started/broken-reference)
* **Build and deploy launchers** - [Launcher Builds](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/launchers/launcher-builds)

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## Need Help?

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**Support Resources**:

* Email: <support@gamelauncher.cloud>
* Discord: [Join our community](https://discord.com/invite/FpWvUQ2CJP)
* API Reference: [Complete API docs](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/reference/api-reference)
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## Quick Tips

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**Recommendations**:

* ✅ Start with a **Single Launcher** for simplicity
* ✅ Test everything in **Development** environment first
* ✅ Read the overview pages before diving into features
* ✅ Upload your first build using our [CLI Tool](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/extensions/cli-releases/cli-builds) for large files
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[^1]: A **Launcher** is the desktop application your players use to install, update, and play your games!