# Overview

## What is a Game Launcher?

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 launcher development needed. You focus on your game, we handle the launcher.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Think of it as:** Your own program like Steam or Epic Games Launcher, but branded for your games.
{% endhint %}

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="/files/Ti6woEKnBp0mQ415Drzw" alt=""><figcaption><p>Game Launcher Example</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Launcher Types

There are two types of Launcher.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Single Launcher" %}
**Single Launcher**

One game per launcher - Focused experience

✅ **Perfect for:** Indie developers with one game

✅ **Benefits:** Dedicated experience, simple setup

✅ **Interface:** Clean, focused on one title

<figure><img src="/files/97PFgOxuRdjW1mHwkA2G" alt=""><figcaption><p>Launcher Type - Single Launcher</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Multi Launcher (Enterprise Plan only)" %}
**Multi Launcher**

Hub for multiple games

✅ **Perfect for:** Studios with multiple titles

✅ **Benefits:** Unified platform, cross-promotion

✅ **Interface:** Game selection menu with grid

<figure><img src="/files/NfC1IFE5IbN6XStZVaPm" alt=""><figcaption><p>Launcher Type - Multi Game Launcher</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/fN0qrPFQYefka6NpldY3" alt=""><figcaption><p>Multi Game Launcher - Library</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## Core Features

* Custom icon & splash screen
* Banner images
* Accent color schemes
* Branded interface

#### Multi-Platform

* Windows (.exe)
* macOS (.dmg)
* Linux (.AppImage)
* Platform-specific configs

#### Customizations / Branding

A lot of customizations are available for the launcher in the **Customize** Tab\
such a Launcher Icon, Splash Art Image, Accent color, launcher theme and MUCH more...\
![](/files/rXK7yb935TbCo1YrYvIE)

#### Integrations

* Discord Rich Presence
* Webhooks

***

## Add-on Services

Optional add-on services to be added in the launcher.

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th width="180">Service</th><th>Description</th><th width="120">Status</th><th width="150">Plan Required</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Login System</strong></td><td>User authentication and account management</td><td>Live</td><td>Any Plan</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Anti-Cheat</strong></td><td>Protect your game from cheaters and hacks</td><td>🚧 Coming Soon</td><td>Any Plan</td></tr><tr><td><strong>AI Chat Support</strong></td><td>Automated player support with AI assistance</td><td>🚧 Coming Soon</td><td>Any Plan</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Marketplace</strong></td><td>In-launcher item shop and DLC distribution</td><td>🚧 Coming Soon</td><td>Any Plan</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cloud Saves</strong></td><td>Cross-device save synchronization</td><td>🚧 Coming Soon</td><td>Any Plan</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Download Formats

Each build provides two download formats:

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="/files/W0Ip4jAvUtVdcttbvurG" alt=""><figcaption><p>Launcher Builds</p></figcaption></figure></div>

| Format                       | Description               | Use Case                     |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Windows Installer (.exe)** | Full installation package | Recommended for distribution |
| **Portable ZIP**             | Compressed executable     | Quick testing, portable use  |

***

## Analytics & Monitoring

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="/files/MHfitaWlLSko8VsdfVZA" alt=""><figcaption><p>Launcher Quick Stats</p></figcaption></figure></div>

**Track Key Metrics:**

* Real-time online user count
* Daily peak concurrent users
* Total lifetime downloads
* Average play sessions
* Player retention rates
* Most active applications

***

## Next Steps

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>📝 Create Launcher</strong></td><td>Build your first launcher step-by-step</td><td><a href="/pages/1cNgvv5uy79qCeQbdGPa">/pages/1cNgvv5uy79qCeQbdGPa</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="success" %}
**🎉 Ready to start?** Create your first launcher and have it ready for players in under 10 minutes!
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/launchers/overview.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
