#BattleNet

[battle-acs-official]

OMG, this is just gut wrenching to see...

[ailurinae]

Anyone have any info about the migration of the Blizzard / Battlenet authenticator from a standalone app to part of the Blizzard mobile app?

The old one uses TOTP under the hood, just 8 digits instead of 6, and can be set up on some standard TOTP apps (e.g. Aegis Authenticator).

Hoping the new setup is too so I can keep doing that, but I worry it's a shitty push model...

[enterprisewired]

Level Up Your Fun with These Top 15 Gaming Platforms for PC

Source: rocketbrush.com

If you love PC gaming, the right platform can change everything. Gaming platforms for PC are where you get your games, play with friends, grab special deals, and build your dream game library. But with so many options out there, which one should you pick? 

In this article, we break down the top Gaming Platforms for PC, what makes each one special, and how they can take your gaming experience to the next level.

1. What Is A Gaming Platform?

A gaming platform for PC is a software service called a launcher or store that handles everything from a digital storefront and game management to social features and updates. These platforms simplify launching games, patching them, organizing your library, cross-platform access, and connecting with friends. 

Examples include Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect.

Top 15 Popular Gaming Platforms for PC:

Below are the most widely used Gaming Platforms for PC, 

1. Steam: The leading platform with the largest PC library

Performance & Compatibility – Solid performance, works on Windows, macOS, and Linux via Proton.

Key features: 

Massive game catalog

Social/Community tools

Workshop/mod support

Cloud saves

Frequent sales

Visit Website

2. Epic Games Store: Free weekly games, exclusives

Performance & Compatibility – Great speed, light on the system, and Supports Win/Mac

Key features: 

Free weekly title

Developer-friendly cuts

Cross-platform syncing

Mod support

Basic social

Visit Website

3. GOG Galaxy: DRM-free library, retro titles

Performance & Compatibility – Fast and light, Supports Win/Mac/Linux

Key features: 

DRM-free games

Old title supports

Optional client

Integration with others

Mods friendly

Visit Website

4. Ubisoft Connect: Ubisoft’s launcher with in-game rewards

Performance & Compatibility – Moderate resource use, Optimized for Windows

Key features: 

In-game challenges/rewards

Uplay to connect and upgrade

Social stats

Cloud sync

Storefront

Visit Website

5. Battle.net: Blizzard/Activision games management

Performance & Compatibility – Lightweight, Fast on Windows

Key features: 

Access Diablo/Overwatch/CoD

Cross-game chat

Auto-update

Easy installs

News hub

Visit Website

6. Origin (EA App): EA exclusive and third-party titles

Performance & Compatibility – Efficient, Supports Windows/Mac

Key features: 

EA titles + others

Subscription (EA Play)

Early trials

Social/chat

Cloud saves

Visit Website

7. Microsoft Store/ Xbox App: Microsoft-curated store and Game Pass

Performance & Compatibility – Smooth on Windows, UWP format

Key features: 

Game Pass integration

Cross-platform Xbox sync

Cloud storage 

Social/chat

Frequent bundles

Visit Website

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8. itch.io: Indie games hub, pay-what-you-want

Performance & Compatibility – Lightweight Windows and web client

Key features: 

Indie discovery

Custom pricing

Developer support

Tag/search

Simple installs

Visit Website

9. Amazon Games: Amazon’s PC storefront

Performance & Compatibility – Standard Windows client

Key features: 

Prime member benefits

Free titles

Game streaming (Luna)

Auto-update

Cloud saves

Visit Website

10. Bethesda Launcher (merged with Steam): Older Bethesda titles, updates via Steam

Performance & Compatibility – No longer active, legacy Windows support

Key features: 

Official updates

Mods support

Community hub

Auto-patch

License management

Visit Website

11. EA Play (via Steam/Epic/Origin): EA’s subscription game hub

Performance & Compatibility – Hosted in the existing launcher, normal performance

Key features:

Unlimited EA games

Early access

Cross-platform cloud saves

Discounts

DLC access

Visit Website

12. Humble Bundle: Bundle deals, DRM-free + Steam keys

Performance & Compatibility – Lightweight API app

Key features:

Charity bundles

DRM-free or Steam keys

Library tool (App)

Cross-platform support

Cloud sync

Visit Website

13. Google Stadia (legacy): Cloud streaming on PC (soon retired)

Performance & Compatibility – Web browser-based, no hardware needed

Key features:

Stream full-quality

No install

Cross-platform play

Controller support

Instant access

Visit Website

14. Nvidia GeForce Now: Cloud gaming using its library.

Performance & Compatibility – Great on any device, needs a fast net

Key features:

Game streaming we own 

RTX/4K support

Multi-source linking

Free tier

Cross-platform

Visit Website

15. Amazon Luna: Cloud stream subscription platform

Performance & Compatibility – Smooth if 20+ Mbps internet 

Key features:

100+ game library

Prime perks

Multi-device

Web/PC app

Up to 4K resolution

Visit Website

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Comparing Features: What to Consider

When choosing a Gaming Platforms for PC, prioritize these features:

Game Library & Exclusives – more titles and unique deals matter.

Pricing & Freebies – free games and sales add value.

Client Performance – Lean launchers run better on older PCs.

Compatibility – OS support matters; native Linux/macOS vs compatibility layer.

Community & Social Tools – chat, friends, achievements, and workshops enhance the experience.

Gaming Platforms Revenue and Popularity

Image by primipil from Getty Images

Steam dominates revenue share, with annual game sales of ~$1.5 billion by 2014 and 90M monthly active users by 2018,

Epic Games Store grows fast via weekly freebies and steep dev revenue share.

GOG appeals via DRM‑free and retro titles; it maintains a loyal niche manuel depaz.medium.com+5 en.wikipedia.org+5 thesun.co.uk+5.

Microsoft, EA, and Ubisoft log strong downloads tied to exclusive franchises plus subscriptions.

Cloud platforms like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and Amazon Luna gained ground, thanks to accessibility and streaming tech.

Players stay loyal to Gaming Platforms for PC that offer the best catalogs, pricing, convenience, and social gaming.

Future Trends in PC Gaming Platforms

Cloud Gaming Takes Off: Streaming services now dominate as hardware barriers fall. Platforms like NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass expand offerings.

Cross‑Launcher Integration & Library Unity: Clients now integrate across platforms. GOG Galaxy leads this by unifying libraries from Steam, Epic, Ubisoft, and more. 

DRM‑Free & Consumer Control: Demand rises for ownership and offline play. GOG’s model pushes others to offer DRM‑free options.

Subscription & Bundled Services: Game Pass, EA Play, Ubisoft+, and Humble Choice highlight a shift from single purchases to game libraries-as-service.

Enhanced Social and In‑Game Features: Expect deeper social tools: cross‑platform chat, built‑in streaming, game matchmaking, and community features across Gaming Platforms for PC.

Source: How to have your videogames in one place?

Tips for Optimizing Use

Image by Dean Drobot

Use GOG Galaxy to centralize your libraries.

Claim all free offers (Epic weekly, GOG monthly).

Subscribe to bundles that fit your style (e.g., Game Pass for variety, EA Play for EA catalog).

Track deals via Humble Bundle or Cheap Ass Gamer.

Test cloud options like GeForce Now for hardware‑light setups.

Prioritize DDR‑free options if you prefer ownership, like in GOG’s model.

Conclusion

Gaming Platforms for PC offer more than just game install systems; they shape how you buy, play, share, and manage titles. From the vast reach of Steam to the niche appeal of DRM‑free GOG, and from publisher launchers like Ubisoft Connect to cloud giants like NVIDIA GeForce Now, each platform brings unique value.

Your ideal Gaming Platform for PC depends on your priorities: 

Is it game variety? 

Cost savings? 

Owning your games? Or 

Streaming flexibility? 

The future promises better integration, richer social tools, and less hardware dependence, making gaming platforms for PC even more accessible and engaging.

[crazygamecommunity]

Activision e gli sviluppatori Treyarch e Raven Software hanno annunciato Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 per PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One e PC (Steam / Microsoft Store / Battle.net), previsto per il 2025.

[spark-un-lobo-blanco]

Me puse a buscar precios del nuevo Doom como si lo pudiera comprar, y en Battlenet esta 20 dólares mas caro que en otros lados unos verdaderos hdp.

[khaoticspartan]

I decided I wanted to play some world of warcraft and I had to immediately fist fight god trying to login to my blizzard account.

[gellieplays]

this looks so creepy i'm loving it xD

[breadknight-likes-things]

Hey Wait, Is Cataclysm Actually That Different To Play?

Cataclysm is often regarded as a monumental shift in the way World of Warcraft plays, but is it?  With the pre patch for Cat launching this week I went into this nostalgia play with fresh eyes and I was expecting such a massive shift as to be an unrecognizable game and, really, it isn’t?  At least not thus far.

The game feel of Cataclysm, at least from where I’m playing with my Hunter, is far closer to Wrath of the Lich King than I had really been expecting.  Yes a lot of systems are remade, reworked, or otherwise different, but the moment to moment feel of playing the game is fairly similar to what we just now transitioned from.  The movement has the same weight that many, even me, would argue is absent from modern WoW.  The basic gist of combat remains largely the same, with resource management and threat mitigation remaining key.  Even the general vibe still feels like one of exploration of a large world, with the perceived shrinking of the world not quite yet taking effect, in my eyes. I know I haven’t gotten flying yet, and that’s eventually a big part of it, but for now, it feels largely the same size.

This could all just be me, but for whatever reason I really do remember Cataclysm feeling like a large shift in the general gameplay.  Large shifts do exist of course, basic world content enemies really do pose significantly less of a threat, even if I’d argue the new lack of threat was mostly already tested during Wrath. There isn’t really any large point to this post, mostly just that I honestly thought that a lot more would change with the Cataclysm update and, as of now, the game is far more similar to what I’ve grown used to over the last couple years than I expected.  I’m still having fun too, and while that isn’t hard for me to do with my all time favorite video game, hey, it’s still a good sign. 

[fugu-in-f]

it's okay blizzard, you'll do better next time

[newfalco]

Comentario y recordatorio sobre las ofertas de juegos en Black Friday Noviembre 2023. (Windows)

[oktobearfest]

maybe im glad none of you are friends with me on steam because none of you can see me constantly logging in and out of overwatch due to server issues

[twainrd]

"The Boss Squad"

Commission work for @thetruefritik, for their fanfic Pokémon Forum: BattleNET.

[203y]

god help me im about to get back into overwank

[crazygamecommunity]

Activision e lo sviluppatore Iron Galaxy hanno annunciato Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 per PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Switch e PC (Steam / Microsoft Store / Battle.net), che verrà lanciato l'11 Luglio.