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Steam as app launcher

Valve’s Steam is an app launcher for Steam apps (mostly games)
You can also add custom apps, which allows you to make lists of apps.

Q: So I wondered if you could use Steam as an app launcher for your project.
A: You can, but would be missing out on various features.

Pro

  • version management (only for steam apps)
  • easy install (only for steam apps)
  • social integration:
    • friends, achievements, community, reviews, app score (only for Steam apps)
    • see when a friend launches an app
    • chat to friend
  • option to set launch args
  • add non Steam apps
  • not sure what you can use this for: CLI integration SteamCMD

Con

Missing features that prevent reusing Steam as a software app launcher in production
- no environment management
- HACK: launch bat file that edits environment
- no app presets (e.g. maya, Krita, unreal)
- no easy install non-Steam apps
- HACK custom script to install & setup apps
- no version management for non steam games.
- app lists are not easily distributed to team members.