If you’re a fan of Sins of a Solar Empire II (SoSE2), you may find the game’s launcher a bit redundant. After all, most of the news and updates it displays are already available on Steam. For the average player, this extra step can feel unnecessary. Fortunately, there’s a way to bypass the launcher entirely, getting you into the game faster. This guide will walk you through the process.
Why Skip the Launcher?
Skipping the launcher isn’t just about convenience. For some players, it can also mean a quicker start-up time, fewer distractions, and a more streamlined gaming experience. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer to SoSE2, eliminating unnecessary steps is always a plus.
Built-in Launch Option: The Easy Way
Recently, a built-in launch option was discovered that allows players to skip the launcher without any extra effort. This is by far the simplest method, and it works specifically for Sins of a Solar Empire II. To use this method, start by opening Steam and navigating to your Steam Library. Find Sins of a Solar Empire II in your game list. Once you’ve located the game, right-click on the title and select “Properties.” Within the Properties menu, you’ll find a field labeled “Launch Options.” In this field, simply type /nolauncher.
With this setup, the next time you start SoSE2, it will bypass the launcher entirely and take you straight into the game. However, if this method stops working for any reason or if you’re playing on a different platform, there’s an alternative method that can be applied to any game with a launcher.
Manually Skipping the Launcher: A Universal Method
The manual method to skip the launcher is more versatile and can be used for any game that includes a launcher, provided the launcher isn’t required for authentication. To begin, you’ll need to navigate to your SoSE2 installation folder. Start by going to your Steam Library, right-clicking on Sins of a Solar Empire II, and selecting “Manage” followed by “Browse Local Files.” This will open the folder where the game is installed. In this folder, locate the file named Sins2.exe, which is the executable file for the game.
Once you’ve found the Sins2.exe file, you’ll need to copy its path. To do this, click on the file, hold down the Shift key, and then right-click to open the context menu. From this menu, select “Copy as Path.” This action will copy the full file path to your clipboard, with the path enclosed in quotation marks.
Next, return to your Steam Library and open the “Properties” menu for SoSE2 once more. In the Launch Options field, paste the path you just copied. It’s important to keep the quotation marks intact. After pasting the path, add a space and then type %command%. This command ensures that Steam launches the game directly using the path you provided, bypassing the launcher in the process.
Reverting the Changes
If you ever decide that you want to return to using the launcher, the process is straightforward. Simply go back to the Launch Options in Steam and delete the path you previously entered. Once the path is removed, the game will revert to opening with the launcher as it did before.
Conclusion
Bypassing the launcher in Sins of a Solar Empire II is a simple way to enhance your gaming experience. Whether you choose the built-in /nolauncher option or prefer to use the manual method, you can enjoy faster access to the game without unnecessary delays. Try these steps out and streamline your entry into the epic space battles that await.