Battle.net

Battle.net has been around for a while, and it's pretty cool how it started as the first game launcher ever. This platform has inspired other developers to create their own launchers. While it originally focused only on Blizzard games, now you can find some Activision titles there too!

Minimalistic Design

When you compare Battle.net to other game distribution platforms, it feels pretty straightforward. You can buy, install, and launch your games easily, plus chat with friends while gaming. However, it doesn’t have an overlay or in-game features like some others do because those are usually part of the Blizzard games.

User-Friendly Interface

Battle.net has changed its look a few times over the years but always remains easy to use. The small selection of games helps keep things simple, and the layout is well thought out.

Your Game Toolbar

You’ll see all your favorite games right in a toolbar at the top of the screen. You can manage these by adding or removing them from your favorites list. Just click on any game's icon, and you'll get its dedicated page where you can install or launch it, check out the shop or forum, and even read patch notes!

Connect with Friends

One of Battle.net's best features is connecting with friends! You can see what everyone is up to, chat with them, view their profiles and wishlists, create groups—basically everything you need for social gaming. Plus, there's even an option to go invisible if you want some alone time.

Voice Chat Options

The voice chat feature is pretty handy too! It works great as an alternative to in-game chats in their titles. You can use it even when you're not playing anything. Just keep in mind that sometimes background noise might sneak through since there's no noise filtering.

Game Update Control

You might notice that there aren’t tons of extra features here. But if you're picky about how your games update, you've got options! You can turn automatic updates on or off and even limit download speeds for patches or set up a schedule.

No Notifications Needed?

If you're not interested in what your friends are doing at all times, feel free to disable notifications! And while you can set yourself to offline status, unlike Steam, there’s no way to appear online without showing what you're currently playing.

A Simple Launcher

In summary, Battle.net keeps things simple without overloading you with features. Sure, there are areas for improvement—but overall it's a solid launcher. Now we just have to wait for Blizzard to roll out another hit game!