Bethesda is discontinuing its Bethesda.net launcher and moving its services to Steam. Beginning in April 2022, Bethesda.net users will be able to migrate their accounts and wallets to a Steam account, transfer their games and game saves to the world’s largest online gaming platform.
Bethesda Sunsets Bethesda.NET Launcher
Following an official announcement on Bethesda.net, the company responsible for top-notch titles such as The Elder Scrolls, (modern) Fallout series, Rage, Doom, Dishonored and Prey revealed that the official launcher will begin shutting down in April 2022. Below
We’re saying goodbye to the Bethesda.NET Launcher this year. We want to thank you for your support and assure you that all your games are safe. If you are not playing PC games through Bethesda.net Launcher then here you are done.
Thanks for reading! If you have games through the Bethesda.net launcher, don’t worry. Starting in April you will be able to migrate your games and wallet to your Steam account
Bethesda has answers to many questions on their official page (link above), including some of the more common questions asked by Bethesda Launcher users.
Interestingly, Bethesda notes that “many games will have their saves migrated,” although some will require you to manually transfer your saved games. In addition, in-game currencies like Atoms and Crowns will also make the jump, hopefully with ease.
You’ll still need your Bethesda.net login
However, even though the Bethesda Launcher is closing its doors, you’ll still need your Bethesda.net account to access your games through Steam.
Many of our games and services still rely on you having a Bethesda.net account. This will allow you to retain access to Bethesda.net services, including game modes, in-game items such as skins, and access to exclusive news and updates.
When can you start the migration of your games? When does it end?
The migration of the Bethesda Launcher to Steam will begin in April. Bethesda Launcher users will receive an email explaining what they need to do, when they need to do it and how the process works.
At the time of writing, there is no specific end date for the migration, except for a short line, “In May, you will no longer be able to play your purchased games on the Bethesda.NET Launcher.”
Bethesda also notes that you won’t lose access to your games at the moment, you just won’t be able to play them from the launcher. Hopefully, this means that the migration period will remain open for some time after this date.
The other thing to note about Bethesda migration is that you cannot switch your account to another platform. Bethesda’s FAQ states that Bethesda accounts can only be transferred across PCs. You can’t switch out your PC account for a PlayStation or Xbox account, and your details will only work with Steam.
Oh, and finally, your Bethesda.net friends list will also be merged with your Steam account, bringing your friends from Fallout 76, Doom Eternal, and other online titles onto your Steam friends list.
Bethesda Launcher is shutting down for good
You’re unlikely to find a lot of gamers, especially with the demise of the Bethesda Launcher. Although Steam undoubtedly has a monopoly on online gaming and game sales, many gamers are more than happy to host and launch games from a single program rather than download and maintain lots of different launchers.
Using a standalone launcher also meant that all profits from game sales went directly to the company, rather than Steam or Epic Games taking the customary slice.
On the other hand, the loss of another launcher puts more power in the hands of Steam, further cementing its grip on the gaming world, behind only Ubisoft, Rockstar and EA from major game developers, Itch.io and GOG. get out. Galaxy Launcher notwithstanding.
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