What does the launcher do with regard to the operation of the game that cannot be done within the actual game itself? Is it due to a technical limitation or simply there for the convenience of the players? Are there alternatives to such methods of starting the execution of games?
It’s very annoying to self-update without a separate updater (Especially on Windows).
Another reason would be that it’s good to have some functionality separated, like authentication and mod installation.
How does the updater get updated, though?
you kid, but there’s no shortage of steam games where steam (a launcher) updates the game’s launcher
One executable updates the other and vice-versa. Like Robin Hood and Fryer Tuck defending one another.
That’s far from the only approach, too.