It is possible to launch Valheim without using Steam. However, it is important to note that while you can run Valheim without Steam, you still require Steam to actually play the game. Let me explain in more detail.
Valheim is a popular survival game that is available for purchase and download on the Steam platform. Steam is a digital distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation, which allows users to purchase, download, and play games. When you buy Valheim on Steam, it becomes tied to your Steam account, and you need to have Steam installed on your computer to access and play the game.
That being said, there are a few scenarios where you might want to launch Valheim without using the Steam client on your current computer. One such scenario is if you want to run Valheim on a different PC that does not have Steam installed. In this case, you can transfer the game files from your Steam library to the other PC using external storage devices like USB drives or external hard drives. Once the game files are transferred, you can launch Valheim directly from the game’s executable file without needing to open Steam.
To find the Valheim executable file, you can navigate to the game’s installation folder on your Steam library. By default, the installation folder is located in the Steam folder in your Program Files directory (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam). Within the Steam folder, you can find the Valheim game files in the “steamapps\common\Valheim” directory. Look for the “valheim.exe” or “Valheim.x86_64” file, which is the executable file for launching Valheim.
Alternatively, if you want to run Valheim on the same computer but without opening the Steam client, you can create a shortcut to the Valheim executable file on your desktop or in a convenient location. This allows you to launch the game directly without having to go through the Steam client every time.
However, it’s important to remember that even if you can launch Valheim without Steam, you still need a valid Steam account and the game purchased on that account to actually play the game. Valheim’s DRM (Digital Rights Management) is tied to Steam, so you will need to log in to your Steam account to authenticate and access the game.
While it is possible to launch Valheim without using the Steam client, Steam is still required to play the game. The game files are tied to your Steam account, and you need to have Steam installed and authenticated to access and play Valheim.