Pros of Lutris

• Larger and more active community, with more frequent updates and contributions
• Supports a wider range of gaming platforms and services
• More extensive documentation and user guides

Cons of Lutris

• More complex setup process for some games
• Heavier resource usage due to its broader feature set
• Steeper learning curve for new users

Code Comparison

Lutris (Python):

def get_game_launcher(self):
    """Return the game's launcher"""
    if self.runner.name == "steam":
        return self.runner.get_steam_launcher()
    return self.runner.get_executable()

GameHub (Vala):

public override async void launch(bool launch_in_game_folder=false)
{
    yield run_command({"xdg-open", game.install_dir + "/" + game.executable}, launch_in_game_folder);
}

Both projects aim to simplify game management on Linux, but they take different approaches. Lutris offers a more comprehensive solution with support for various gaming platforms, while GameHub focuses on a streamlined experience for specific game sources. Lutris uses Python, which allows for more complex operations, while GameHub utilizes Vala for a native GNOME-style application. The code snippets demonstrate the different approaches to launching games, with Lutris handling multiple runners and GameHub using a simpler command execution method.

Pros of BoilR

• Cross-platform support (Windows, Linux, macOS)
• Lightweight and efficient
• Focuses specifically on adding non-Steam games to Steam

Cons of BoilR

• Limited features compared to GameHub's comprehensive game management
• Less polished user interface
• Narrower scope, primarily for Steam integration

Code Comparison

GameHub (Vala):

public class Game : Object
{
    public string name { get; set; }
    public string executable { get; set; }
    public string icon { get; set; }
}

BoilR (Go):

type Game struct {
    Name       string
    Executable string
    Icon       string
}

Both projects use similar structures for representing games, but GameHub is written in Vala while BoilR uses Go. GameHub's codebase is more extensive, reflecting its broader feature set.

GameHub offers a comprehensive game management solution with a polished UI, supporting multiple platforms and launchers. It provides features like library organization, game installation, and launch options.

BoilR, on the other hand, is a more focused tool designed to add non-Steam games to Steam. It's lightweight and efficient, making it ideal for users who primarily want to consolidate their game library within Steam.

While GameHub offers more features and a more refined user experience, BoilR excels in its specific task of Steam integration and cross-platform compatibility. The choice between the two depends on the user's needs and preferences.

Pros of HeroicGamesLauncher

• Focused specifically on Epic Games and GOG, providing a more tailored experience for these platforms
• Offers Wine and Proton integration for running Windows games on Linux
• Actively maintained with frequent updates and new features

Cons of HeroicGamesLauncher

• Limited to Epic Games and GOG, lacking support for other gaming platforms
• May have a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with Wine/Proton configurations

Code Comparison

GameHub (JavaScript):

public class GameHub.UI.Views.WelcomeView: Gtk.Box
{
    construct
    {
        var welcome = new Granite.Widgets.Welcome(_("Welcome to GameHub"), _("Let's get started"));
        welcome.append("folder-download", _("Add games"), _("Import games installed on your PC"));
        welcome.append("folder-saved-search", _("Scan folders"), _("Scan folders for games"));
    }
}

HeroicGamesLauncher (TypeScript):

const WineVersions: React.FC<Props> = ({ runner }) => {
  const { t } = useTranslation()
  const [wineVersions, setWineVersions] = useState<WineVersionInfo[]>([])
  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)

  useEffect(() => {
    async function getVersions() {
      const versions = await getWineVersions(runner)
      setWineVersions(versions)
      setLoading(false)
    }
    getVersions()
  }, [runner])
}

Both projects use different programming languages and frameworks, making direct code comparison challenging. GameHub uses GTK for its UI, while HeroicGamesLauncher uses React for a web-based interface.

Pros of Legendary

• Command-line interface allows for more advanced and scriptable operations
• Supports downloading and installing games without the Epic Games Launcher
• Offers features like cloud sync and update checking without the full client

Cons of Legendary

• Lacks a graphical user interface, which may be less user-friendly for some
• Does not provide game library management or organization features
• Limited integration with other gaming platforms or services

Code Comparison

GameHub (Vala):

public class Game : Object
{
    public string name { get; set; }
    public string executable { get; set; }
    public string[] arguments { get; set; }
}

Legendary (Python):

class Game:
    def __init__(self, app_name, title, version):
        self.app_name = app_name
        self.title = title
        self.version = version

Summary

GameHub is a graphical game manager that supports multiple platforms, including Epic Games, while Legendary is a command-line tool specifically for managing Epic Games titles. GameHub offers a more user-friendly interface and broader platform support, but Legendary provides more advanced features for Epic Games and can operate independently of the official launcher. The choice between them depends on user preferences for GUI vs. CLI and the need for multi-platform support versus Epic-specific functionality.