Reason for this meme is that some ubisoft titles are shipped with a broken version of ubisoft connect launcher. Installing these games is only possible by running the installer for the launcher again via protontricks.
and kernel-level anticheat. cant forget that one.
That’s a tough one. Clearly, everyone hates both kernel-level anticheat and cheaters. The level of hate depends.
honestly just PC gaming in general without 3rd party launchers
Sometimes they make sense for managing mod-sets/different instances (i.e. Stellaris or most famously Minecraft.
well yeah obviously, 3rd party launchers that are optional to use because they serve a purpose. Forced launchers like uplay and origin are the issue. they serve no purpose and offer a worse experience for the user and are forced on your system. Back in my day when a piece of software came with something else that pops up on your screen and runs in the background bogging down your system and collecting data, we considered that a virus.
Forced launchers like uplay and origin are the issue
These are usually first-party though (made by the same company that makes the game), not third-party.