@xenophone Negative. As I preordered, when the game released I was sent an email with a link to the installer. I presume the same thing would happen if you purchased today. If you install through the client, the client is then required.
A word of caution: given the numerous installation and play issues, perhaps wait until the next patch to have the best chance of having a reliable product.
Once you've installed the game, you no longer need the client or launcher. Just run the .exe file in the installation directory. (note: you still need the launcher/client in order to get the patches.)
NOTE: I do not own the windows version of the game, the information here is my UNDERSTANDING of how it all works and fits together without having actually SEEN it.
The beamdog app (I assume you mean downloader), I believe, is NOT a required part of the play of the game beyond downloading the software for installation.
If all you are worried about is the beamdog app itself, it's my understanding that you should be able to uninstall it after you've downloaded the software without an issue...so long as you don't have to re-install the software at some point you're fine without the beamdog app.
Once installed, the launcher, then, IS required to activate the software. This is part of the DRM of the product and there's no "LEGAL" way to disable it. That said, once you've activated the software the first time you no longer have to run the launcher either (though, as mentioned above, that's the only way you'll get patches).
Comments
A word of caution: given the numerous installation and play issues, perhaps wait until the next patch to have the best chance of having a reliable product.
The beamdog app (I assume you mean downloader), I believe, is NOT a required part of the play of the game beyond downloading the software for installation.
If all you are worried about is the beamdog app itself, it's my understanding that you should be able to uninstall it after you've downloaded the software without an issue...so long as you don't have to re-install the software at some point you're fine without the beamdog app.
Once installed, the launcher, then, IS required to activate the software. This is part of the DRM of the product and there's no "LEGAL" way to disable it. That said, once you've activated the software the first time you no longer have to run the launcher either (though, as mentioned above, that's the only way you'll get patches).