In order to download ROM you now have to use the BETA gameforge live launcher. SW is still in beta and now we get another program (on top of overwolf, the rom hub) to bog the computer down.... good going gameforge, way to show us you care....
these are my favorite Quotes from
http://gfl.gameforge.com/
"With it, all of your games will be just a click away" really I didn't realize the desk top .exe was more than a click away.
"Current patches and updates will be automatically downloaded" they were never manual......
"The games can also be launched from Gameforge Live" so now my game experience is more complicated
"Gameforge Live is currently only available for Windows" good luck Mac and Linux users
[h=3]"Do I have to install Gameforge Live to be able to play one of Gameforge's games?"[/h]"It makes the download, the installation and the patching of the game much easier. Even launching the game afterwards can be done from Gameforge Live. You will only have to install it once to do all this." ... you still haven't answered the question.... (by the way this means no, you can't play it without gameforge live.)
In regards to system performance
no negative effects... generally "makes it possible for you to start playing straight away." ... wow... after install I can play the game... I don't remember this being an issue before.....