Overview
Nexus is a local-first desktop application. Your game library, play sessions, collections, notes, tags, and all personal data are stored in a local SQLite database on your computer. We do not operate user accounts, cloud servers, or backend databases that store your information. An optional Google Drive backup feature lets you store encrypted copies of your database in your own Google account — this is entirely opt-in.
Data We Do Not Collect
Nexus does not collect, transmit, or store any of the following on Nexus-operated servers (the optional Google Drive backup uploads data to your own Google account — see below):
- Personal information (name, email, address)
- Game library contents or play history
- Collections, tags, notes, or milestones
- Play session data or statistics
- Screenshots, artwork, or media files
- System hardware information
Data Stored Locally
All application data is stored in a SQLite database on your machine, typically located in your system's app data directory. This includes:
- Game metadata imported from your installed launchers (Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Amazon Games)
- Play session timestamps and durations
- Collections, tags, notes, milestones, and progress data
- Application preferences and settings
- Cached artwork and cover images
You own this data entirely. You can delete it at any time by uninstalling Nexus or removing the database file.
Third-Party Services
Nexus communicates with the following external services to provide its features. These connections are initiated by the application on your device and do not pass through any Nexus-operated servers.
Game Metadata & Artwork
Nexus fetches game metadata from IGDB (via the Twitch/IGDB API) and cover artwork from SteamGridDB. These requests include game titles for search purposes. You provide your own API keys for these services, and their respective privacy policies apply.
HowLongToBeat
When enabled, Nexus queries HowLongToBeat to fetch estimated completion times. Requests include the game title being searched. Results are cached locally.
Twitch Integration
If you connect your Twitch account, Nexus uses the Twitch API to display live streams, followed channels, and trending games. Nexus stores your OAuth token locally and uses it to make API requests directly to Twitch. We never see or store your Twitch credentials on any server.
Google Drive Backup
If you enable cloud backup, Nexus connects to Google Drive using OAuth 2.0 with PKCE. When you authorise the connection, Nexus receives an access token and refresh token that are stored locally on your device (encrypted at rest). Nexus requests only the drive.file scope, which limits access to files created by Nexus — it cannot read or modify any other files in your Google Drive.
Backups consist of a copy of your local SQLite database (containing your game library, play sessions, collections, tags, notes, milestones, and settings) uploaded to a dedicated "Nexus Backups" folder in your Google Drive. Your Google email address is stored locally so Nexus can display which account is connected. No backup data passes through any Nexus-operated server — uploads go directly from your device to Google's servers.
You can disconnect Google Drive at any time from Settings, which deletes all locally stored tokens. Existing backups on your Google Drive are not deleted and can be managed from drive.google.com.
Update Checks
Nexus periodically checks GitHub for new releases. These requests include standard HTTP headers (user agent, IP address) as part of normal web traffic. No personal data is sent.
Website Analytics
The Nexus website (nexusgamelauncher.com) uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use the site. Google Analytics collects anonymised usage data such as page views, referral sources, and general geographic region. This data is governed by Google's Privacy Policy. The Nexus desktop application does not include any analytics or telemetry.
Cookies
The Nexus website uses cookies set by Google Analytics to distinguish unique visitors and track sessions. No cookies are used for advertising or personalisation. The Nexus desktop application does not use cookies.
Children's Privacy
Nexus is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Since Nexus does not collect personal information from any user, this concern does not apply in practice.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of Nexus after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, you can reach us on the Nexus Discord community.