Ubisoft game launcher
 

I know this probably isn't the first time this subject had come up but is the game launcher that is bundled with the game (in my case the Steam version) bad? I have heard something about installing a separate updated version of the launcher before running the game for the first time and it seems to resolve the launcher crashing issue?

Though you never say so I assume you are having launch issues?
Since it is Steam I suggest you do this:

Go to the Library portion of Steam
Right Click the Silent Hunter 5 link
Choose Properties
[crap] I forget which tab it is but I think it is the 3rd one in
click the tabs until you find a button to validate local cache
Click that button and go have a beer.
My first install from Steam had over 650 bad files in it. This fixed the issues.

:subsim:

I played (read: struggled) with the Steam version for about two weeks before ordering the DVD for 6 bucks on Amazon. I still had work to do, but it was worth it for the ability to use TDW's exe fixer.

I have not had an issue with the uPlay launcher crashing with either the Steam or DVD versions.

So I did the validations and it found quite a few-almost a thousand. It fixed them. Also before I ran the game I did what I mentioned before (installed the more current version of the launcher/uplay) and everything is running smoothly *knock on wood.

woot!

Yes, that is true.

Uplay links