when i click the "play" symbol to start the game,
it says launcher stopped working..
what does this mean?
how does it affect the game or the mod installations?

Thats The Same Thing That Is Happening To Me! D:

If you're having a technical problem with the game then you need to check the FAQs in the Help section (link at the very top of the page) and if they don't fix your problem then post your question in the Help forum.

FWIW my launcher keeps crashing too but as my game starts regardless I'm not really bothered about it.

I FOUND OUT A WAY TO LAUNCH IT.
and sorry i totally forgot about the technical thing.