Long term strategy regarding Steam?

[pittlebelge]

I'm wondering about the general long term strategy of ED regarding Steam.

 

Right now, the biggest reason why I stick with Steam is the download size required to switch. As I understand it, every new terrain and every new fully voiced campaign will make the transition even more painful.

 

Now, I know that Steam haters are likely to bash me but you got to realize that there is a sizable crowd playing on steam: http://steamspy.com/app/223750

 

In the long run does ED plan to level the module accessibility between Steam and non Steam release? I understand that in the current situation (1.5 and 2.0 alpha existing together) it might induce more confusion. But once 2.5 gets released, will a Steam user be able to download early access products otherwise available in the non Steam version?

 

In other word, should I switch ASAP or should I wait for clearer skies?

 

Cheers.

[NineLine]

ED first releases on e-shop and then later on Steam once they feel the module is in or near a final release state.

[Grimes]

The transition shouldn't be that bad actually. Most of the files between the two versions are identical. In fact I think the difference is just one or two files. So you can easily copy/paste DCS as downloaded from steam into a new folder and the standalone's auto-updater should be able to detect those files and install only what is needed if you tell it to install into that specific folder.

[BFBunny]

If happy with the unified gaming system of steam then keep at it.

 

You only miss out on early access to some planes. The mc2000 was pretty rubbish to begin with and did not offer an experience that players expected, same story with the hawk, the mig 21, the a10c, every module pretty much that has ever been in early beta has had the issues that come associated with that level of polish. It mostly works, call yourself a test pilot if makes it easier to buy into.

 

So with steam you get later beta versions where it's 80 - 99% finished, but there may be some quirks or errors that have been missed while building and implementing. Usually a casual eye would class these types of modules finished and they usually end up on steam.

 

Steam players can't take advantage of offers provided to stand alone players where stand alone players can participate in steam sales and use those purchases in the stand alone client due to licence transfer.

 

Steam takes a percentage of the sales price so if you're the kind of person that likes to go to their local grocer rather than the big hypermarket then it's a small pat on the back to the dev team.

 

You miss out on the multiple module bonus (if the dev team supports it) which can help justify that next purchase and will often lead to future purchases from players. ED has started to work in discounts using your un-spent bonus money in your account.

 

You won't get the latest flashy toys using steam, but you'll get them when they work as intended and to be honest even as a stand alone user I avoid early beta for this reason.

 

Noodles, don't noodles... You are too concerned about what was and what will be.

 

Well all fly in together, that's the main thing.

[Fri13]

Steam might take own cut, but so does ED by offering discount points for purchases. Like if you now go to buy the M2000C, you will pay $59.99 and you get $12 points. That means the next module you buy will be discounted that amount.

 

So the trick here is that to get that discount, you need to buy a second module and you get only to what, -50% at max or so?

While with Steam, developers suffers get the "discount" in the every purchase.

 

Why I stick on the Steam?

• All my games are there, I don't need to manage multiple systems on multiple computer.
  
• I get max download speeds.
  
• I can easily do files validation checks etc.
  
• I can always get the ED standalone version as CD-keys goes from Steam > Standalone
  
• I get to use Steam Overlay in DCS (web browser, VoIP etc)
  
• I get to use Steam Controller too (yes, my primary is still G940)
  
• My credit card is behind two step verification security (Steam security)
  
• Steam automatically does all updates etc anyways
  

 

The bad sides:

• ED doesn't like to use the Beta features in Steam (you can opt-in for betas to get early access etc)
  

 

 

Sure, ED needs to run their own business, give it the priority over Steam. But like now, I would have already bought M2000C for full price if available via Steam. Now I wait that it goes to special sale (why? Because I need to wait anyways and I feel I am second class customer anyways so...) and seems to happen with the Gazelle and other modules as well. I wouldn't go to buy from ED store anyways so then I wait for those -15% -20% sales.

(And those who say that they want to support the development, then buy some modules from them, and then sell those keys for others for -50% and you get half your money back, while ED gets full payment and some people get the module. My feedback from beta and such modules would be the quality feedback or community participation. Now I can't get the beta, so no deal).