Nugget Question: STEAM or Standalone???

[GeneO]

Hey y'all!!!

 

I'm totally "green" and "tech adverse" to all of this!!!  D'OH!!!  I just ordered a new PC that will hopefully show up before Christmas.  In the meantime I thought I would take advantage of the sale that is going on.  I think I'm going to start with Flaming Cliffs 3.  But first I have a couple of questions...

 

Can I buy a title(s) now and then download/activate them when my computer shows up?

 

What are the pros/cons between buying a STEAM version vs. the standalone version?

 

About two years ago or so, DCS announced they would be releasing "Modern Air Combat."  Has this title been put on the scrapheap?  

 

Thanks in advance for your help and cheers!!!

 

 

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

MAC is in development yet, I think. They were a bit silent about it.
It´s not a nice time to buy, you just missed Black Friday Sales, and Xmas sales are hence around the corner (about 21-22nd december). So my advice is waiting for sales, meanwhile your new computer shows up.
FC3 planes, with no clickable cockpit are somehow trickier, even though they have simple systems. If any aircraft you love in real life is on DCS, go directly for it.
Steam got a bit different sales seasons, you also miss the ED miles program for discounts for further buyings. Other than that, it´s the same game.
What´s your HOTAS? TrackIR? VR?

What´s more, heads over Mudspike.com and look for Chuck Guides, they are like DCS modules manuals on steroides, so you can start learning modules or deciding which one you prefer most and take and quick glance of them

[GeneO]

Hey Tundra...

 

Thanks for the info and advice.  I'm heading to Mudspike now.

 

Cheers!

 

g

[jfri]

20 hours ago, Tundra said:

Steam got a bit different sales seasons, you also miss the ED miles program for discounts for further buyings. Other than that, it´s the same game.

In addition to that it should also be mentioned that many modules are not working with Steam. I first used Steam and left it for stand alone which was a very good choice.

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

2 hours ago, jfri said:

In addition to that it should also be mentioned that many modules are not working with Steam. I first used Steam and left it for stand alone which was a very good choice.

Which ones?

[Taz1004]

To be fair, pro of Steam should be mentioned too.

 

If you buy from Steam, you have option to play DCS on both Steam and Standalone platform.

 

If you buy from ED, you can only play on Standalone.

[=Mac=]

I abhor Steam. There are plenty of other games at Steam but, because Steam screwed me hard several years ago, I've hated them and now lose out on many good games. But DCS is NOT only on STEAM!!!!! I can't live without my DCS.

[Evoman]

The biggest benefit of using the standalone is that there are far more sales available through out the year than Steam. The sales also come first to the standalone. On top of that you earn points with every purchase that can be used towards a next purchase.

And from what I saw the free to try before you buy events are only available trough the standalone. Not sure if that will still be the case.

[Home Fries]

One thing about steam is that it auto-updates instead of checking for updates when you launch DCS.  This can be good (convenient) or bad if you like to use mods and would like to control your updates.  You can use the steam overlay in standalone DCS by adding DCS as a non-steam game, but it won't track your play like it would the native steam version.

 

Also, to clarify, you can buy DCS modules on steam and play them on standalone by linking your steam account to your ED account.  However, modules purchased directly from ED will not work on the steam version of DCS.  Standalone gives you maximum flexibility in this matter.

 

My personal opinion: the benefits of standalone outweigh the convenience of steam.

[Taz1004]

2 minutes ago, Home Fries said:

Also, to clarify, you can buy DCS modules on steam and play them on standalone by linking your steam account to your ED account.  However, modules purchased directly from ED will not work on the steam version of DCS.  Standalone gives you maximum flexibility in this matter.

 

"Standalone" give you maximum flexibility?

 

Another benefit of Steam is the refund policy.  You can return DLC (modules) as long as you play less than 2 hours.  Whereas ED store has no refund on e-purchases.  You can even get refund on Steam after 2 hours /14 day period if you have valid reason.

 

Just highlighting pros too as the OP requested.

[Lange_666]

If you could get yourself payed a dollar from Steam each time you mention how good it is, you would be a very rich man there Tazzy.

[Home Fries]

17 hours ago, Taz1004 said:

 

"Standalone" give you maximum flexibility?

 

Yes.  Steam version will allow DLC purchased only on Steam.  Standalone version will allow DLC purchased either on Steam or directly from ED.

[Taz1004]

1 hour ago, Lange_666 said:

If you could get yourself payed a dollar from Steam each time you mention how good it is, you would be a very rich man there Tazzy.

 

I don't think I can consider to be rich with 3 dollars.

And do I give dollar back for every time I criticize Steam?  I'd be really poor then.

Just trying to give unbiased info.

 

32 minutes ago, Home Fries said:

Yes.  Steam version will allow DLC purchased only on Steam.  Standalone version will allow DLC purchased either on Steam or directly from ED.

 

It's strange how you put that.  You're saying from playing point of view I guess that's true.  From buying point of view as the OP asked, buying from Steam gives more flexibility as your purchase lets you play on both platform.

Edited December 9, 2020 by Taz1004

[Home Fries]

 

2 minutes ago, Taz1004 said:

 

I don't think I can consider to be rich with 3 dollars.

Just trying to give unbiased info.

 

 

It's strange how you put that.  You're saying from playing point of view I guess that's true.  From buying point of view as the OP asked, buying from Steam gives more flexibility as your purchase lets you play on both platform.

Buying on Steam and playing on Standalone gives you the most compatibility, putting it that way.

[Beirut]

I have DCS on Steam, about a dozen modules and all the maps,  and I don't have any problems with it. I can't say if it's better or worse than through the DCS site, but I play a lot of DCS and I find everything to be fine. Updates and installs are all done no problem at all.

 

 

[GeneO]

Hey y'all!!!  Thanks for all the great info to my original question!!!  Hmmm...  What to do???

 

OK...  A few more stupid questions.

 

I have a new PC on order from IBUYPOWER (my current PC has been classified an historic relic by the Smithsonian).  And just like 99.5% of the world, by new PC is delayed by new processor and video card shortages.  So, I ordered a machine with AMD 5900X and a NVIDIA 3080.  I've been reading the formus here and over on the IL-2 site.  You computer techies really know how to mess with a civil/environmental engineer's brain pan!!!  So since I'm in a "holding pattern" for my new PC:

 

Is the mating of the 5900X and 3080 OK?  Is it a matter of personal taste?  Should I try to change from the 3080 to an AMD 6800/6800XT?  Or maybe wait until the 3080 Ti comes out?

 

Last dumb question fro now...  Since I won't have my new PC for awhile (ACK!!!!), if I choose to by modules from ED/DCS (cuz of the sale going on), can I pirchase the modules now and download them to my new PC whenever it shows up?

 

Thanks in advance, y'all!!!

 

g

[Home Fries]

I can answer the last question: yes!

 

The modules are tied to your account, so you need only log into your account and the modules will be available for download (via the download manager) when you start DCS.  

[Beirut]

11 hours ago, Geeno said:

 

Is the mating of the 5900X and 3080 OK?  

 

No, it will be terrible. You should send the CPU and GPU to me the moment they arrive and save yourself from the impending horror. 

[BullRot]

5900X and RTX3080 are compatible. Only some CPU with hybrid GPU structure may interact due to drivers, but that would take advantage in DX12 games.
AMD 5900X is just a CPU. Any GPU will do. My son got AMD 3900X CPU with GTX1660 GPU. Super performance and no issues.
RTX 3080 is really solid GPU. I got RTX 3070 and no problems at all.

Anyway  both your CPU and GPU are ones of top notch.
I wouldn't trust AMD GPU display drivers, also overmarketed and overbenchmarked 6800XT is so great only due to DLSS equivalent (FX functions) to blurry all for performance and sharpen the objects in focus again for quality. No need to pair CPU and GPU brands. You are good to go.

Performance wise, such setup will be excellent and far ahead of time ! 

-----------------------------------------------------------
Now I would like to steal the topic. Same theme.

I got many modules on Steam linked with ED account. 
I want DCS for my son, but Steam sales are over. Beside of shortage of good HOTAS in UK, if he goes Standalone and we intend to play together, there is no limiting factor?
 

Edited January 5, 2021 by BullRot

[Home Fries]

You can fly multiplayer between steam and standalone, so no limiting factor.