I need some help with considering Steam vs Stand Alone

[Stormheart]

I have an issue that makes Steam SEEM like a highly desirable way to go for me.

There is much I do not like about it but the one issue all but handcuffs me.

That issue is that I live in a developing nation and my internet speed is pretty bad. It took me almost 24 hours to install DCS. I still don't have the F4 update because of that. I just skipped it. I saw many people say it took four hours, that likely means 24 hours for me. 

That's why I think I need to go with Steam. As I understand, it updates in the background. However, I'm not looking forward to going through the process of the change to Steam. 

I'm wondering if I will lose out on the sales of aircraft. I'm new and I have yet to purchase anything.  I have been waiting for the summer sale. 
I know I will lose the miles and once I switch, I lose the trails too.  Again, the download times are my controlling issue. Do these sales show up in the Steam versions?

I will need to uninstall DCS standalone and install the Steam version, right?

I hope it is okay to ask this here. I am a bit irritated with Steam right now. I can't post on their forums until I spend $5 and I'm still unsure if I want to use their software. That's another strike against them. 

I do need more help with this. 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 8, 2024 by Stormheart

[7HUNDERH0R53]

When DCS has sales, those sales also post on Steam, but typically the Steam sale dates do not line up with DCS sale dates. Usually, if DCS has a sale, the sale will happen a few days later on Steam. Presale discounts and Early Access discounts are a little bit of a grey area. Steam no longer offers presale purchases (purchasing the module before release), but most developers have seemed to be willing to offer a discount once the product is available on Steam. Sometimes, the discount isn't as high for Steam users, but that depends on the developer. Notably, Razbam offered a higher Presale discount for Stadalone purchases for the F-15E, but the discount was not as high for Steam when the F-15E was released. This is not typical of all 3rd parties, but it's a chance you take with Steam. Heatblur did offer a discount for Steam users for the F-4E when it was released and the Steam crowd really appreciated it. As you pointed out, the miles program does not apply to Steam, but if I remember right, DCS is eliminating the program on Standalone anyway (I'm sure someone can verify this). One benefit to Steam is the fact that any DLC purchases can be moved to standalone if you wish to switch, but Standalone purchases CANNOT be moved to Steam.

So, to summarize...

Steam Pros: Faster download times, access to DCS sales, early access discounts, can transfer DLC to Standalone if you switch.

Steam Cons: Can't purchase a module before release, possible to not have higher presale discounts, must run Steam while running DCS, DCS sales typically occur later than Standalone. No 1st module discount.

Standalone Pros: You can get 50% off your first module (this is still a thing, right?) Access to two week trial period for any module, access to sales earlier than Steam, access to miles program (if still available), can purchase module before release and with any applicable discount. Do not need to run Steam while running DCS

Standalone Cons: HORRENDOUS download speeds. Can't transfer DLC to Steam.

Even though I've been tempted to switch completely to Standalone, I am a Steam user and don't feel that the advantages of Standalone outweigh the awful download rates of the Standalone version. I used to have both Standalone and Steam installed on my computer before ED removed the ability to have DLC access on both versions simultaneously. Since then, I've gone to Steam exclusively. It does suck not to be able to take buy a module before release or get a higher presale discount or whatever, but I do like not having to wait an eternity to play after any update.

This is just my 2 cents, I know that there are a lot of people that are all for the Standalone version. Hopefully they can add to this discussion.

[MAXsenna]

@Stormheart Why don't you just try? You can have both Standalone and Steam installed at the same time.
I agree with pretty much all of @7HUNDERH0R53 's points, except the download speed. That will depend on your ISP and where you are. My DL speeds are twice or sometimes three times with the Standalone updater compared to the DL speed I get from Steam. The Updater pretty much maxes out my connection at ≈62MBps, while my ISP connection is rated at 500Mbps. So I'm pretty happy.
Cheers!

PS: No more 50% first time discount purchase. Shouldn't really be an issue as there are sales all the time.

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