Steam or through the ED site?

[Jester238]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm finally ready to jump in and pick up one of the DCS games, not positive if I'm going to go with Black Shark or A-10, as both real life vehicles are extremely fascinating to me. That said, I'm not sure what the best way to go about purchasing is.

 

I prefer (like many) to purchase the bulk of my PC games through Steam. It's just an easy way to keep track of what's on my hard drive and keeps me from losing games. However, I've heard it mentioned that with DCS it's all or nothing, either you have everything on Steam or everything off Steam, otherwise they won't interact. Because of this, I'm very hesitant to pick the game up on Steam, as if a DCS game for some reason does not see a Steam release it would mean I wouldn't be able to get the full value out of having my games interacting.

 

On the flip side, I've been burned by buying direct from the publisher. Sometimes you can only access your download for a few days and if you switch machines (something I'm likely to do in the next 6-8 months) then you can't access your games. Could anyone offer some advice on what the best option is?

[Lane]

For Ka 50 ( Black Shark ) i suggest you to dont buy it by Steam ... because they sell only BS1 and the upgrade to BS2 need to be anyway purchased on DCS site . It will be better for you to purchase it directly from DCS sites . ( dont worry files to DL are on the site and the key activation in your account . )

 

For A10C, you can purchase it from Steam, but sometimes the update was not made at the same time they was released by DCS and as now all DCS Simulators are in the same environnement, DCS World It is really better to buy it directly on the site. As you will run the game outside steam anyway ( DCS World is a global environnement who include modules: A10C, Blackshark 2, P51D beta and Combine Arms beta ofc if you have purchase thoses modules )

 

You can use the Steam activation code on a full install outside Steam anyway if you have purchase it from Steam. But right now i think it better to buy it directly outside Steam.

( for by example activate A10C in DCS World )... but again why purchase it from Steam when you will necessary got it outside Steam then, in DCS World. ( and so the game will be installed 2 times, 1 time in Steam game folder and 1 time in DCS World )

 

So far for what i Know, Steam dont sell DCS World, nor BlackShark2 ( Ka50 v2 the updated 2012 version of KA50 ( who run with the same engine of DCS A10C )

Edited July 11, 2012 by Lane

[GhostDog]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm finally ready to jump in and pick up one of the DCS games, not positive if I'm going to go with Black Shark or A-10, as both real life vehicles are extremely fascinating to me. That said, I'm not sure what the best way to go about purchasing is.

 

I prefer (like many) to purchase the bulk of my PC games through Steam. It's just an easy way to keep track of what's on my hard drive and keeps me from losing games. However, I've heard it mentioned that with DCS it's all or nothing, either you have everything on Steam or everything off Steam, otherwise they won't interact. Because of this, I'm very hesitant to pick the game up on Steam, as if a DCS game for some reason does not see a Steam release it would mean I wouldn't be able to get the full value out of having my games interacting.

 

On the flip side, I've been burned by buying direct from the publisher. Sometimes you can only access your download for a few days and if you switch machines (something I'm likely to do in the next 6-8 months) then you can't access your games. Could anyone offer some advice on what the best option is?

 

Eagle Dynamics' digital distribution and authentication system is pretty robust and reliable. I wouldn't worry about not being able to access your downloads or switch machines. You can download as many times as necessary, for as long as you like, and their DRM system lets you deactivate on one machine and reactivate on another if you choose. If you ever have activation or installation problems, their customer service is speedy and reliable. All you need to do is send an email or post on the forums. Most times, you'll have the issue resolved within a day or two.

[Jester238]

OK, thanks for the response!

So I guess my question is how are the downloads from the site managed? Will I be able to download and install it as many times as I want? Is there a time limit on how long you can access the download for? Etc. I just don't want to have to rebuy it if I switch PCs in a year.

 

Thanks again.

[joey45]

You can download the files without logging in to your account. The only time you need to login is to ..

A] buy a module

B] see your CD / Activation key.

 

What I do is cut and Paste my Activation key and Trans key to a Tex doc so I don'y have to login.

[Jona33]

OK, thanks for the response!

So I guess my question is how are the downloads from the site managed? Will I be able to download and install it as many times as I want? Is there a time limit on how long you can access the download for? Etc. I just don't want to have to rebuy it if I switch PCs in a year.

 

Thanks again.

 

You can download the files as much as you want. It does tell you your key on the site but I'd keep a copy of the email they send you with it to hand. I'd go for ED site personally. Steam has been slow on updating and DCS world and BS2 are not on Steam.

[Jester238]

Great, thanks for all the info! I'll go ahead and order through the ED site. I'm sorry if this ended up being in the wrong forum, my question kind of changed as responses came in.

 

I appreciate the help!

[slug88]

BTW, the following is false; Steam installs can play fine with ED installs, as long as they're at the same version:

 

However, I've heard it mentioned that with DCS it's all or nothing, either you have everything on Steam or everything off Steam, otherwise they won't interact.

[ShuRugal]

I've heard it mentioned that with DCS it's all or nothing, either you have everything on Steam or everything off Steam, otherwise they won't interact.

 

 

it's not that they don't interact, but players who have purchased the steam version seem to have more quirks getting things to work properly than players who just bought direct from ED.

[Lucky]

Stay as far away from Steam as humanly possible.

[thinkr]

Stay as far away from Steam as humanly possible.

 

Only if your talking Buying DCS Series. I bought direct, I was glad i did. For everything else Like Arma2 /CS:Source / DIPRIP Steam is great.:thumbup:

[Amuro]

Only if your talking Buying DCS Series. I bought direct, I was glad i did. For everything else Like Arma2 /CS:Source / DIPRIP Steam is great.:thumbup:

Yeah, I love Steam too, have hundreds of games on it, but for ED products, buy direct is better unless you get a really good deal then buy from Steam but activate it on ED's site.