On the fence: To activate on steam, or to leave it alone

[avlSteve]

On the one hand, I really, really like Steam.  I feel like they made it specifically for clowns like me who never could find disk #4, let alone remember what site I purchased something from.  It's extremely handy when I get a new computer.

 

On the other hand, I've never had a single issue with a reinstall of BOS or ROF or Muromets.  

 

So I'd like to have it on Steam, mainly because that's where almost all my games are, plus I wouldn't mind posting a review.  BUT hammering away in the back of my mind is the infamous, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

And if I activate on Steam, will my BOM aircraft be available, etc?  Can I activate those in the same process?

 

Any advice or opinions welcome.  Thanks!

 

 

[Guest deleted@50488]

I used Steam for MS FLIGHT, long ago, FSX:SE and IL2 CloD. 

 

Haven't got it installed because I quited MS FLIGHT the day MS abandoned it, FSX:SE was replaced by theP3dv2, and Il2 CloD while interesting to use isn't ant near comparable to il2-BoS and the upcoming BoM

 

For Il2 always used the direct sales from their software house, and I think that's the best way to support them, and I think they get a biggest share that way...

 

Nothing wrong with Steam though... Just my option.

Edited August 16, 2015 by jcomm

[Jade_Monkey]

I think that if you get the steam key, you get to keep the direct download as well. So there is no downside to it.

 

I currently have the steam and non steam versions installed simultaneously. I have switched back and forth without any issues.

[Feathered_IV]

All Steam seems to offer is several hundred extra megabytes of empty data and a slight delay when there's an update. 

[Finkeren]

I like Steam, but I see no reason to move my copy of BoS to Steam.

[9./JG27golani79]

I like Steam, but I see no reason to move my copy of BoS to Steam.

^This

 

I´m also using Steam for most of my other games but games which can be run without Steam I tend to keep them that way.

No benefits from changing to Steam.

[Skoop]

The only advantage I see for using steam is like you said in the op for ease of reinstall. Other benefit is it lets all your steam friends know that you are playing BOS and may incline them to join you, but you can add a non steam game to steam to get that effect. You just have to remember to launch the through steam so the overlay starts up.

 

The only thing I feel I'm missing at this point not using the steam version is having steam track my game time usage, always nice having it log the amount of time your in game. I wonder if there's a way to add that feature when you add a non steam game to steam ?

Edited August 17, 2015 by Skoop

[CheeseGromit]

I moved to Steam solely for the automatic updates. I wasn't playing very often at the time and it was just more convenient than waiting for the client to update when I did want to play. It also functions as a patch alert if I'm not reading the forums.

[9./JG52Gruber]

Automatic updates and trading cards would be the big reasons why. Also all your steam friends can see you playing and maybe get interested in the title.

[-TBC-AeroAce]

I really don't see the point of going to steam apart from being able to see when your mates are playing. And as for the benefits of auto updates the BOS one is more than fine and just as automatic just open the launcher and it will do it all for you in a very short amount of time

Edited August 17, 2015 by [WSB]AeroACE

[L1A1]

The only time i have used "steam" was when i had CLOD.i uninstalled it and don't play it now. Steam support is next to useless, very user unfriendly and obstructive, but the main thing is steam update, something that you have no control over, yes, you can "disable" it ... up to a point, but eventually it will get you and it will update the engine with an awfull lot of rubbish that you don't need, or want, which had nothing to do with CLOD, this used up my broadband allowance badly sometimes (i'm on 20gb a month)

 

In all in found it all very frustrating tbh.I wont go near it again.

[avlSteve]

I couldn't leave it alone. 

 

Steam took the BOS key fine.  Next thing I knew, I had to download the game for an hour and a half, 4.1GB.  

 

Copied the Steam CD keys to clipboard, but... BOS ain't taking them.  Says "invalid license key" for both the 190 and LA5.  No clue where the I16 and Macchi are.  Can't launch from the launcher, of course ("key not activated").  Guess I'll wait and see what happens after the Steam download.

 

I wasn't expecting to see "invalid license key" so I put in a support ticket.  

[avlSteve]

BUT... It was operator error.  Had the keys for the premium aircraft swapped, DOH!  

 

All set now with the steam version, which does include the BOM aircraft, and which will need keys mapped and settings adjustments.  

 

I think that if you get the steam key, you get to keep the direct download as well. So there is no downside to it.

I currently have the steam and non steam versions installed simultaneously. I have switched back and forth without any issues.

 

Confirmed, and agreed.  Thanks, CBZ323!

 

Thanks, all.

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

-snip-

 

And then there's the whole point about them taking a slice of the developers money or what not...

 

-snip-

 

Steam provides a centralized digital marketplace that actually drives sales because of the convenience and ease of operation.

 

I never understood the majority of consumers and their tinfoil hat approach to purchasing content/utilizing content through Steam's distribution platform... To each their own, I suppose.

[Sokol1]

 

-snip-

 

And then there's the whole point about them taking a slice of the developers money or what not...

 

-snip-

 

 

And the advertising that STEAM make for the games don't worth it?

 

In the same way that are players that don't buy from STEAM are ones that only buy if the game are in STEAM.

[CBAPHOI]

I've recently had my steam account hijacked, and even though it was almost three months ago I still haven't got it back. What worse is that instead of solving my problem they entertain themselves by asking me the same quiestions over and over again, even though I gave all the needed info a long time ago. So yeah, steam is great.