Ready to buy. Advice appreciated.

[jaygee485]

I'm aware that this sort of question has been asked before (I' ve seen it), but I couldn't find any of those posts right now, and anyway things may have changed.

I'm a new member who has been working towards putting a new system and peripherals together, prior to buying 'The Game' 

My system is almost ready, and I see that Battle of Stalingrad is in it's last day of sale at Steam. I would like to buy all the battles (campaigns?) directly from here, but I once read a post stating that at least one purchase has to be made from Steam in order to get the activation key.

I think, from memory, that it was Battle of Stalingrad, or maybe Battle of Sturmovik (?) that needs to be bought from Steam, then the rest of them can be bought here.

So, my question is: Do I need to make the first purchase at Steam, and, if so, does that need to be a specific Battle?

Then, another question. I once read in a post here that the member posting kept his game files on his SSD, which seemed logical to me. But I more recently read in a different post that the game should, or could, be kept on HDD. Can someone please clear up for me then: Should all of the game files be stored on HDD for best efficiency, or some of them, or can the game run just as well if everything is stored on HDD?

 

The reason I'm asking now, before my setup is quite ready, is that I'd like to take advantage of 'March Madness' sale at Steam.

Unless I'm already too late. Just reread the email, and the sale ends today. I have no idea which part of the world Steam resides in, but if I'm quick I might just make it!

Thanks to anyone who can answer my questions,

John

 

Edit: Something else I'd meant to ask: Do the various game modules have mods/updates included in them, or do they need to be located and downloaded, perhaps bought, elsewhere?

Edited March 20, 2019 by jaygee485
addition

[Elem]

13 minutes ago, jaygee485 said:

Do I need to make the first purchase at Steam, and, if so, does that need to be a specific Battle?

This is just not true. It is far better to buy any/all content from the IL-2 store directly. Avoid Steam.

It can be run from either HDD or SSD. I have ALL the BoX sims on one SSD and it loads up in seconds. It's the best way to go.

[Alexmarine]

You don't need Steam at all. You can buy all module here with no requirements... Maybe you saw one of the discussion that popped up when they added the ability to link steam and this store profiles. So don't worry, choose here and buy what you prefer 

[pilotpierre]

Wholeheartedly agree with the responses above.

[jaygee485]

39 minutes ago, Elem said:

This is just not true. It is far better to buy any/all content from the IL-2 store directly. Avoid Steam.

It can be run from either HDD or SSD. I have ALL the BoX sims on one SSD and it loads up in seconds. It's the best way to go.

 

Thanks Elem, good to know that my money will be going to the modders here rather than to a probable multinational conglomerate. My SSD is 500 gig, so I'm wondering, how much disk space does your full BoX collection take up?

 

28 minutes ago, Alexmarine28 said:

You don't need Steam at all. You can buy all module here with no requirements... Maybe you saw one of the discussion that popped up when they added the ability to link steam and this store profiles. So don't worry, choose here and buy what you prefer 

 

So, I don't need Steam at all?  I'm sure I read somewhere that I would need a key from Steam in order to play, and would have to connect with Steam each time I wanted to load the game. If that's not the case, that's very good news.

Now, I'm still curious to  know whether updates and mods need to be downloaded and added after purchase, or are they included in initial download?   

 

6 minutes ago, pilotpierre said:

Wholeheartedly agree with the responses above.

 

Cheers Pierre, great news.

Off topic I know, but are you a Crows fan?

[-332FG-Gordon200]

12 minutes ago, jaygee485 said:

how much disk space does your full BoX collection take up?

Welcome!

I have everything but Tank Crew and my total file is 20.3Gb. Put everything on SSD (M.2 Nvme if you can afford it).

 

As others have said you do not need to buy anything from Steam. The conversations you have read refer to linking existing Steam purchases to an IL*2 account.

 

Edited March 20, 2019 by Gordon200

[Herne]

Yes you do not need the steam client, some people have many games through the steam store, and find it easier if their games are in one place.

 

For these people, they should buy BoS from steam, link accounts and then they can buy all other content through the il2 store, and their purchases will just work. I actually like the steam client because it keeps my games updated just by virtue of having the steam client open.

 

If you do not have or rarely use steam, then their is no need. You will be fine with the standalone client.

[-332FG-Gordon200]

12 minutes ago, jaygee485 said:

Now, I'm still curious to  know whether updates and mods need to be downloaded and added after purchase, or are they included in initial download? 

The IL*2 launcher that will download to your desktop will automatically check for and install updates.

Once you have the download file you will be able to create a shortcut to start the game without having the launcher running in the background to enable it to run a little faster. 

[Elem]

1 hour ago, jaygee485 said:

The reason I'm asking now, before my setup is quite ready, is that I'd like to take advantage of 'March Madness' sale at Steam

So, what are you waiting for? You have the answers, here's the store...

 

https://il2sturmovik.com/store/

 

Open wallet, extract credit card and buy the lot!  Become a happy bunny.

[Azdack]

Hi 

I have difficulties to download patch 3.012 with the launcher. At "downloading game client" the launcher stops almost at the end of the downloading phase...Any advice? Thanks

[jaygee485]

12 minutes ago, Elem said:

So, what are you waiting for? You have the answers, here's the store...

 

https://il2sturmovik.com/store/

 

Open wallet, extract credit card and buy the lot!  Become a happy bunny.

 

Don't worry, I'm about to open the wallet! Keep thinking of more questions though. eg: If Battle of Sturmovik is the 'base' game, does it follow that it's best to kick off with that one,  then add the others? Or does it make no difference which one I download first.

Also, I looked in the il2 store, and couldn't see Battle of Pacific (If that's what it's called). Is this not available yet?

 

And, please, someone, still want to know the situation re updates/ patches. Are they included in purchases?

Edited March 20, 2019 by jaygee485
addition

[Elem]

4 minutes ago, jaygee485 said:

Also, I looked in the il2 store, and couldn't see Battle of Pacific

It makes absolutely no difference which one you purchase first, so long as it is one of the fully released ones. Bear in mind, when you purchase one, you are actually installing ALL available content, but you only access the things you've bought.

 

Battle of Pacific does not yet exist and is only a possible future project.

[6FG_Big_Al]

4 minutes ago, jaygee485 said:

 

Don't worry, I'm about to open the wallet! Keep thinking of more questions though. eg: If Battle of Sturmovik is the 'base' game, does it follow that it's best to kick off with that one,  then add the others? Or does it make no difference which one I download first.

Also, I looked in the il2 store, and couldn't see Battle of Pacific (If that's what it's called). Is this not available yet? 

Good morning.

 

You download in every case from the Website the launcher and download the complete game with all of its modules. So 1 Version for all. At the momen are Stalingrad, Moskau and Kuban fully available. Tank Crew Clash of Prhoporovka, Battle of Bodenplatte and Flying Circus are in Early Access. But you can still buy them and have a benefit of pre-using the current planes and a little Discount.  So it is not important which module is preferred because they are all equal. "No Main Game".

[jaygee485]

27 minutes ago, Gordon200 said:

The IL*2 launcher that will download to your desktop will automatically check for and install updates.

Once you have the download file you will be able to create a shortcut to start the game without having the launcher running in the background to enable it to run a little faster. 

 

Thanks Gordon, I missed your reply earlier as I had 2 others as well, and thanks for the welcome ? This place is very welcoming generally, so many happy to help the new guy!

I'd heard of this launcher, but don't really know what it is, I'll be finding out very soon!

 

7 minutes ago, Elem said:

It makes absolutely no difference which one you purchase first, so long as it is one of the fully released ones. Bear in mind, when you purchase one, you are actually installing ALL available content, but you only access the things you've bought.

 

Battle of Pacific does not yet exist and is only a possible future project.

 

Thanks again Elem, that clears up all of my questions - for now! once my SSD has been loaded with goodies, and I finish mounting my flight controls, I'm sure there'll  be a few more,

[J2_Jakob]

31 minutes ago, Azdack said:

Hi 

I have difficulties to download patch 3.012 with the launcher. At "downloading game client" the launcher stops almost at the end of the downloading phase...Any advice? Thanks

 

That's happening to me as well (from time to time). Last time it was Monday. After about an hour of waiting and doing other stuff I decided to close the launcher and open it again. The second time if finished without any problems.

[MasserME262]

3 hours ago, jaygee485 said:

And, please, someone, still want to know the situation re updates/ patches. Are they included in purchases?

You get them for free, yes. Once you buy any of the "battles", as others said, you get everything but has access to what you have bought. From so, updates and everything the devs do, will be applied to you without any extra cost.

 

Not sure if that was your question tho

[blitze]

Yeah - you do need a big powerful computer and VR to enjoy this title.  That and no life as it will consume you with hours of fun and challenges.

 

You can thank me later ?

Oh wait - what was the question again??

 

Buy here unless you want steam integration - then buy Battle of Stalingrad and then buy the rest here as they work together and money goes direct to developers if you buy here, no Steam Tax.

[jaygee485]

Thanks to the jet man, and blitze, for your comments.

 

I'd love to experience VR some time, but for now I'll just enjoy my new monitor. High resolution appeals to me more than total immersion, at the moment anyway.

 

Thanks again to all of you who took the time to help me out.

[w00dy]

I have Stalingrad on steam and everything else bought from il2 store, the advantage steam has is auto updates and fast downloads. For me auto updates is a must. As I have limited playing time and don't want to be waiting around for game updates when I want to play.

 

VR is very nice and the quite expensive monitor in bought, is now redundant for this game.

[PatrickAWlson]

I prefer to buy directly from the store.  Easier for me and more money to 1C.   Woody's reply is a valid reason to go to steam.  For me the update time doesn't bother me.   

Most will tell you to start with Stalingrad and that is good advice.   The exception is if you're just dying to fly a particular plane then buy that module.

Buying deluxe saves you money in the long run and gets you the planes immediately.  Exception is if you know that you really are not interested in the collectors planes that come with the module.

Be aware that Bodenplatte is still in production.  6 planes have been released but the map and other things are still being worked.  In single player all you will be able to do is fly quick missions with them.  Maps are available for multiplayer so you will be able to get more out of them in that environment.  

Moscow, Kuban, and Stalingrad are all complete.

 

VR in this game is amazing.  Understand that it costs but if you ever get the spare cash it's worth it.

[jaygee485]

Thanks W00dy and Patrick, all good, useful information. I'm going to buy the lot, while it's all on sale, and all from the local store.

[Gambit21]

19 hours ago, pilotpierre said:

Wholeheartedly agree with the responses above.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with Pierre's wholehearted agreement.

I personally have no use for Steam (although it's on my puter against my will due to the Arkham games)

 

[jaygee485]

My download is currently under way, at blistering speeds fluctuating between 250 and 900, that's kbps not mbps!

Periodically it grinds to a stop. The first time that happened, I tried cancelling the download but it just sat there  doing nothing for 10 minutes so I ended up restarting the computer to get rid of it, then restarted the computer and the download. The next time it happened, I just waited it out, and after 20 minutes it started running again. Seems very odd, and I'm not sure it's working correctly.

I was a bit puzzled when finalising my purchase, I was instructed to enter a squad number (or something like that), and to include latin letters,  numbers and underscore. I thought it must be a password for the il2 store, but I see that my user ID here has been changed to include what I entered there.    

Guess I'll just change it back to how I had it.

 

OK. I just went to my profile, intending to change my user name back to how it was,  but couldn't find a way to do that. Is it possible to edit username, or am I stuck with it now? 

Edited March 21, 2019 by 485_Squadjaygee485
addition

[jaygee485]

"When all else fails, refer to the manual."

Found the answer to my question in: Game setup and settings FAQ

Thanks for posting that, Zak