Regarding purchasing from steam or developers

[Kreston]

Looking to get into IL2, after searching around I found out about the latest sale. But before jumping in I have a few questions I'd like to ask, namely:
1. Main differences between buying from developers vs buying from steam
2. If I do buy from steam, will I be able to use collector planes like the Spitfire Mk Vb in the base game without purchasing "Battle of Kuban"?
3. After seeing some relatively old steam forums discussing the game, I saw something about a license key and something about purchases made on steam not carrying over to the developers website. I would like some clarification on this. Link to the particular thread is here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/307960/discussions/0/3276824488711291268/
4. I am aware the game is best enjoyed with a flight stick, until I can find one within my budget does anyone know any up to date info regarding the state of mouse aim in IL2?

Any answers really appreciated to help clarify my doubts, thank you in advance. Happy flying

[Zeev]

1. a. You are supporting devs. Steam takes 30% cut.
   b. You have to buy Battle of Stalingrad to be able to purchase DLCs. Here you can buy anything you want as first product.
2. You can buy collectors plane in Steam separately. 
3. Other users can provide more details. There were also older threads here that discussed it, you can try searching this forum.
4. I would not recommend using the mouse, but this is one of the simulators that supports native Xbox One controller and I am mostly playing with Dualshock 4 which can provide "TrackIr" experience by moving the touch pad that will move the camera for you (need separate configuration, I can send you the profiles if you need)

[Kreston]

5 hours ago, Zeev said:

1. a. You are supporting devs. Steam takes 30% cut.
   b. You have to buy Battle of Stalingrad to be able to purchase DLCs. Here you can buy anything you want as first product.
2. You can buy collectors plane in Steam separately. 
3. Other users can provide more details. There were also older threads here that discussed it, you can try searching this forum.
4. I would not recommend using the mouse, but this is one of the simulators that supports native Xbox One controller and I am mostly playing with Dualshock 4 which can provide "TrackIr" experience by moving the touch pad that will move the camera for you (need separate configuration, I can send you the profiles if you need)

So for question 2. I just nee BoS as a base to be able to use any plane, yes?

As for 3 will buying everything from the Devs website subvert most of those problems?

And yes some profiles would be nice. But seeing as I ve never owned a console in my life I might just have to find something from somewhere

[Zeev]

11 hours ago, Kreston said:

So for question 2. I just nee BoS as a base to be able to use any plane, yes?

As for 3 will buying everything from the Devs website subvert most of those problems?

And yes some profiles would be nice. But seeing as I ve never owned a console in my life I might just have to find something from somewhere

2. Yes I think so. I would ask also in Steam forums to be 100% sure.

3. Yes.

Before I send profile let me know what device do you have. Do you have Xbox One Controller or Dualshock 4? The last one is better because it has touchpad which helps a lot with the camera movement in dogfights. BUT. I use it with "Casual" settings and not realistic because with gamepad it would be hard to control the plane when all the physics realism settings are enabled. But default normal setting will be OK.

Edited October 28, 2020 by Zeev

[Soilworker]

My recommendation is to buy it from the website. Having it on Steam makes it a little more convoluted than really necessary but more importantly (as Zeev said) the devs receive more money which means more funding for new content and updates (they do an enormous amount of updates and fixes that cost us nothing and the are only a fairly small team who really deserve all the money they can get.) ?

[CanadaOne]

Better to buy here.

 

I use Steam for everything except this sim. Why? Not sure. But the purchasing and installs and updates here are always smooth. And you come here anyway to get your info, and you will need info along the way, so why not.

 

 

[Kreston]

Thanks for the help guys, looking forward to flying