Two Installs (IL-2 Store and Steam) - any way to sync so all content is in both?

[Patricks]

I usually run IL-2 through Steam but 90% of my content was purchased through the IL2 Store. Steam purchases were Bos and FC1 IIRC (you can see the missing badges here).. didn't know any better at the time. I like the ability to run Mods ON with all my JSGME add-ons and figured just set up the IL2 Store install with Mods ON and IL2 Steam with no mods for (most) MP. Issue is if I use my IL2 Store Install most of my campaigns are Locked out. Is there ANY way to get the two installs in sync so they both have the same content? I don't even care if I have to buy FC1 and BoS fron the IL2 store, but this is what I get when I try and do that, afraid it isn't going to work?

 

 

Edited January 14, 2022 by =LD=Icer
Added image

[LLv24_SukkaVR]

Link your account to Steam in Steam version login screen. I have only BoS bought from Steam and everything else from IL-2 store and it works perfectly.

[Patricks]

48 minutes ago, LLv24_SukkaVR said:

Link your account to Steam in Steam version login screen. I have only BoS bought from Steam and everything else from IL-2 store and it works perfectly.

 

The Steam version IS linked, which is why all content is available when running it from C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\bin\game\IL-2.exe. If I run the IL-2 Store version from C:\Program Files (x86)\1C Game Studios\IL-2 Sturmovik Great Battles\bin\game\IL-2.exe content is missing. In other words Steam accepted/linked the IL-2 store content but the IL-2 Store installation did not reciprocate. A possible solution would be to re-purchase the two missing modules from the IL-2 store (has to be as a gift as I already own them - purchased from Steam) but i'm not sure that will solve the problem.. will I be able to install them?

 

My "understanding" is that ALL content is included in the installation and that purchasing modules simply unlocks it. I simply need my 1C Game Studios install's BoS and FC1 unlocked. I may attempt uninstalling the Steam version so IL2 Store doesn't see the 2 modules, then purchase the missing modules, then try to install them... then reinstall the Steam version. Worst case i'll gift the modules to someone if I fail.

 

 

Edited January 6, 2022 by =LD=Icer

[Drum]

I've been though this myself and my suggestion to you is don't frustrate yourself over this anymore because they will not change it.  If you buy directly from the IL-2 store it will show up as an Icon within these forms but not vise vera.  If you buy from the IL-2 store you can also buy same item again later from the Steam store, however that's not the case if you purchase the item first from Steam...

Also, I've tried removing items from my Steam account first purchased on Steam (permanently) thinking I could then repurchase them from the IL-2 store but that doesn't work either because the IL-2 store still tells you that you own it, thus only allows you to purchase item(s) as gifts.  Luckily, I was still able to retrieve the deleted items on Steam the following day, no problems...

[AEthelraedUnraed]

Isn't two separate installs a bit of an overcomplicated solution to the simple problem of wanting to run with both Mods On and mods Off? The simplest solution would be to only use the Steam install from now on and just change the Mods On/Off setting in the menu. Sure, you'd have to restart IL2 each time you'd change the setting, but at least it'll save some 100GB of hard disk space, and it solves your "syncing" problem.

 

If you don't want to restart IL2 every time you change the Mods On/Off option, you could make two copies of startup.cfg, one with Mods On and one with Mods Off, and overwrite the original file with one of these before you start the game.

 

IL2 was never made to run two separate installations, so you should expect to see problems if you still try that.

[Drum]

2 minutes ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

IL2 was never made to run two separate installations, so you should expect to see problems if you still try that.

It's been confirmed already, there is no "should be a problem" when taking this approach anymore.  Also, ignorance is not blissful either; I've thoroughly tested this out, too.  ?

[AEthelraedUnraed]

1 hour ago, Drum said:

It's been confirmed already, there is no "should be a problem" when taking this approach anymore.  Also, ignorance is not blissful either; I've thoroughly tested this out, too.  ?

Perhaps I could have worded it more clearly. The emphasis should be on the word "expect". I'm not talking about whether or not there's a problem, because it's clear there is. My point is that if you run a program outside of its intended use case (e.g. by having two separate installations), it's likely you'll find problems. The easiest solution then is to simply find a solution that fits inside the intended use case (if possible, which in this case it is by simply changing the Mods On option).

[Patricks]

I appreciate the input, but the "solution" you propose was already obvious to me, and what I am doing now. My thought is it doesn't matter if I have two installs, I paid for every module, all extra planes, all terrains, and every available campaign and should be able to play them in both installs if they are on the same machine. If you buy on IL2 Store you can play everything you purchased there on BOTH the Steam and IL2 Installs. The two Steam modules I erroneously bought when I started out are not available on the IL2 Install. I tested my theory and just purchased the two modules (as gifts) from IL2 Store,  was going to uninstall and remove the Steam version, but then saw that the gift licenses can only go to a different email address than mine, registered on the site.. so I put in a Support request. Sounds like Drum's advice was spot on, but i'll wait to hear back from Support before I send them to a buddy and give up..

Edited January 7, 2022 by =LD=Icer

[Patricks]

On 1/6/2022 at 5:05 PM, Drum said:

I've been though this myself and my suggestion to you is don't frustrate yourself over this anymore because they will not change it.  If you buy directly from the IL-2 store it will show up as an Icon within these forms but not vise vera.  If you buy from the IL-2 store you can also buy same item again later from the Steam store, however that's not the case if you purchase the item first from Steam...

Also, I've tried removing items from my Steam account first purchased on Steam (permanently) thinking I could then repurchase them from the IL-2 store but that doesn't work either because the IL-2 store still tells you that you own it, thus only allows you to purchase item(s) as gifts.  Luckily, I was still able to retrieve the deleted items on Steam the following day, no problems...

 

Well, it's done! I purchased the two modules my IL-2 Store install was missing and after a few emails back and forth to Support trying to clarify they activated the "Gifts" on the account and now I have two complete installations (and the BoS and FC1 badges appear here now). The only caveat was I lost two collector planes (LA5 & FWA3) in my IL-2 store install (guess I screwed up and didn't buy Premium BoS this time) , but I never really used them anyway.. So as much as they make it difficult, it's not impossible..

[BlitzPig_EL]

But...Why?

 

I fail to see the logic in this.  Do you have one sink for hot water and another only for cold water?

[Patricks]

42 minutes ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

But...Why?

I fail to see the logic in this.  Do you have one sink for hot water and another only for cold water?

 

The great thing about my life is I don't need you to see the logic in anything I do... but thanks for the condescending input.

[BlitzPig_EL]

Just trying to understand, but I see you own a 911, so your acceptance of the overly complex is understandable.

 

Have a nice day.

[Patricks]

29 minutes ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

Just trying to understand, but I see you own a 911, so your acceptance of the overly complex is understandable.

 

Have a nice day.

 

Thanks, and I see your from Ohio so I get it now.. 

[BlitzPig_EL]

I've worked on, and driven many Porsche cars, and driven with them at several PCA track schools.  I actually like the things, though my preference is for the 356 models and the older short wheelbase 911 cars.  My best friend is a PCA and BMW club instructor. So, there is that I guess.  Anyway, enjoy your game your way.

[Drum]

"Vanity is my favourite sin" - Al Pacino.

[Patricks]

2 hours ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

I've worked on, and driven many Porsche cars, and driven with them at several PCA track schools.  I actually like the things, though my preference is for the 356 models and the older short wheelbase 911 cars.  My best friend is a PCA and BMW club instructor. So, there is that I guess.  Anyway, enjoy your game your way.

 

Thank you, that's the idea, no? Since we seem to be off the low road i'm happy to explain why I wanted two installs. Actually I have two installs whether I want them or not, as my 1st IL-2 purchase(s) were BoS and FC1 on Steam as I simply didn't know about the IL-2 Store. Once I found out the developers make more $$ if I bought direct I purchased all available content from the IL-2 store, which then linked to my Steam account so the Steam version had ALL content and the 1C install had all content except BoS and FC1. I set up the 1C install to use several mods, including a historical skin pack, use that for SP (or some MP where mods are allowed and they don't run FC1 or BoS). Used the Steam install for pretty much all MP. I liked it that way, but thought if both installs were complete it would be that much better/easier. It's as simple as that. Could I remove mods, start the game, turn off mods, then restart every time? Absolutely. The final reason is it always bothered me not to have ALL the badges here..  <JK!>. 

 

Now to Porsche. I have owned an 05 911 S (997), 09 Cayman S PDK (lot of track mods), 15 Boxster (wife), 91 911 (964), 93 911 (964), a 1998 Boxster race car (Spec Boxster in PCA Club Racing), a 78 911 SC Race car and after balling it up an 80 SC race car (my avatar). I started PCA DE in 2005 with my then new 911 S (hit the 2000 mile end of break in on the way to Watkins Glen!), and became a PCA National DE Instructor ~2008. I had the 911 race car built and started racing (PCA) in 2007, stopped when I moved to Spain in 2018. Small world that you friend is in PCA and instructing! My racing history is here, did manage a few track records along the way but all have since fallen...

Edited January 14, 2022 by =LD=Icer

[BlitzPig_EL]

Yeah, with everybody and his brother in a 500+bhp car now a days there are street cars breaking old racing lap times.  All my track experience was in light small bore cars in the late 80s/early 90s.  Still at a technical track like Mid Ohio my little lightly modified CRX SI could surprise many of the faster cars.

 

Heh.

[WillyWacker]

I tried to get the Il2 installer merged wit the steam buy and run the game as standalone and it did not work.

But when I merge all to steam it works fine now, I buy actually all on Il2 shop and merge to steam and it works fine.

Would like the installer standalone also working, but this I got not to work, but as it works this way now with all its ok for me.

[jollyjack]

On 1/6/2022 at 3:52 PM, LLv24_SukkaVR said:

Link your account to Steam in Steam version login screen. I have only BoS bought from Steam and everything else from IL-2 store and it works perfectly.

 

I had this as i bought BoS and BoM on steam accidentally first 3 years ago.

Advice then (i think from Olya and support) was that if i wanted to avoid steam, to re-buy BoS and BoM it direct, which i did.

Olya then disconnected me from the Steam coupling after that.

On 1/6/2022 at 3:40 PM, Icer said:

I usually run IL-2 through Steam but 90% of my content was purchased through the IL2 Store. Steam purchases were Bos and FC1 IIRC (you can see the missing badges here).. didn't know any better at the time. I like the ability to run Mods ON with all my JSGME add-ons and figured just set up the IL2 Store install with Mods ON and IL2 Steam with no mods for (most) MP. Issue is if I use my IL2 Store Install most of my campaigns are Locked out. Is there ANY way to get the two installs in sync so they both have the same content? I don't even care if I have to buy FC1 and BoS fron the IL2 store, but this is what I get when I try and do that, afraid it isn't going to work?

 

 You might solve your Campaign situation by copying the data/swf user stuff from the working install to the other one. Backup the old folder first !

[Strewth]

Well.
That went south quickly?
But for me personally.
When I came back from overseas and got back into flight simming again on a desktop, I found IL-2 on Steam, then discovered il2sturmovik.com

So. 

Although I had originally bought BoS through steam, I started to buy the other options through this site.
I got better performance through the direct IL-2 game, so with the help of the "help team", I purchased the outstanding steam games through il2sturmovik.com and haven't looked back.
the original steam games just help me to see when there is an update.

Cheers

 

 

[MisterSmith]

Back on track (thread, not Mid-Ohio) please.....

[Patricks]

In case it got lost along the way, I now have two completely independent IL-2 BoX installations running just fine, Steam and Direct. It isn't easy, required convincing 1C support to do some background magic and for me to re-buy (as gifts) the two "Direct" modules I had originally purchased on Steam to complete that set, but it works exactly as I had hoped at the start of all this.. I would "think" if you simply buy ALL your modules direct from 1C and then link them all to Steam you would have the same ability without messing around..

Edited March 13, 2022 by Icer