What's the difference - Direct vs. Steam

eMLBCommish · 03-09-2020, 09:47 AM

Hey guys,

Maybe a stupid question, but what's the real difference between buying OOTP 21 directly here or via Steam? Is there an advantage doing it one way versus another?

Also, if you buy direct, do you still get to put it on 2 PCs? I want to be able to have it on my Laptop at my office during quiet periods!

Thanks,

LB

jimmysthebestcop · 03-09-2020, 11:08 AM

I believe direct has 2 PC limit installed. While steam unlimited.

Steam automatic updates. And if you switch PC's or reinstall OS you just log in steam and install all your games. Direct gotta go find the installer. Plus steam achievements.

I might get 20-30 games a year. So steam is way easier for me to manage. And I might upgrade my gaming rig at least a couple times a year. And I'm usually playing 5 different games.

Déjà Bru · 03-09-2020, 11:40 AM

I'm not anti-Steam; I own dozens of games on Steam now. Well, rent them, really. And that leads to my attempt to present a balanced viewpoint.

People say you never actually own software; you're just renting it because of the effects of obsolescence and ephemeral software companies. But with Steam, that feeling of "renting it" is more pronounced. They own the files; you are just downloading a copy of it that sits on your hard drive at their behest, subject to change or removal if Steam deems it must be.

Steam itself is continually being updated; it seems every other time I open up the Steam program, it needs to download an update before I can play my game.

The advantage of automatic game updates can be a double-edged sword in that sometimes you don't want an update or you wish to roll one back after it has been installed. To my knowledge, Steam does not allow you to prevent game updates or roll them back.

Steam does provide the capability of playing games offline in case you lose your internet but that provision doesn't seem to be ironclad. The very first sentence in an article on this subject from a web site that I trust: "Steam’s offline mode is notoriously problematic."

If you are looking for that public beta discount and early access to the new version, you are not going to get it from Steam.

Lastly, even though it's not so much of a concern anymore, given their recent growth and success, OOTPD has a higher gross margin on games sold through their website and third party handler because Steam apparently takes a bigger cut of the proceeds.

Again, I happen to like Steam. I had to overcome these concerns over time in order to do so. Even so, if you present me with a choice between Steam and direct download, I am going to choose the latter.

Pendragon · 03-09-2020, 02:56 PM

One point of clarification: If you buy from Steam, you will not get early access beta, but you will get the 10% discount if you buy within the first week of 21 going live.

glenmere14 · 03-09-2020, 03:24 PM

Some years I have bought both versions (Direct and Steam) precisely for he reasons Bru noted above.

jimmysthebestcop · 03-09-2020, 06:36 PM

Developers in steam can make older versions use the development track. So if you select that then you can skip the most recent update of a game.

But it's up to each game dev not valve/steam. Some devs use it and some don't.

03-09-2020, 09:47 AM	#1
eMLBCommish All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 678	What's the difference - Direct vs. Steam Hey guys, Maybe a stupid question, but what's the real difference between buying OOTP 21 directly here or via Steam? Is there an advantage doing it one way versus another? Also, if you buy direct, do you still get to put it on 2 PCs? I want to be able to have it on my Laptop at my office during quiet periods! Thanks, LB __________________ The Fluffy Kitty Ninjas Show - Home of the eMLB Universe! www.twitch.tv/FKNCommishLB The Man Behind eMLB - https://atl-02.statsplus.net/emlb/re..._150_home.html Proud OOTP Affiliate Streamer Proud Twitch Partner (Partnered 3/15/22)

03-09-2020, 11:40 AM	#3
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,741	I'm not anti-Steam; I own dozens of games on Steam now. Well, rent them, really. And that leads to my attempt to present a balanced viewpoint. People say you never actually own software; you're just renting it because of the effects of obsolescence and ephemeral software companies. But with Steam, that feeling of "renting it" is more pronounced. They own the files; you are just downloading a copy of it that sits on your hard drive at their behest, subject to change or removal if Steam deems it must be. Steam itself is continually being updated; it seems every other time I open up the Steam program, it needs to download an update before I can play my game. The advantage of automatic game updates can be a double-edged sword in that sometimes you don't want an update or you wish to roll one back after it has been installed. To my knowledge, Steam does not allow you to prevent game updates or roll them back. Steam does provide the capability of playing games offline in case you lose your internet but that provision doesn't seem to be ironclad. The very first sentence in an article on this subject from a web site that I trust: "Steam’s offline mode is notoriously problematic." If you are looking for that public beta discount and early access to the new version, you are not going to get it from Steam. Lastly, even though it's not so much of a concern anymore, given their recent growth and success, OOTPD has a higher gross margin on games sold through their website and third party handler because Steam apparently takes a bigger cut of the proceeds. Again, I happen to like Steam. I had to overcome these concerns over time in order to do so. Even so, if you present me with a choice between Steam and direct download, I am going to choose the latter. __________________ - Bru

03-09-2020, 11:08 AM	#2
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	I believe direct has 2 PC limit installed. While steam unlimited. Steam automatic updates. And if you switch PC's or reinstall OS you just log in steam and install all your games. Direct gotta go find the installer. Plus steam achievements. I might get 20-30 games a year. So steam is way easier for me to manage. And I might upgrade my gaming rig at least a couple times a year. And I'm usually playing 5 different games.

03-09-2020, 02:56 PM	#4
Pendragon Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 170	One point of clarification: If you buy from Steam, you will not get early access beta, but you will get the 10% discount if you buy within the first week of 21 going live.

03-09-2020, 03:24 PM	#5
glenmere14 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 259	Some years I have bought both versions (Direct and Steam) precisely for he reasons Bru noted above.

03-09-2020, 06:36 PM	#6
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	Developers in steam can make older versions use the development track. So if you select that then you can skip the most recent update of a game. But it's up to each game dev not valve/steam. Some devs use it and some don't.