Steam download or DVD

[SpencerH]

I hoping to maintain my pledge not to buy ETW until I've seen reviews from players who'se opinions I trust, but I have to admit that I'm somewhat excited about the possibility of a new TW game.

Assuming I do buy it, what's the best way to do so.

I like the idea that if I download from Steam since I'll always have access to the patched version. OTOH, the download itself is likely to be a massive undertaking, especially on and around the release date.

I like DVD's. There is something reassuring about actually possessing the disks. OTOH, The version on the disks will not be as up to date as the version available for download.

[ByzanKing]

It is really just a matter of preference. I myself am the strange type and will always like a physical copy of the game.

[Barkhorn1x]

I thought about it a lot - and went with STEAM.

I can always print and bind the manual and the thought of pre-loading 48 hours in advance really appealed to me.

[Monk]

I was about to make a very similar thread last night but decided not to, as I needed to finish a paper.

Both options have their pros. Downloading from Steam will directly tie the game to your account. On a trip, dont have your dvd? No problem! If you've got a machine with the specs to run Empire, just plug in steam, type in your info and download it there. With steam you can be playing on day one. Hell, even hour one if you get the jump on the release day!

Buying the DvDs from a retail shop will give you something you can hold onto. There's something very reassuring about being able to hold the disc in your hands, physically put it in the drive and hear it spin up. It's very.. i dunno. Aesthetically pleasing?

It's really just a matter of preference. Do you want to download the game, or install it the old fashioned way? I will likely go with retail.

[Discoman]

I'd prefer the DVD more so if it comes with a map.

[Mailman653]

I was going to get the box but I think I'll go with Steam, it's really a matter of convience for me at least. I already have almost no room in my drawers to put another box and to get it would just add to the clutter.

What does concern me a little is patching, I know several games get patches for the retail and d/l version, the d/l version usually seeing a patch much later after retail does. I hope that kind of problem does not develop where people with the retail version get a patch and those with the d/l version have to wait weeks or months to get the same patch.

[Discoman]

What does concern me a little is patching, I know several games get patches for the retail and d/l version, the d/l version usually seeing a patch much later after retail does. I hope that kind of problem does not develop where people with the retail version get a patch and those with the d/l version have to wait weeks or months to get the same patch.

Well the way Steam works is, you can just put the serial number of your game into steam and it is downloaded and registered to your account. Which is good because you can just download it online or use the disk. Steam updates are released via Steam and everyone (regardless of downloading or buying a hardcopy) gets the same patch. One more benefit of Steam is that you don't need the disk to play (or install for that matter) No matter what why you buy it we're all playing it through Steam.

[Sir Beane]

I'm going for the Special Forces DVD option. I wants me a paper campaign map so I can pin coloured string and tacks to it and pretend that my study is a war room.

Yes, my reason is a little odd.

[Fisherking]

I ordered the SF DVD.

Silly or not I just feel better with the hard copy. I also wanted the special units and any extras they felt like adding. I guess you can have all but the map through Steam. I can’t say the price was bad buying early. I would expect to pay more getting it in a shop.

[Monk]

I'm going for the Special Forces DVD option. I wants me a paper campaign map so I can pin coloured string and tacks to it and pretend that my study is a war room.

Yes, my reason is a little odd.

Gentlemen! You can't fight here, this is the war room!

Odd or not, it's certainly a valid one. Paper maps in games such as this are always nice, they can add a little extra spice of immersion. If only ambient immersion!

[Fisherking]

Gentlemen! You can't fight here, this is the war room!

Odd or not, it's certainly a valid one. Paper maps in games such as this are always nice, they can add a little extra spice of immersion. If only ambient immersion!

Has he told you about the 1803 Admiral’s Dress uniform and his three aid decamps and the steward yet?

I think some legal questions arose over the cannon…

[Sir Beane]

Has he told you about the 1803 Admiral’s Dress uniform and his three aid decamps and the steward yet?

I think some legal questions arose over the cannon…

Oh I wish I owned a cannon. With a mighty metal artillery peice I would be the happiest man alive. (Briefly, before being arrested for flattening several houses).

If I ever do come across a replica naval uniform I shall buy it and wear it as often as possible.

[Sheogorath]

Well, here's my view:

The DVD version IS the steam version, just on DVD. Sort of like with the Orange Box.

So basically, you're paying the same price for the DVD version, and getting more stuff. The downside is that you have to go to the store to get it/wait for it to come in the mail.

Hence, you get everything the steam people get (download via steam if you lose the disc or whatever), PLUS the manual, map, and any other goodies in the collectors edition/whatever.

Overall, I think it justifies my preordering it off Amazon :P

[Mailman653]

Oh I wish I owned a cannon. With a mighty metal artillery peice I would be the happiest man alive. (Briefly, before being arrested for flattening several houses).

If I ever do come across a replica naval uniform I shall buy it and wear it as often as possible.

Like this guy?

Admiral Boom

[Ibn-Khaldun]

I am also one of those guys who like DVD's. That way I really have the feeling that I actually own that game!

[scipiosgoblin]

My son, Ian, owns two cannons ... and a pirate ship.

He's 4 months old. Possibly mom and dad went a little overboard. NAAAAHHHHHHH.



It's taller than he is at the moment. Maybe I'll let him play with it when he's 4 "years" old.



SG

[Sir Beane]

My son, Ian, owns two cannons ... and a pirate ship.

He's 4 months old. Possibly mom and dad went a little overboard. NAAAAHHHHHHH.



It's taller than he is at the moment. Maybe I'll let him play with it when he's 4 "years" old.



SG

You sir, are the best parent ever. That's a fantastic looking ship.

[peacemaker]

i prefer the DVD copy of the game. First, you still download steam and with steam you still get the installs even if you started out with a CD. Second, I have fairly slow internet and it would be faster to get it off a CD then download it from the internet. Third, I like having the boxes....I don't know why

[Marten]

You sir, are the best parent ever. That's a fantastic looking ship.

I second that.

On Topic: I prefer the DVD thing, because i like to install my games on a extra "game" drive i created. Steam won't let me do this - you can only install software in the steam folder - that really annoys me. Amazon will hopefully send my copy on the 5th - at least that's what they promised me. Perhaps of my advanced age i too prefer a copy in my hands, a nice and proper carton with something to bypass the installation time. But i'm also used to download games, especially older ones (legal sort!) - my last one was "Civil War General 2".

[Colovion]

I'll probably get the DVD. I love Steam for how handy it is; when HL2 came out it was so slick and simple I was astounded. It'll depend on a couple of things. I do have quite a few game packages/manuals/maps sitting around cluttering up my closet but even though it is clutter, I enjoy having mementos.

[Polemists]

For me it comes down to download speed, the amount of time it'd take me download it will be longer then the amount of time it will take to ship it. Purely because the file will be around 15 gigabytes.

If you've got a fast connection great, if not you'll be waiting a week or two while it downloads.

[Monk]

For me it comes down to download speed, the amount of time it'd take me download it will be longer then the amount of time it will take to ship it. Purely because the file will be around 15 gigabytes.

If you've got a fast connection great, if not you'll be waiting a week or two while it downloads.

Oh crap.

I'd forgotten about the sheer size of this monster. Yeah, DvD for sure for me. It will take ages to download 10-15g, even if I'm rocking at 800kb/s!

[scipiosgoblin]

(To actually post on topic this time) I'm definitely buying the DVD. I like the map and unit/tech/building layout that comes with it. Plus, the DVD's that came with MTW2 were pretty cool, so maybe there will be something similar in the SF edition.

(Off topic) I decorated his whole room with nautical signal flags, pirate ships and eventually I plan to paint a compass rose on the ceiling. He'll probably hate the ocean by the time he grows up, but for now it's fun.

SG

[Husar]

I'm going to buy the DVD, just to get the USS Constitution from Play.com.
Well, it doesn't cost anything extra.
Since the game is fully tied into Steam, it's possible that you can just enter the CD code from the box and download it anyway if you want, so it'll most likely be tied to your account anyway, there are already a few games where something like that seems to be possible, it should certainly work with Valve games you buy in a box.
Buying it from Play.com just gives me a lot of exclusive units for the same price the Steam download without any exclusive units would cost, easy choice I say.

[gollum]

Originally posted by SpencerH
I hoping to maintain my pledge not to buy ETW until I've seen reviews from players who'se opinions I trust, but I have to admit that I'm somewhat excited about the possibility of a new TW game.

Already tipped over eh?


!it burnsus!

[CountArach]

If I actually get the game (It would need at least a half-decent AI as reported by gamers) it would be DVD. I love having a physical copy.

[Fisherking]

Sorry I forgot!....

As Husar pointed out, it is less expensive for us to order from Play or Amazon than it is to go to a shop and pick it up.

It is less expensive to buy the Special Forces Edition from them than to buy the Regular Edition from Steam.

That makes the SF in a physical copy a better value, map, special units, and all than purchasing it as a download. Also, when I ordered M2TW on line I received it on release day and had it up and running before 10 AM.

I hope that helps in the decision making process.

[Sir Beane]

Fisherking is right. From Play.com a pre-ordered edition of Special Forces goes for £35. That is the price that most games are released at over here in the UK, meaning the Special Forces edition is excellent value for money. Since it is so cheap it honestly eems worth it, even if you don't want to use the Special units.

[Vuk]

DVD, without a doubt. I have never and never will buy a game on Steam. I like to have a disc that I can install on other computers, take with me, etc. I like a book that I can read and a sexy box that I can put in my collection. :P That way I will have something to show company.

[imperialus]

I've recently started downloading everything, though I use Direct2Drive rather than Steam

Couple reasons for this.

1) Electronic Boutique, Future Shop, and Best Buy have all seen their space dedicated to PC games shrink astronomically in the past couple years. Hell the EB nearest my house now has maybe 20 or so titles in stock right now. They've been completely taken over by console games that I simply couldn't care less about. If they aren't going to support my games, I won't support them and I'll give my money to a retailer who does.

2) I am notorious for loosing manuals, jewel cases, and other little bits of paper that have useful things like activation codes on them. It's a pain in the butt to re-install games when you loose those.

3) I recently went purged my collection of old games and realized that I have 4 or 5 large boxes full of games that will probably never get played again. That's a huge amount of stuff to end up in a landfill. Switching to digital copies might not make a huge difference, but it does make a difference.