Two versions of DCS World compared: Steam version hosted by Valve and Standalone version directly from Eagle Dynamics. Which is right for you? I analyze the pros and cons.
Important to note for the free Trial, You can Trial multiple things at once Example you can trial the supercarrier and the hornet together. Also the trial restarts every 6 months, So if you trialed say the A-10C II, six months later you can trial it again
@@Off_The_Rail yeah well, I still do contribute via buying their modules sometimes, but I'm not gonna be pressured into paying 60-odd dollars for a DLC, especially as someone who doesn't just have all of that money laying around
hi! the biggest advantage Steam has for me is that it lets me pay using my own currency, standalone only accepts payments in Dollars and with that comes a 65% mark up in taxes (in my country obviously), it's too much, it's not even worth considering it. I enjoyed the video, it was well explained. see you.
One frequently missed reason, which is key for me, is if you steam family share - my family play some of my steam library at teams. They can't play from my steam library if I'm playing one of the steam games myself....keeping it standalone stops the missus and the kids nagging at me!
For VR Users with standalone, you can run OpenXR instead of SteamVR which removes the steam overhead and allows a much better VR experience with upscaling and FOV rendering.
I've actually been pleasantly surprised with the miles. I definitely remember buying the Tomcat, super carrier, Nevada, combat arms F-86, F-5. I think I had enough miles to get the Mirage 2000, WW2 assets plus something else I can't remember, it may have been something like the miles paying off half of either the F-86 or F-5.
Thank you very much for this comparison. As you pointed out no one made some kind of comparison like you did. Now I can see why people are favouring the Standalone version more. Especially the free trials and discounts are really good!
Just wanted to note that many of the pros you mentioned for Steam including content management and similar can easily be fixed by getting a different launcher (Skatezilla being a notable example). This allows you to manage content really well, jump between builds, set different software to autostart with DCS and can help you manage some settings including VR help tools. Simple Exe aswell so there isnt another complicated install. Also i noticed you didn't really mention Open Beta wich is how many if not most players play DCS (especially the multiplayer community). Hope this helps!
I have DCS on steam and standalone, I started with the steam version but when investigating buying mods I quickly switched to standalone. So purely money reasons make me prefer the standalone. + Miles!
Some people already said, but in the standalone you can get free trials. Also you get DCS miles which will grant you extra discount when you have already purchased an aircraft so that you can buy another item with those ED miles.
Steam version can switch between Stable and Open Beta with a click (and ~10min to swap necessary files). This is important to me, as I fly WWII Multiplayer on beta and have a Discord group I fly frequently with on Stable.
Had Steam and stand alone installed at one time but I switched to stand alone only TO GIVE THE DEVS MORE $$ TO DEV MORE PLANES AND HELO's. Steam takes 30% and I'd rather give that $$ to ED/DCS, they do excellent work and deserve every penny they can get IMO.
The more money ED makes, the longer they survive as a company and the better they can make their product. Assuming the price is the same for you on both platforms, buying it on Steam means you will get less for your money in the long run, because ED will have less income to make your module and the DCS platform better.
Really, asking 80 bucks for a single airplane is normal? Buying everything seperatly like maps and campaigns is normal? Man, thinking really is rare in the world nowadays. People really love getting ripped off these days.
@@wouterhobers4496 considering i spend more time trying to start the damn plane than i spend in most other games, id say its worth it. But not every module though. i dont mind planes but maps are a point of friction for me as well.
@@wmouse you are exactly the type of person who makes the game incredibly expensive for no reason. There is no counterpart, so who exactly are they suposed to loose money too. The company is not doing as bad as people think. They make a shitload of money, make half assed products that are released and literaly need years and years to be complete, who remain in bèta versions for all those years and fanboys like yourself are making this problem more and more a thing by enabling ED to screw people over. Stop pretending like ED gives a shit about it's consumer on it's monopoly of flight/ study simming. They are notorious for not giving a shit about it's consumer and this company is not going anywhere.
If you would rather have the best of both worlds I actually have a guide on Steam on how to combine the two versions and play from a single install. It's a little finnicky, especially in regards to updates, but my guide has been rated pretty highly by people so I assume it's welcomed by the community. If you want you can check it out, it should be on the front page of the guides last I checked, but I'm sure searching the word "combine" will find it too.
One key thing for oculus users is steam has to have oculus app running, then steam vr running and the game. Definitely would recommend oculus users use standalone.
1. I download at both pretty fast with about 115 mb/s but steam just takes some bytes more and is more stable about it. 2. DCS standalone launcher has an auto update function as well as a Manuel exe just for updating
Very good info. I just installed the standalone. Was wondering if I should go to Steam. All my other stuff is there. So you good thought to think about.
There is a piece of software for DCS Stand Alone that can manage doing updates without running the game as well so not a notable difference really. It doesn't require using command lines to run it just runs as any other GUI.
Hello, i found this on suggested videos. Its quite a good video, some things you could improve like make a script for yourself and some "acting or editing tools" so the video seems to get fast for the viewers. The information content its very usefull , thanks. I will check out this channel
One MAJOR consideration is VR. Some headsets work better with Steam, some better with stand-alone. Either way, using OpenXR is a must, especially if you’re using Steam.
I would do almost anything to go back and get the steam version. Haven't been able to play for months because of launcher and updating problems. The only game launcher I have to give me that issue sadly.
Stand-alone servers aren’t an issue for me when updating or downloading from it. Usually the cap for me happens on steam my Wifi speed runs at 400mb/s on both upload and download.
Nice work, good video in general! I startet with DCS in Steam because I have almost all my pc-games on this platform. My first purchase then was the FC3 and then I made some inquiries and decided immediately to convert to the standalone version of the game. First of all I wantet to support ED the most and as good as possible because they did and still do an awesome job with this game! Second I'm not a patient person at all so I like to get discounts as fast as possible ;) word of advice, be patient and buy only on one of the regularly sales! you'll save a lot of monney this way :-o and last but not least, I like the 14 days free trial! So if somebody asks me if he should go with the steam version or the standalone I will always recommend the standalone for this reasons but mainly for the reason number one! btw, I can't see why it would be an advantege to update in steam? I've to start steam, go to DCS (I'm playing other games too) and then hit the button for the update. Speed isn't an issue for me because with my internet access I never download more than 10' at all. With the standalone I've to hit one button to start the game and the update starts immediately, why should I bother that the game is starting? I can close the game with one click after the patch is installed. So I don't get this advantage in your video. but as mentioned above, great video dude! this is a question that many if not every new user comes across right at the beginning of their DCS career ;)
For me a big advantage for the Steam Version is the ability to throttle download speeds. I have an extremely slow internet connection so one module takes days to download and update. If I would hog the entire connection bandwidth all that time I'd get kicked out by the other people using it. One minor other pro for the Steam Version: It's easier to get it working on the Steam Deck and play DCS on the go. It's also possible to add Standalone manually but that requires quite a bit of tinkering.
The Steam version has some issues running on Proton, but with standalone everything works flawlessly, and I have way more control over things using Lutris.
Really good video for a noob like me. It sounds like the benefits of the standalone version will offset the benefits of the Steam version for me. Thanks!
I'd like to install DCS (specifically 2.7.11 or above, for the AH-64D Apache Module Early Access).. and have never installed Steam or DCS. I understand the the official DCS requirements are 2.8Ghz i3.. however, my laptop is a 2.5Ghz i5 with 8G RAM. I'm mostly interested in tinkering in the cockpit, firing missiles, not so much missions or combat. Sounds like standalone might be better in my case (since Steam consumes it's own resources), the 2-Week Trials for the Apache Module, Plus the 50 percent discount on the module itself! Do you play using only the keyboard, or would you recommend a joystick for my case?
I'm not qualified to comment on the AH-64D as I don't fly helicopters at this time. Regarding your computer specs, my advice is to just download the basic game since it's free and try to run it. See what happens. It costs you nothing except a few minutes of your time to see if it will even run at all. I do use a joystick when I fly, although it's not technically necessary. DCS will let you fly without one, it's just a lot harder, IMO.
I dont think you would have much fun with apache with keyboard and mouse tbh. Also apache is hungry for resources because its new and not optimised yet.. Definitely try before by. Thats my 2 cents ;)
If your system doesn't look like this czcams.com/video/7_goqBNcTrE/video.html then forget it. :) lol Ok maybe its not that bad but as you can see it's a serious serious flight sim. With that said you can try it all for free yourself, DCS is free and gives you two complete planes and then you can also get "trails" of almost every module they have, although at this time the AH-64 isn't one of them but should be soon. So try it out it's FREE
I had started with Steam then went to Standalone I had paid for 2 DLC aircraft at that time. The UH-1 Huey and the P-51D Mustang. I did trans the Product Keys to standalone. This is the strange part for me and I will only say this about it. I can not Prove what I will say other then My problem went away after I bought a new version from the standalone version to replace my ported over version from steam. All my issues were with the P-51 Mustang Only. over the years I installed uninstalled DCS the issue never left. The plane would wing over and fall to the ground so easy with system failures and no turns or climbs over 2 g's could be made without wing overs TILL I paid for a new model through the Standalone version. The plane flies Night and Day Differance. DCS said they can not reproduce the issues I had after sending in all the required files to show what was going on. Any way my issue is gone now. I got it replaced when it was on sale for only $19.99 so I can fly it now.
FInally, someone who can clearly point out the pros and cons...just out of curiosity... isn't there modded aircraft that we can fly for free? if so, any idea if it's better on standalone or steam? i have both, no modules purchased..yet...but yeah, downloading the main game (stadalone) now.
If you link your Steam account to your Eagle Dynamics account, then there is a process by which you can fly planes purchased on Steam with either version of DCS. However, the reverse is not true. Modules purchased for the stand-alone version of DCS will only work with the stand-alone version; you can't play those on Steam.
I had the steam version and I switched to standalone so more of my purchase money would go to the developers of new modules but... I wish I didn't make the switch. The ED downloader is such a pain compared to steam. I have spotty internet where I am, and if that downloader loses connection for even a brief time you have to manually start the update again. It picks up where it left off, but it makes it difficult to just leave a 100GB patch to download while you're at work.
As I said at 1:06, there is literally no difference. They look and play exactly the same. The only advantage performance-wise of standalone would be that you don't have to have Steam running in the background. If your PC is on the low-end then you *might* notice this, but if you've got enough RAM you're not likely to.
If you spend $10, you will receive 1000 miles (1 mile per cent) If you buy a module worth $10, you could use 10,000 miles to buy it (10 miles per cent) Hope this helps.
I'm thinking about purchasing some dlcs, have never bought any but have steam DCS account. Downloaded DCS from eagle and tried to purchase some dlc but no 50% off. Haven't bought any in either so what am I doing wrong?. Cheers
Unfortunately you just missed out on the deal. Eagle Dynamics discontinued the new player program last week. However, they still have sales all the time.
I use Steam, Rise of Flight, Il-2 Great Battles, Cliffs of Dover, I've always been interested in DCS and now I'm getting closer to the plunge. I'm not a serious gamer so the Steam platform is convenient, with the gift cards. You mentioned that it is RAM heavy, will 16 Gs be adequate? A great presentation, BTW.
i said screw it and downloaded both- i use steam for actually playing because i like the hour counter and simple management of modules. however i use standalone for trials :) 200gbs worth of storage just to both play and trial but if you got the storage i recommend testing it
Well you did not mention the Open Beta thing. Apparently everything gets released first into Open Beta, which is so stable enough that many of the popular servers are actually running only on the version of open beta. So running standalone open beta only gives you all the benefits to all you mentioned above + early access to new stuff + more online servers.
DCS Steam Edition also supports Open Beta, but Steam will install the "stable" version by default. After install, you have to opt into open beta in the game settings through the Steam interface. Once you do that, Steam will patch your DCS to the OB version you'll have access to all the same servers as Standalone Open Beta.
@@takeoffwithjakesoft Thanks. didn't actually know that. But if you mean to extend the information in your video by any means you can maybe slip in the info about the open beta thing. thanks and cheers.
I would have prefered to be able to run it on Steam for ease of use but for some unknown reasons, I can't run it from Steam. I tried re-installing it a few times but it never worked. Once I went stand alone, it ran perfectly. I have enough RAM and so on to run this game... but seems to be an issue with Steam. Thanks for the viedo!!
The "Steam Incompatible" disclaimer on the DCS website means that if you buy the module through Eagle Dynamics, the license is not valid for DCS Steam Edition. In reality, it's the same exact module as you'd find in the Steam store but with different DRM. The same modules are available for purchase through both Steam and directly from Eagle Dynamics.
So best to download them both my pc can handle steam running as well but I’d like to benefit from the mile points and big discounts but Imma get them both
I muddled that part. I should have said "passive updates" or something like that. If you start Steam as part of Windows startup or open Steam to play another game, then Steam looks for DCS updates. Steam will look for DCS updates as a side effect of other actions.
As an owner of both versions I urge caution with the Steam version, I got robbed when several mods simply would not run on my system and I was refused a refund because Steam only offers refunds on games with less than 2 hours playing time logged, and yes that is a compound number, that includes any new DLC that does not work! Many mods are broken on Steam and they work fine in standalone, you can get 2 week free trials to test the content as some mods barely run or not at all for me in potato mode even though I have some mods running almost maxed out, this game sucks up resources. I transferred all my licenses to the standalone after an awful experience with Steam support, they'll never receive another penny from me for DCS or any other game I decide to buy going forward.
I'm not sure about what's going on with the SA installer for you, but you can definitely bring your modules with you from Steam to SA. I covered that in the video and have done so myself.
One very impotant point to mention. The 50% discount for new users is for accounts with NO MODULES bound to them. So, if like me, you are switching from Steam to Standalone - do not bind your Steam purchases until after you have made your 50% discount deal purchases. Modules transferred from Steam count as purchases and mean you cannot get the new customer discount one bound.
I still don't want DCS yet cause not only is my internet download speed slow (averaging about 1 megabytes per second) and my current devices have bad storage space and specs (PC has intel i5 i believe and 3.8gb RAM with 112gb C: storage and my laptop has intel i3 with 4gb RAM and 224gb C: storage) but also I don't have any external gear like throttle, joystick all of the good stuff and use keyboard and mouse in piloting.
Started with steam, switched to stanalone and have never looked back. I almost exclusively fly online pvp though. I have never regretted any money i spent on this, i have found it worth it every time. For every module, the level of detail and ammount of work it takes to make one of these. Even at full price they are a bargain. I dont understand people who can afford a pc that can run this, and all the flight controls, then worry about the price of the aircraft? Its the cheapest part of the whole thing. You are a lunatic.
Just war thunder plebs salty theu cant afford a mid lvl pc to play DCS, and when they can, they just get recket even by AI lol 😆 😂, let them cry in their 60 to 600 bucks premium vehicles in war thunder
If ED ever abandon DCS or went bankrupt, u where not be able to activate ur modules anymore in Standalone. Steam is the safer bet. U will be able to play the game, even if ED gets belly up.
4 or 6 50% sales events a year is a big plus for SA over steam, i got mu supercarrier + hornet for 20 bucks lol, same for my Apache Also i heard that you cant play in some elite hardcore multiplayer servers because of the scripts, but im not sure about that 🤷🏻♂️
So, this is what I do. On everyday gameplay, I use DCS standalone. I can get easy free trials, and as someone who isn't the most financially capable to buy 60 dollar modules, this is my main way of flight. If however I do buy a module, I always do so through steam, because cheaper.
Most of the servers run open beta. Steam defaults to install "stable". If you opt in to open beta through the game options in Steam then you'll see all the same servers as the standalone open beta version would.
I switched to standalone specifically because the cut that steam takes from the developers, They don't add anything besides the file hosting. I wanted more money to be sent to the devs pockets.
No, that's something different. Both Steam and Standalone have "open beta" and "release" flavors. Steam "open beta" players can play with Stand Alone "open beta" players. Open beta just gets updates sooner and more often than the "release" version of the game.
@@takeoffwithjakesoft so If i Play the standalone Open Beta (The Version fron the Homepage of ED) ,so i cant Play with some dudes of the Steam stable edition, true ?
@@conon251 Not quite. There are 4 versions. 1. SA Stable 2. SA Open Beta 3. Steam Stable 4. Steam Open Beta Any "Stable" can play with "stable" (Options 1 and 3). Any open beta can play with open beta (Options 2 and 4).
Steam servers being word class? I have a gigabit fiber, the standalone downloader uses all of my gigabit connection, 940mbs to be exact, which is the real limit. Steam on the other hand, never goes higher than 600mbs and after like a minute drops to 300mbs and stays there. I’ve tried multiple download servers, steam is just worse.
There is no question that local network conditions as well as restrictions placed by your ISP can influence actual speeds. The numbers you posted are both likely to be well above the bandwidth cap of a typical user in many markets. For example: There is no practical difference between 300mbs and 940mbs for a user who's bw caps at 100mbs; they'll just see 100mbs for both Steam and SA. That's what I was trying say at 3:36. Anecdotally, after about a year of having both installed and doing the same updates at the same time of day on the same computer the DL speeds were very close most of the time. It's just that when one was noticeably faster, it was always Steam for me. I thought it worth sharing my observations to reflect what a user might expect. With that said, I can easily believe that my results are not universal and that the reverse might be true for you and others. Thanks for sharing your experience!
In short, stand alone has no significant advantages. A little more often discounts that eventualy come to steam as well. Not even mentionable in my opinion. "Developers get more money outside of steam!" yeah I really don't give a shit, since they overprice modules heavily anyway. Selling everything seperate for hefty prizes. I have no sympathy for them loosing a little money for modules that are missing content like for example campaigns you have to buy seperatly. Who cares. Steam works fine, it has discounts as wel and the modules release at the same time. Love the game, don't give a shit about ED.
@@StoneCoolds You know, I was going to buy DCS world because I wanted a realistic combat flight sim, but seeing how toxic this community is towards new players has turned me off of the game. I guess I'll just go fuck off because you guys treat anyone who doesn't instantly understand extremely complex control schemes the second they pick up the game as well as a 20-year Air Force vet like the lowest scum this world has to offer.
Steam is an unnecessary hassle and an unnecessary go between the can ban you from accessing the files independently of eagle Dynamics. There is little to no point in volving a third party.
nothing of value will be lost if i play the steam version...great....not only there aint no paypal in my country, i havent had the time to make a passport for the card...since i m only getting the tomcat, the carrier and persia, syria, nevada i also dont need to spend thousands
Buying on standalone and obtaining the 50% discount and transferring already existing licenses later from steam is against the EULA. The 50% discount is only for new players. If that works atm, it's not guaranteed that it won't work anymore tomorrow and that people get issues that took this "advantage". That said, I would not recommend telling people to do so as you actively ask people to break the EULA.
I certainly don't want to get anyone in trouble. Where does it say that you can't do that in the EULA? "Each user that has no licenses and serial numbers even deactivated, orders, gifts or transferred from Steam licenses receives a promo offer in a popup window inside DCS World." I interpret this to mean as long as you have not transferred any licenses, you're good. Put another way, if ED makes the offer via the in-game menu, then you are free to use it. Subjectively, I doubt ED would have a problem with getting people to convert from Steam to Standalone as it's a better business case for ED. Sources: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/license/ www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/Discount/
Euh ... the dev advice you to do exactly that before transferring your steam license to the standalone. To be able to enjoy the 50% sale for a new created account. So ... if the dev told you than you can, that mean than you can.
I think the word 'transfer' is the confusing part, ED have a section on their website that links to Steam, and if you have a module on Steam, ED give you the license stand alone too.
Important to note for the free Trial, You can Trial multiple things at once Example you can trial the supercarrier and the hornet together. Also the trial restarts every 6 months, So if you trialed say the A-10C II, six months later you can trial it again
Yes, that's true!
Even more important thing about that is that each module trial counts separately.
And EVEN EVEN MORE important, you can use different accounts on the same computer, and have more free trials!
@@wilbofreeshan6340 that’s cool bro but kind of shitty. If you actually like DCS and want to support the Devs don’t do this.
@@Off_The_Rail yeah well, I still do contribute via buying their modules sometimes, but I'm not gonna be pressured into paying 60-odd dollars for a DLC, especially as someone who doesn't just have all of that money laying around
hi! the biggest advantage Steam has for me is that it lets me pay using my own currency, standalone only accepts payments in Dollars and with that comes a 65% mark up in taxes (in my country obviously), it's too much, it's not even worth considering it. I enjoyed the video, it was well explained. see you.
If you link your steam account with your ED account you should be able to transfer your licenses bought on steam to standalone
@@tecyhead how
I use stand-alone and it lets me use £, you don’t need to use dollars.
@@filipcentkowski9634 there's more currencies than just dollars and pounds
@@ravi4140 the comment said only accepts Dollars
One frequently missed reason, which is key for me, is if you steam family share - my family play some of my steam library at teams. They can't play from my steam library if I'm playing one of the steam games myself....keeping it standalone stops the missus and the kids nagging at me!
Heh. Never thought of that one!
Very comprehensive and thorough comparison of the pros and cons of Valve vs standalone for DCS.Thanks
For VR Users with standalone, you can run OpenXR instead of SteamVR which removes the steam overhead and allows a much better VR experience with upscaling and FOV rendering.
Thanks for the comparison. Helped me make the decision to move from the Steam version to the stand-alone. Really appreciate it!
The free trials are a massive bonus for sure. Insanely generous offer from ED, I appreciate the vid
Thanks for putting this video out, I actually had this question a few days ago.
I've actually been pleasantly surprised with the miles. I definitely remember buying the Tomcat, super carrier, Nevada, combat arms F-86, F-5. I think I had enough miles to get the Mirage 2000, WW2 assets plus something else I can't remember, it may have been something like the miles paying off half of either the F-86 or F-5.
Thank you very much for this comparison. As you pointed out no one made some kind of comparison like you did.
Now I can see why people are favouring the Standalone version more. Especially the free trials and discounts are really good!
Just wanted to note that many of the pros you mentioned for Steam including content management and similar can easily be fixed by getting a different launcher (Skatezilla being a notable example). This allows you to manage content really well, jump between builds, set different software to autostart with DCS and can help you manage some settings including VR help tools. Simple Exe aswell so there isnt another complicated install. Also i noticed you didn't really mention Open Beta wich is how many if not most players play DCS (especially the multiplayer community). Hope this helps!
I'll have to look into Skatezilla. It sounds like a useful tool. Thanks for sharing this!
I have DCS on steam and standalone, I started with the steam version but when investigating buying mods I quickly switched to standalone. So purely money reasons make me prefer the standalone. + Miles!
Some people already said, but in the standalone you can get free trials. Also you get DCS miles which will grant you extra discount when you have already purchased an aircraft so that you can buy another item with those ED miles.
Awesome explanation! Helped a lot!
Started on Steam. Purchased FC3 yesterday during steam sale. I was wondering about the difference. This video helps a lot!!! Thanks a lot !!!
Glad it helped. Enjoy those new aircraft!
@@takeoffwithjakesoft You are so right. Download from DCS directly is pain. So much faster from steam 😅
Steam version can switch between Stable and Open Beta with a click (and ~10min to swap necessary files). This is important to me, as I fly WWII Multiplayer on beta and have a Discord group I fly frequently with on Stable.
Yo TwJS, Thanks for doing this comparison. Your right have not seen any other channel do a video like this. Have a pleasant day.
Thanks for watching!
Had Steam and stand alone installed at one time but I switched to stand alone only TO GIVE THE DEVS MORE $$ TO DEV MORE PLANES AND HELO's. Steam takes 30% and I'd rather give that $$ to ED/DCS, they do excellent work and deserve every penny they can get IMO.
The more money ED makes, the longer they survive as a company and the better they can make their product. Assuming the price is the same for you on both platforms, buying it on Steam means you will get less for your money in the long run, because ED will have less income to make your module and the DCS platform better.
Really, asking 80 bucks for a single airplane is normal? Buying everything seperatly like maps and campaigns is normal? Man, thinking really is rare in the world nowadays. People really love getting ripped off these days.
@@wouterhobers4496 considering i spend more time trying to start the damn plane than i spend in most other games, id say its worth it. But not every module though. i dont mind planes but maps are a point of friction for me as well.
@@wmouse you are exactly the type of person who makes the game incredibly expensive for no reason. There is no counterpart, so who exactly are they suposed to loose money too. The company is not doing as bad as people think. They make a shitload of money, make half assed products that are released and literaly need years and years to be complete, who remain in bèta versions for all those years and fanboys like yourself are making this problem more and more a thing by enabling ED to screw people over. Stop pretending like ED gives a shit about it's consumer on it's monopoly of flight/ study simming. They are notorious for not giving a shit about it's consumer and this company is not going anywhere.
@@wouterhobers4496 You should just work harder for things you actually enjoy, then you would understand
Great video, I learned a lot. THANK YOU!
If you would rather have the best of both worlds I actually have a guide on Steam on how to combine the two versions and play from a single install. It's a little finnicky, especially in regards to updates, but my guide has been rated pretty highly by people so I assume it's welcomed by the community. If you want you can check it out, it should be on the front page of the guides last I checked, but I'm sure searching the word "combine" will find it too.
very well explained, thank you very much 🤗🤗
I'm glad you found it informative. Thanks for watching!
One key thing for oculus users is steam has to have oculus app running, then steam vr running and the game. Definitely would recommend oculus users use standalone.
Everything I needed to know. Thank you
1. I download at both pretty fast with about 115 mb/s but steam just takes some bytes more and is more stable about it.
2. DCS standalone launcher has an auto update function as well as a Manuel exe just for updating
Very good info. I just installed the standalone. Was wondering if I should go to Steam. All my other stuff is there. So you good thought to think about.
I appreciate this video immensely.
I'm so glad to hear that. Thanks for watching!
Hi - thanks for the vid - answered some things I had wondered about, Cheers
There is a piece of software for DCS Stand Alone that can manage doing updates without running the game as well so not a notable difference really. It doesn't require using command lines to run it just runs as any other GUI.
This was so helpful. Thank
I'm so happy to hear that. It's the only reason I made it. :)
Hello, i found this on suggested videos. Its quite a good video, some things you could improve like make a script for yourself and some "acting or editing tools" so the video seems to get fast for the viewers. The information content its very usefull , thanks. I will check out this channel
hello
may u help me on how to transfer modules from steam to standalone ?
One MAJOR consideration is VR. Some headsets work better with Steam, some better with stand-alone. Either way, using OpenXR is a must, especially if you’re using Steam.
Thanks for sharing that. I use head tracking only so I'm oblivious to anything VR-specific.
Open Composite is better, as it bypasses Steam VR for Elite Dangerous, DCS, IL-2, and several other major Sim Titles.
I would do almost anything to go back and get the steam version. Haven't been able to play for months because of launcher and updating problems. The only game launcher I have to give me that issue sadly.
Stand-alone servers aren’t an issue for me when updating or downloading from it. Usually the cap for me happens on steam my Wifi speed runs at 400mb/s on both upload and download.
It used to be a massive difference, it's not like that now.
Thank you for this!
Nice work, good video in general!
I startet with DCS in Steam because I have almost all my pc-games on this platform. My first purchase then was the FC3 and then I made some inquiries and decided immediately to convert to the standalone version of the game. First of all I wantet to support ED the most and as good as possible because they did and still do an awesome job with this game! Second I'm not a patient person at all so I like to get discounts as fast as possible ;) word of advice, be patient and buy only on one of the regularly sales! you'll save a lot of monney this way :-o and last but not least, I like the 14 days free trial! So if somebody asks me if he should go with the steam version or the standalone I will always recommend the standalone for this reasons but mainly for the reason number one!
btw, I can't see why it would be an advantege to update in steam? I've to start steam, go to DCS (I'm playing other games too) and then hit the button for the update. Speed isn't an issue for me because with my internet access I never download more than 10' at all. With the standalone I've to hit one button to start the game and the update starts immediately, why should I bother that the game is starting? I can close the game with one click after the patch is installed. So I don't get this advantage in your video.
but as mentioned above, great video dude! this is a question that many if not every new user comes across right at the beginning of their DCS career ;)
For me a big advantage for the Steam Version is the ability to throttle download speeds. I have an extremely slow internet connection so one module takes days to download and update. If I would hog the entire connection bandwidth all that time I'd get kicked out by the other people using it.
One minor other pro for the Steam Version: It's easier to get it working on the Steam Deck and play DCS on the go. It's also possible to add Standalone manually but that requires quite a bit of tinkering.
The Steam version has some issues running on Proton, but with standalone everything works flawlessly, and I have way more control over things using Lutris.
Really good video for a noob like me. It sounds like the benefits of the standalone version will offset the benefits of the Steam version for me. Thanks!
So glad you found it useful. Welcome to DCS!
Can’t even download from Ed open beta keep getting errors
I'd like to install DCS (specifically 2.7.11 or above, for the AH-64D Apache Module Early Access).. and have never installed Steam or DCS.
I understand the the official DCS requirements are 2.8Ghz i3.. however, my laptop is a 2.5Ghz i5 with 8G RAM.
I'm mostly interested in tinkering in the cockpit, firing missiles, not so much missions or combat.
Sounds like standalone might be better in my case (since Steam consumes it's own resources), the 2-Week Trials for the Apache Module, Plus the 50 percent discount on the module itself!
Do you play using only the keyboard, or would you recommend a joystick for my case?
I'm not qualified to comment on the AH-64D as I don't fly helicopters at this time.
Regarding your computer specs, my advice is to just download the basic game since it's free and try to run it. See what happens. It costs you nothing except a few minutes of your time to see if it will even run at all.
I do use a joystick when I fly, although it's not technically necessary. DCS will let you fly without one, it's just a lot harder, IMO.
I dont think you would have much fun with apache with keyboard and mouse tbh. Also apache is hungry for resources because its new and not optimised yet.. Definitely try before by. Thats my 2 cents ;)
It won't cut it.
You will need to build a PC rig just for it, if you want good performance.
If your system doesn't look like this czcams.com/video/7_goqBNcTrE/video.html then forget it. :)
lol Ok maybe its not that bad but as you can see it's a serious serious flight sim. With that said you can try it all for free yourself, DCS is free and gives you two complete planes and then you can also get "trails" of almost every module they have, although at this time the AH-64 isn't one of them but should be soon.
So try it out it's FREE
Trust me, you need to drop 5k on a new computer, joystick, rudder pedals and headtracking. It will be the best 5k you ever spent.
I had started with Steam then went to Standalone I had paid for 2 DLC aircraft at that time. The UH-1 Huey and the P-51D Mustang. I did trans the Product Keys to standalone. This is the strange part for me and I will only say this about it. I can not Prove what I will say other then My problem went away after I bought a new version from the standalone version to replace my ported over version from steam. All my issues were with the P-51 Mustang Only. over the years I installed uninstalled DCS the issue never left. The plane would wing over and fall to the ground so easy with system failures and no turns or climbs over 2 g's could be made without wing overs TILL I paid for a new model through the Standalone version. The plane flies Night and Day Differance. DCS said they can not reproduce the issues I had after sending in all the required files to show what was going on. Any way my issue is gone now. I got it replaced when it was on sale for only $19.99 so I can fly it now.
how do you use free aircraft trials on the dcs steam version
You can't do it on Steam. I explain that at 12:00.
VR Using PSVR 1 with using Steam VR software or Standalone with what Software ?
Sorry, I don't use VR so I don't know anything about it.
ty
FInally, someone who can clearly point out the pros and cons...just out of curiosity... isn't there modded aircraft that we can fly for free? if so, any idea if it's better on standalone or steam? i have both, no modules purchased..yet...but yeah, downloading the main game (stadalone) now.
Mods are compatible with both. The A4 mod for example.
As Jake said mods work with both and due to ED's ToS mods are required to be free.
So I can by and fly planes from steam or directly form DCS with no issues?
If you link your Steam account to your Eagle Dynamics account, then there is a process by which you can fly planes purchased on Steam with either version of DCS. However, the reverse is not true. Modules purchased for the stand-alone version of DCS will only work with the stand-alone version; you can't play those on Steam.
For the one time 50% off thing can you also use a promo code to get an even bigger discount?
Good question. I don't know.
I had the steam version and I switched to standalone so more of my purchase money would go to the developers of new modules but... I wish I didn't make the switch. The ED downloader is such a pain compared to steam. I have spotty internet where I am, and if that downloader loses connection for even a brief time you have to manually start the update again. It picks up where it left off, but it makes it difficult to just leave a 100GB patch to download while you're at work.
Same keeps getting errors on standalone then have to run as admin again given up now and downloading the steam version
Thanks for this!
Happy to help. Thanks for watching!
So as in speed and graphics it would be better to go with the standalone correct?
As I said at 1:06, there is literally no difference. They look and play exactly the same. The only advantage performance-wise of standalone would be that you don't have to have Steam running in the background. If your PC is on the low-end then you *might* notice this, but if you've got enough RAM you're not likely to.
hi there, so im starting with DCS, i already have a Reverb G2, i have heard that it works better with the Steam version, is this true?
Maybe somebody else can chime in, but I don't know. I don't use VR.
Can you do a tutorial about the miles? Where to see how much miles it costs to get that veichle for exsample
If you spend $10, you will receive 1000 miles (1 mile per cent)
If you buy a module worth $10, you could use 10,000 miles to buy it (10 miles per cent)
Hope this helps.
@@Tigermoto ahh i see. Im too lazy to do the calculations how much is the hornet in miles
I'm thinking about purchasing some dlcs, have never bought any but have steam DCS account. Downloaded DCS from eagle and tried to purchase some dlc but no 50% off. Haven't bought any in either so what am I doing wrong?. Cheers
Unfortunately you just missed out on the deal. Eagle Dynamics discontinued the new player program last week. However, they still have sales all the time.
@@takeoffwithjakesoft Well Damm, couldn't figure out what was going on there but thanks for the info. Cheers! :)
I have both the standalone and steam, can take advantage of steam regional pricing and the convenience of standalone
I use Steam, Rise of Flight, Il-2 Great Battles, Cliffs of Dover, I've always been interested in DCS and now I'm getting closer to the plunge. I'm not a serious gamer so the Steam platform is convenient, with the gift cards. You mentioned that it is RAM heavy, will 16 Gs be adequate?
A great presentation, BTW.
Thanks! 16 GB is good enough to get started. Go for at least 32 GB if you have multi-player aspirations. Welcome to DCS!
@@takeoffwithjakesoft32GB is the way to go, BTW, the graphics are incredible!
i said screw it and downloaded both- i use steam for actually playing because i like the hour counter and simple management of modules. however i use standalone for trials :) 200gbs worth of storage just to both play and trial but if you got the storage i recommend testing it
Well you did not mention the Open Beta thing. Apparently everything gets released first into Open Beta, which is so stable enough that many of the popular servers are actually running only on the version of open beta. So running standalone open beta only gives you all the benefits to all you mentioned above + early access to new stuff + more online servers.
DCS Steam Edition also supports Open Beta, but Steam will install the "stable" version by default. After install, you have to opt into open beta in the game settings through the Steam interface. Once you do that, Steam will patch your DCS to the OB version you'll have access to all the same servers as Standalone Open Beta.
@@takeoffwithjakesoft Thanks. didn't actually know that. But if you mean to extend the information in your video by any means you can maybe slip in the info about the open beta thing. thanks and cheers.
If i use steam,my fps drops from 65 to 25! Why???
I would have prefered to be able to run it on Steam for ease of use but for some unknown reasons, I can't run it from Steam. I tried re-installing it a few times but it never worked. Once I went stand alone, it ran perfectly.
I have enough RAM and so on to run this game... but seems to be an issue with Steam.
Thanks for the viedo!!
Glad you liked the video and are able to find a way to enjoy the sim. Have fun!
I think another advantage on the standalone is that you can buy more aircraft because some of them say “steam incompatible”
The "Steam Incompatible" disclaimer on the DCS website means that if you buy the module through Eagle Dynamics, the license is not valid for DCS Steam Edition. In reality, it's the same exact module as you'd find in the Steam store but with different DRM. The same modules are available for purchase through both Steam and directly from Eagle Dynamics.
I found DCS through Steam's game recommendations. Didn't know there was a standalone till later lol
You can transfer your purchases from Steam to the standalone client and switch over to it. Not vice versa though.
@@charlie7mason I already have all the modules I want on Steam so no point in switching. I like having all my games linked through Steam
So best to download them both my pc can handle steam running as well but I’d like to benefit from the mile points and big discounts but Imma get them both
anyone on linux managing to run it standalone?
How u get dcs wit stand-alone?
From the main website. www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/
The point about updating on its own is simply wrong. My DCS always prompts me to update if there is one.
I muddled that part. I should have said "passive updates" or something like that. If you start Steam as part of Windows startup or open Steam to play another game, then Steam looks for DCS updates. Steam will look for DCS updates as a side effect of other actions.
As an owner of both versions I urge caution with the Steam version, I got robbed when several mods simply would not run on my system and I was refused a refund because Steam only offers refunds on games with less than 2 hours playing time logged, and yes that is a compound number, that includes any new DLC that does not work! Many mods are broken on Steam and they work fine in standalone, you can get 2 week free trials to test the content as some mods barely run or not at all for me in potato mode even though I have some mods running almost maxed out, this game sucks up resources.
I transferred all my licenses to the standalone after an awful experience with Steam support, they'll never receive another penny from me for DCS or any other game I decide to buy going forward.
i use steam because it wouldnt let me install the stand alone and i cant just switch without leaving my modules behind from my information
I'm not sure about what's going on with the SA installer for you, but you can definitely bring your modules with you from Steam to SA. I covered that in the video and have done so myself.
One very impotant point to mention. The 50% discount for new users is for accounts with NO MODULES bound to them. So, if like me, you are switching from Steam to Standalone - do not bind your Steam purchases until after you have made your 50% discount deal purchases. Modules transferred from Steam count as purchases and mean you cannot get the new customer discount one bound.
That's right. It's what I was trying to say around 11:30 in the video.
@@takeoffwithjakesoft Yes indeed, you did actually say it. I jumped the gun a bit with my comment.
I still don't want DCS yet cause not only is my internet download speed slow (averaging about 1 megabytes per second) and my current devices have bad storage space and specs (PC has intel i5 i believe and 3.8gb RAM with 112gb C: storage and my laptop has intel i3 with 4gb RAM and 224gb C: storage) but also I don't have any external gear like throttle, joystick all of the good stuff and use keyboard and mouse in piloting.
Started with steam, switched to stanalone and have never looked back. I almost exclusively fly online pvp though.
I have never regretted any money i spent on this, i have found it worth it every time. For every module, the level of detail and ammount of work it takes to make one of these. Even at full price they are a bargain. I dont understand people who can afford a pc that can run this, and all the flight controls, then worry about the price of the aircraft? Its the cheapest part of the whole thing. You are a lunatic.
Just war thunder plebs salty theu cant afford a mid lvl pc to play DCS, and when they can, they just get recket even by AI lol 😆 😂, let them cry in their 60 to 600 bucks premium vehicles in war thunder
Dcs updater has a standard link, no command line required
You are absolutely correct. I discovered this after making the video. Sorry I got that wrong.
no problems with steam DCS openbeta since years i have it :)
If ED ever abandon DCS or went bankrupt, u where not be able to activate ur modules anymore in Standalone. Steam is the safer bet. U will be able to play the game, even if ED gets belly up.
4 or 6 50% sales events a year is a big plus for SA over steam, i got mu supercarrier + hornet for 20 bucks lol, same for my Apache
Also i heard that you cant play in some elite hardcore multiplayer servers because of the scripts, but im not sure about that 🤷🏻♂️
Good job
Thanks
So, this is what I do.
On everyday gameplay, I use DCS standalone. I can get easy free trials, and as someone who isn't the most financially capable to buy 60 dollar modules, this is my main way of flight.
If however I do buy a module, I always do so through steam, because cheaper.
stand alone has vr right?
I've personally never used VR, but yes, it does.
imo steam is also more accessible cause there are a lot more payment methods than the standalone
I wish my PC could handle this game. I haven't played a good flight game since top gun and ace combat.
Steam works for me with Linux usage via proton.
Nice vid! Personally I like to support ED. Steam takes 30 percent. Also there aren’t many players on steam for servers
You cant play in ED servers when you play the steam version?
Yeah. Well you can just nit open beta stable and steam work together I think. Plus open beta has all the good servers.
Most of the servers run open beta. Steam defaults to install "stable". If you opt in to open beta through the game options in Steam then you'll see all the same servers as the standalone open beta version would.
@@takeoffwithjakesoft Your right but most for most it’s quite complicated and off putting
I switched to standalone specifically because the cut that steam takes from the developers, They don't add anything besides the file hosting. I wanted more money to be sent to the devs pockets.
Nah they already are rich from all these overpriced modules
@@hansloyalitat9774 overpriced? Each plane takes years to make my guy 70 usd is cheap, sounds like you need to get a job.
@@michaelmartin2763 Not cheap when the average salary in my country is 7000
@@hansloyalitat9774 sounds to me you need to budget more. Definitely not overpriced for how much work is put in
Hey is the standalone the Open beta ?
No, that's something different. Both Steam and Standalone have "open beta" and "release" flavors. Steam "open beta" players can play with Stand Alone "open beta" players. Open beta just gets updates sooner and more often than the "release" version of the game.
@@takeoffwithjakesoft so If i Play the standalone Open Beta (The Version fron the Homepage of ED) ,so i cant Play with some dudes of the Steam stable edition, true ?
@@conon251 Not quite. There are 4 versions.
1. SA Stable
2. SA Open Beta
3. Steam Stable
4. Steam Open Beta
Any "Stable" can play with "stable" (Options 1 and 3). Any open beta can play with open beta (Options 2 and 4).
@@conon251 True.
Ah okey , thanks ☺️ now i get the Point
On VR I prefer standalone version.
Steam servers being word class? I have a gigabit fiber, the standalone downloader uses all of my gigabit connection, 940mbs to be exact, which is the real limit. Steam on the other hand, never goes higher than 600mbs and after like a minute drops to 300mbs and stays there. I’ve tried multiple download servers, steam is just worse.
There is no question that local network conditions as well as restrictions placed by your ISP can influence actual speeds. The numbers you posted are both likely to be well above the bandwidth cap of a typical user in many markets. For example: There is no practical difference between 300mbs and 940mbs for a user who's bw caps at 100mbs; they'll just see 100mbs for both Steam and SA. That's what I was trying say at 3:36.
Anecdotally, after about a year of having both installed and doing the same updates at the same time of day on the same computer the DL speeds were very close most of the time. It's just that when one was noticeably faster, it was always Steam for me. I thought it worth sharing my observations to reflect what a user might expect. With that said, I can easily believe that my results are not universal and that the reverse might be true for you and others. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Ha I’m watching on a LG Smart Toaster
Im only commenting to help the youtube algorithim
Stand-alone, all the way
When I got into DCS... Steam wasnt an option.
In short, stand alone has no significant advantages. A little more often discounts that eventualy come to steam as well. Not even mentionable in my opinion. "Developers get more money outside of steam!" yeah I really don't give a shit, since they overprice modules heavily anyway. Selling everything seperate for hefty prizes. I have no sympathy for them loosing a little money for modules that are missing content like for example campaigns you have to buy seperatly. Who cares. Steam works fine, it has discounts as wel and the modules release at the same time. Love the game, don't give a shit about ED.
Cry more PVEr hahaha
@@StoneCoolds You know, I was going to buy DCS world because I wanted a realistic combat flight sim, but seeing how toxic this community is towards new players has turned me off of the game. I guess I'll just go fuck off because you guys treat anyone who doesn't instantly understand extremely complex control schemes the second they pick up the game as well as a 20-year Air Force vet like the lowest scum this world has to offer.
@@StoneCooldssteam works just fine in multiplayer. What’s your point?
Steam 4ever
Steam is an unnecessary hassle and an unnecessary go between the can ban you from accessing the files independently of eagle Dynamics. There is little to no point in volving a third party.
nothing of value will be lost if i play the steam version...great....not only there aint no paypal in my country, i havent had the time to make a passport for the card...since i m only getting the tomcat, the carrier and persia, syria, nevada i also dont need to spend thousands
Always gonna be loyal to steam, makes it easier to manage and install my games
Well you're name is very accurate then
Steam says it's steam deck compatible lol.
Buying on standalone and obtaining the 50% discount and transferring already existing licenses later from steam is against the EULA. The 50% discount is only for new players. If that works atm, it's not guaranteed that it won't work anymore tomorrow and that people get issues that took this "advantage". That said, I would not recommend telling people to do so as you actively ask people to break the EULA.
I certainly don't want to get anyone in trouble. Where does it say that you can't do that in the EULA?
"Each user that has no licenses and serial numbers even deactivated, orders, gifts or transferred from Steam licenses receives a promo offer in a popup window inside DCS World."
I interpret this to mean as long as you have not transferred any licenses, you're good. Put another way, if ED makes the offer via the in-game menu, then you are free to use it.
Subjectively, I doubt ED would have a problem with getting people to convert from Steam to Standalone as it's a better business case for ED.
Sources:
www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/license/
www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/Discount/
Euh ... the dev advice you to do exactly that before transferring your steam license to the standalone. To be able to enjoy the 50% sale for a new created account. So ...
if the dev told you than you can, that mean than you can.
I think the word 'transfer' is the confusing part, ED have a section on their website that links to Steam, and if you have a module on Steam, ED give you the license stand alone too.
it wont fucking load on steam or standalone
this video is much longer than it needed to be
Your comment is more annoying than it needed to be.
Hate steam takes 30% for a crappy platform so full standalone every time is possible