Do I have to re-buy the game to install without Steam?

[pearldrumbum]

I'm getting a new computer in a few days and I'm thinking about ditching steam when I set it up. I rarely play games except for KSP, and a couple others that aren't on steam, so I'd rather just do away with it. Will I have to re-buy the game, or is there an option to download it directly from SQUAD after purchasing on steam? Can I just transfer the whole KSP directory over? Will that work cross-platform? (New computer will be Linux, old one is Windows).

[Raptor831]

You probably should email KSP support. See here: https://kerbalspaceprogram.com/en/?page_id=23

I've heard them to be quite reasonable about these kinds of things, but obviously I can't speak for them. There also might be technical reasons that would hinder moving you off of Steam, as I seem to recall something about that not being a simple thing. But really, emailing them directly would be the best way to get an answer.

[sal_vager]

As you bought KSP on Steam, you will need to use Steam to re-download or update the game, Squad does not allow for licences to be transferred from Steam to the store.

However you do not need the Steam client, there is a command line version here that can download, install and update Steam games.

You can also back-up your current KSP install and copy it over as it is not tied to Steam by DRM.