Should I stick with the KSP store version?

[North]

I have had ksp for the past year now and i was thinking to get the steam key that Squad offers. Is it worth it ?. should get the steam version?

[GusTurbo]

I've been playing for over a year and I've stayed with the KSP store version. Do you use Steam a lot for other games?

[problemecium]

Based on what I've heard the store version is easier to mod and your saves will be easier to back up.

[Taki117]

I like the Store version, put it anywhere I want (like the desktop) so that when I install mods I can always find it.

[Jart]

It is the same game, no difference. Steam is not going to limit you in any way. It will auto update version if you choose. KSP has no DRM that I am aware of, Steam does not impose any kind of DRM either.

[regex]

Based on what I've heard the store version is easier to mod and your saves will be easier to back up.

I don't know where you heard that but it's completely wrong. The Steam version is exactly the same as the store version besides the method of delivery.

I like the Store version, put it anywhere I want (like the desktop) so that when I install mods I can always find it.

I do the same with my Steam copy, I have like three different installs on my desktop for modding, RSS, stock challenges, etc...

Edited March 9, 2014 by regex

[Red Iron Crown]

The software is identical with both versions, it's just a matter of preference and convenience.

[Tank Buddy]

They are virtually identical. I heard something about increased performance on the store version, but I doubt it. The reason I switched was so I could Shift+Tab in the game and take steam screenshots, which if find more convenient.

[jaredkzr]

I'd go with the store version. I went with steam but regret it since I can't have different copies for modded and stock gameplay.

[regex]

I'd go with the store version. I went with steam but regret it since I can't have different copies for modded and stock gameplay.

You have a problem with copy and pasting or something?

[Spica]

I prefer the steam version, because you have STEAM in game (what is not to like about that?), and, you can do all the same things as store version ksp, no difference whatsoever.

[SRV Ron]

I'd go with the store version. I went with steam but regret it since I can't have different copies for modded and stock gameplay.

Not true. If you copy the game out of the Steam folder, it behaves the same as the store copy. You can also have multiple copies for stock, modded, alternate Kerban, Real Universe, etc...

[Woopert]

They serve the same function. If one was better than the other people would probably be using the better one.

I prefer the store version. I bought the game January 2013 in 0.18.2, I would feel kind of guilty to just say goodbye to the store.

[boxman]

It is the same game, no difference. Steam is not going to limit you in any way. It will auto update version if you choose. KSP has no DRM that I am aware of, Steam does not impose any kind of DRM either.

There are some unlikely scenarios that could make a big difference though. Steam could decide one time in the future to drop KSP, they could go bankrupt or you could get banned for getting into a dispute with them or by breaking TOS which would mean you would lose your entire game library.

At least when using KSP store you are ensured access as long as KSP is still being developed.

I know this are unlikely situations, but it has happened to some that they for example got banned and lost their entire library of games.

There are of course also benefits to using steam so i am not trying to bash it either.

[cantab]

At least on Linux KSP doesn't insist on being launched from steam. So a copy made of the game will play just fine whatever Steam do.

[CalculusWarrior]

They are virtually identical. I heard something about increased performance on the store version, but I doubt it. The reason I switched was so I could Shift+Tab in the game and take steam screenshots, which if find more convenient.

Increased performance would likely be only if you put your Store version on an SSD or something; thus decreasing load times by quite a bit.

[Xacktar]

The benefit of Steam is that it is very easy to snap and host screenshots. (F12 in game while steam is running)

*looks at his online gallery of 500 KSP screenshots*

It's pretty nice.

[malkuth]

It's been said a few times. There is no difference between versions.

You can have multiple copies. For steam just cut and paste.

[Woopert]

The benefit of Steam is that it is very easy to snap and host screenshots. (F12 in game while steam is running)

*looks at his online gallery of 500 KSP screenshots*

It's pretty nice.

Non-steam version (and maybe Steam as well, not sure), F1 is all it takes to take screenshots. F2 hides the UI.

[Tarrow]

Increased performance would likely be only if you put your Store version on an SSD or something; thus decreasing load times by quite a bit.

Surprisingly running KSP from an SSD doesn't decrease the loading time compared to a regular HDD.

My KSP install loads in 89 seconds from my mechnical drive, and 88 seconds from my SSD. Whatever it's spending most of it's time doing during the loading sequence it isn't file i/o.

[Red Iron Crown]

Surprisingly running KSP from an SSD doesn't decrease the loading time compared to a regular HDD.

My KSP install loads in 89 seconds from my mechnical drive, and 88 seconds from my SSD. Whatever it's spending most of it's time doing during the loading sequence it isn't file i/o.

That's been my experience, too. I think it's CPU bound when loading, my AMD E-350 with an SSD takes far longer to load KSP than my Core 2 Duo with a mechanical drive.

[Kruleworld]

Based on what I've heard the store version is easier to mod and your saves will be easier to back up.

I backup the whole game, just copy it from SteamApps to my third hdd. saves having to re-download if a mod stuffs it up.

[Boris_T_Roach]

Although I have steam, I use the store version of KSP because it can live in its own folder, plus it makes it easy for my Linux data server to login into my Win7 box and do a backup copy of the KSP folder every now and then

And if you want easy steam screenshots, just add KSP to your steam menu by clicking on games, then add non-steam game to library.

Hence the huge collection of KSP screenies in my steam profile page (although thats only a small selection of what I've taken)

Anyways.... back to plotting a mun base to go with the giant rover

Boris

[Merinsan]

Pros for Steam:

Auto update

Cons for Steam:

1 more process running in the background (Steam)

I have Steam, but I don't have KSP on Steam, and I wont do it either. I don't like Steam because of some of the DRM stuff they have (for other games), so it's more on principle that I don't use it. I am forced to use Steam in some cases because their are games I want that are only available on Steam - even if I walk into a shop to buy it.

The biggest problem with using Steam is if they ever disappear, you might have a problem. It is unlikely in the near future, but the point is you have 2 points of failure - Steam and KSP, rather than the one if you go through the store.

[regex]

Although I have steam, I use the store version of KSP because it can live in its own folder

The Steam version can do this too, how many times do we have to go over this? Or is this simply an issue of people who don't bother reading a thread before commenting?