Purchase FS2020 from Steam or MS?

[GaryGB]

'Old school' hard core Flight Simmers are likely to also be "nostalgic collectors".

I want a MSFS-2020 (10)-DVD boxed version on the shelf along with my other prior versions of MSFS.

I'm more than just "Prepar3D" to pay for express shipping to the USA.

Microsoft Flight Simulator's physical edition will include 10 discs

The old-school package will also contain a printed manual.

www.cnet.com

I'm also more than just "Prepar3D" to download MSFS-2020 content with an average 110 mbps download bandwidth.

I now pay $ 10 less per month for internet service at 100 mbps download / 20 mbps upload bandwidth ...compared to my prior ADSL at 6 mbps download / 512 kbps upload.

New ISP service from AT&T: based on data use of 1-TB (1024 GB)/Month; my prior ISP service from AT&T: based on data use of 150 GB/Month.

Same copper wire pair for phone, and (2) separate dedicated DSL wire pairs from a FIOS curbside server with static IPs running to the new modem that channel bonds them.

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www.allconnect.com

https://www.google.com/search?ei=_u...C4xNJgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrAAQE&sclient=psy-ab

Did I make it clear enough that I now pay less for more data per month than I did in prior years of being frustrated by slower ADSL ISP service for more money per month ?

How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?

Find out how much internet speed you need to stream, game, or work from home. The short answer? At least 100Mbps.

www.reviews.org

However, I do wish MSFS-2020 came in a metal box like FS2004 A Century of Flight.

https://www.mobygames.com/images/co...4-a-century-of-flight-windows-front-cover.jpg


Yep, that is just so 'MSFS_2K-ish' (not to be confused with being "so 1990's" ...except for possibly a no-removable-media-drive-work-around).


PS: I wonder if I can make archival backups of my DVDs on M-DISC media ?

M-DISC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Perhaps the answer will be (literally) written in stone...

New 1,000-Year DVD Disc Writes Data in Stone, Literally

Millenniata, a new optical disc company, has designed an optical disc that the company said will last virtually forever.

www.pcmag.com

GaryGB

 

[Pasha]

I'm in dilemma as well. Being outside US and not having nor planning to have an Xbox, Microsoft Store won't give any extra benefit, other than more cut to devs. I also never bought anything from Microsoft Store so never experience any problem obviously (if any of you had a problem I'd like to know more thanks). I mainly use Steam to buy games, and never had any problem. My question is how addons will be published. Is it like usual, external installation, or internally (via Steam like some of FSX:SE addons or like MS Flight in-game store). And how freeware developers, like many of us here, works. I only use other stores only when they give free games. Still about 30$ short from buying Premium Deluxe, I think I'll wait while saving. I don't want to pull budget from other basket

 

[Chewe]

Premium Deluxe DVD(s) for me, nostalgic as above

 

[Christian Bahr]

Two days ago I decided to buy the digital version from the Microsoft Store, it has become the Premium Deluxe version. It's my first purchase from the MS Store and my first ever pre-order.

 

[FlyingMasterChef]

So many computers today don't even have DVD let along CD drives. So I put no stock in any requirement for that. Also, they are not initial releasing in B&M stores in the US as far as I know...if EVER. Though, I will say, I would LOVE to have a DVD copy for no other reason than to show off on my software shelf. Yeah, I'm that guy! LOL As far as Steam or MS Store.. I only buy from Steam games that are old that they have updated for today's computers. I have noticed that when it comes to many games that you can buy either Steam or not Steam 3rd party creators of content don't always support the Steam versions. And if/when they do, sometimes it is way after everyone not using Steam has access.

I pre-ordered directly from MS Store since this is a MS product. And as for ease of install/uninstall using Steam....the MS Store is exactly the same. Download, click Install, and done. Uninstall is the same.

Greg

 

[GaryGB]

'Old school' hard core Flight Simmers are likely to also be "nostalgic collectors".

I want a MSFS-2020 (10)-DVD boxed version on the shelf along with my other prior versions of MSFS.

I'm more than just "Prepar3D" to pay for express shipping to the USA.

Microsoft Flight Simulator's physical edition will include 10 discs

The old-school package will also contain a printed manual.

www.cnet.com

I'm also more than just "Prepar3D" to download MSFS-2020 content with an average 110 mbps download bandwidth.

I now pay $ 10 less per month for internet service at 100 mbps download / 20 mbps upload bandwidth ...compared to my prior ADSL at 6 mbps download / 512 kbps upload.

New ISP service from AT&T: based on data use of 1-TB (1024 GB)/Month; my prior ISP service from AT&T: based on data use of 150 GB/Month.

Same copper wire pair for phone, and (2) separate dedicated DSL wire pairs from a FIOS curbside server with static IPs running to the new modem that channel bonds them.

Best High-Speed Internet Providers of 2026 | Compare Fast Internet Near You

Explore the fastest internet options from top providers like Verizon, AT&T and Google Fiber, with high-speed fiber plans starting at $29.99/mo. with Frontier.

www.allconnect.com

https://www.google.com/search?ei=_u...C4xNJgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrAAQE&sclient=psy-ab

Did I make it clear enough that I now pay less for more data per month than I did in prior years of being frustrated by slower ADSL ISP service for more money per month ?

How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?

Find out how much internet speed you need to stream, game, or work from home. The short answer? At least 100Mbps.

www.reviews.org

However, I do wish MSFS-2020 came in a metal box like FS2004 A Century of Flight.

https://www.mobygames.com/images/co...4-a-century-of-flight-windows-front-cover.jpg


Yep, that is just so 'MSFS_2K-ish' (not to be confused with being "so 1990's" ...except for possibly a no-removable-media-drive-work-around).


PS: I wonder if I can make archival backups of my DVDs on M-DISC media ?

M-DISC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Perhaps the answer will be (literally) written in stone...

New 1,000-Year DVD Disc Writes Data in Stone, Literally

Millenniata, a new optical disc company, has designed an optical disc that the company said will last virtually forever.

www.pcmag.com

GaryGB

I just saw a post at AVSIM from a DVD purchaser who stated that if you use the code included with a boxed version, the download does not require DVD-1 to start FS:

https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/580264-just-got-my-premium-deluxe-dvd-version/


Hope this helps avoid future inconvenience with startup, as well as reducing risk for DVD damage on a collector's version ...of MSFS-2020).

GaryGB

 

[DeDrake]

The question is from gamer or developer perspective?
I'm not sure that we will be allowed to do any manipulation with files downloaded from MS Store. At least for other games bought there - you can't for sure.
Don't know about steam.

 

[A36Apache]

It looks like you can buy from Steam and it will still be associated with your Microsoft account, and so available on Windows wherever you login. The EULA does stipulate a single copy to be installed. Meh, I'm going with Steam.

 

[rhumbaflappy]

Steam just downloads the installer. upon running the installer, the sim takes over and downloads the packages from Windows Store. Steam is required to connect in running the sim if downloaded from Steam, for no apparent reason. So Steam seems to be adding a level of complication to the whole process. I'm still on my second day of downloading, so I may know more in several hours.

 

[scruffyduck]

Good luck Dick - at least it is still going

 

[rhumbaflappy]

It seems Microsoft resolved some of it's server issues. I'm downloaded and the sim functions. I successfully got the copilot to fly from Denver to Roswell, NM without crashing. I cheated, and use Little Navmap for the IFR plan, And dumbed-down the sim difficulty level. Downloading the SDK MSI file now.

 

[scruffyduck]

It seems Microsoft resolved some of it's server issues. I'm downloaded and the sim functions. I successfully got the copilot to fly from Denver to Roswell, NM without crashing. I cheated, and use Little Navmap for the IFR plan, And dumbed-down the sim difficulty level. Downloading the SDK MSI file now.

Great