Question on purchase platform

from GalCiv3 Forums

I'd like to buy the founder's membership, but I had a question on where I decide to purchase it, specifically whether to buy from the Stardock store or from Steam.

I know with some games, Steam allows you to register the keys and treat it as if you had purchased the game from Steam (DL the game from them, etc). I do not know if that works for all games, though, and specifically I don't know if that is the case for this game. I know that Steam takes a profit cut from the game when purchased through them, and so really my questions are as follows:

1. Is purchasing the game through Stardock just buying the game for steam, or does Stardock actually get the higher revenue from me buying it from them?

2. If I do buy the game from Stardock, can I then register the key with Steam to download it from there?

I'd really rather buy the game directly from the developer, especially since I love Stardock's games and admire how they treat their customers, but if I cannot use the convenience of Steam's system, I'd rather grimace at the fact that Steam will take a (higher?) cut to be able to use it.

7,985 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

You will get a Steam Key even if you buy from StarDock.

The reason is that the game uses Steamworks as DRM so this allows you to register it on steam wherever you buy it. This is valid for all steamworks game.

If you want to maximize help to Stardock, buy directly from Stardock and Steam will not take a portion of the profit ;)

I am sure Steam Spies do not like reading this but when there is a SteamWorks Game coming from a Indie studio or from a dev I really like, I will try to buy direct from the dev so they get as much of the money as possible :p

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I'm 99% sure that if you buy it through StarDock, they get more of the money than if you do through Steam.

Buying it through StarDock gets you a generated email link to go log in to the StarDock site, where they'll generate a Steam key for you. You can then manually activate the Alpha in Steam using that key.

In both cases, you WILL ALWAYS have to use Steam to actually install the game itself.

It's a comparable experience to going to a physical store and buying a game there, then logging into Steam to register the key you got off the box back.

 

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks for the info. I have it installing now after buying from the Stardock store.