Does a boxed version include Steam download possibility?

[Trap26]

If I buy a boxed (physical) version of civ5 will I then have the possibility of downloading the entire game via STEAM - i.e. not be dependent on the actual DVD at all? I like the idea of having the game available from a server, however digital download versions of new games tend to be much more expensive than their boxed equivalents (which is absurd??) - at least here in Denmark.

 

[stealth_nsk]

I think DVD will also be cheaper here in Russia (when it finally come in half a year or so), but I really not sure about steam downloading with these local tricks. I know some Steam games, which are sold in Russia with Russian official translation, but Steam download doesn't list Russian as supported language. Suppose this could be the case in Denmark as well.

 

[trezno]

Usually, when a game uses Steamworks, then you can either install from the DVD or simply just add in the serial-code in Steam and you can download the game and install.

I did that with Modern Warfare 2, and it's now tied to my steam account and I can play from everywhere I have steam installed.

Edit: Just to clarify. Either way you buy the game, you have to use steam. So the answer is quite simply, Yes.

 

[TheChanger]

it works that way with Dawn of War 2 as well i believe.

 

[Wezqu]

Any game that needs steam to run can be downloaded from steam even if you bought it on dvd.

 

[lietkynes]

Install Steam, enter CD key to register your game, download.

 

[Tarkhan]

Pretty much.

If you have one of those lame bandwith nazi ISPs the DVD might be a good option.

 

[paradigmx]

If you can buy it on Steam, you can download it through Steam

 

[stealth_nsk]

If you can buy it on Steam, you can download it through Steam

And if you can't? Like localized version not listed on Steam?

 

[paradigmx]

And if you can't? Like localized version not listed on Steam?

You can, there is no exception to that rule, not in all the Steam games I've ever purchased.

I bought Empire: Total War and the Orange Box from the store, I have never even put the DVDs in my drive, I just registered the games and downloaded them.

 

[stealth_nsk]

You can, there is no exception to that rule, not in all the Steam games I've ever purchased.

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 2 don't have Russian language on Steam, while it could be bought on DVD.

 

[CanuckSoldier]

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 2 don't have Russian language on Steam, while it could be bought on DVD.

So what happens to that game when Steam goes to patch it?

CS

 

[stealth_nsk]

So what happens to that game when Steam goes to patch it?

Never played it myself, so really don't know. Probably the localization is considered mod or something, so you need to patch it separately.

I just want to point what cheap local DVD editions could have some weird behavior.

 

[paradigmx]

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 2 don't have Russian language on Steam, while it could be bought on DVD.

Curiously, can you buy the Russian language Modern Warfare 2 on Steam? DVD is one thing, but my statement was than if you can buy the game on the Steam Network(as you can with Civ V, Empire: TW, etc.), then you can always download it from the Steam Network.

If you can't buy the Russian localization on Steam and only on DVD, then you can't download it on Steam.

Localization works differently for every product though, I can't comment on how Firaxis plans to handle this.

 

[stealth_nsk]

If you can't buy the Russian localization on Steam and only on DVD, then you can't download it on Steam.

Localization works differently for every product though, I can't comment on how Firaxis plans to handle this.

Yes, you can't buy it on Steam, so I suppose you can't download it from Steam. But you could play it through Steam and don't know anything about patches.

 

[Disgustipated]

I prefer to buy the DVD hard copy, but it would be nice to know if I could download it on steam if my DVD ever breaks.

 

[Rebel44]

All copies of Civ5 will be tied to Steam account so you will always be able to redownload it.

 

[Unionfield]

You can, there is no exception to that rule, not in all the Steam games I've ever purchased.

I bought Empire: Total War and the Orange Box from the store, I have never even put the DVDs in my drive, I just registered the games and downloaded them.

This is not true, and people should be very careful not to make such strident statements when they have no basis in fact.

There are a select number of games for which one can purchase a copy in a brick-and-mortar store and activate it on Steam. You can find that list here: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-wusf-3601. As you can deduce, there are tons of games that are available for purchase on Steam but not on that list.

This isn't to say that you cannot buy Civ5 in a store and activate it on Steam. I agree that, if the game has Steamworks and will require a download of Steam to play, it's a fair bet to say that you can just use the key. But it is to say that you should research the question before you make wildly inaccurate statements that could cost someone $50.

 

[Mercade]

This is not true, and people should be very careful not to make such strident statements when they have no basis in fact.

There are a select number of games for which one can purchase a copy in a brick-and-mortar store and activate it on Steam. You can find that list here: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-wusf-3601. As you can deduce, there are tons of games that are available for purchase on Steam but not on that list.

This isn't to say that you cannot buy Civ5 in a store and activate it on Steam. I agree that, if the game has Steamworks and will require a download of Steam to play, it's a fair bet to say that you can just use the key. But it is to say that you should research the question before you make wildly inaccurate statements that could cost someone $50.

Paradigmx in his post indicates that it's true for the games that he's bought. He doesn't make any claim as to other games. And 2K Greg's FAQ basically confirms it for Civ5. You can buy the DVD in a brick & mortar store and install Civ5 from on-line without using the DVD.