Question for PC users

magictucktuck

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

notimetocare

Avoid steam, everyone i know that uses it hates it

IronCrystal

I personally use the launcher because I got the game before Steam was available (make sure to close the launcher or else it causes memory leaks though). Some also just make a shortcut directly to the .exe and only use launcher when updating.

I use Steam for all my other games though, it is a nice service.

If you have your other games in Steam, but don't want your account integrated into Steam, you could just add the .exe of the game to your Steam library as a "non-steam game" and still launch it from Steam's client.

I believe you can connect your ESO account to Steam at any point in the future, but I don't know if you can go back once you do.

I am not aware of whether steam service being down prevents you from playing the game. It doesn't go down often, but it could happen.

Paulington

I use the main launcher, but everyone I know who uses Steam would rather they did not use it.

I'd suggest using the normal launcher, it seems to create less issues.

BlackSparrow

There is no reason you should need to connect your ESO game with Steam if you purchased it through the site. Just hop in from the launcher... it works fine.

Steam, as a whole, is hit-and-miss for me. Some things, like game updates, it makes easy to manage. Other times, it's a pain of the butt, particularly when service is down.

MLGProPlayer

Avoid Steam for games that use their own launcher and login (like ESO).

I love Steam, but it doesn't work well with these types of games.

IcyDeadPeople

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

The only way to fully connect ESO with steam is buying a copy in the Steam store.

Since you already own the non-Steam version, after buying second copy on Steam, you will be able to install via Steam and then log on using your existing (non-Steam) account, but this is a significant additional expense just to be able to have it in your Steam library.

zergbase_ESO

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

Get standalone. I got mine thru steam and had to move to the standalone client. ZoS has ZERO support for issues.


Standalone allows you to avoid pesky patching errors. All I get is manifest errors with steam client and KB articles do not help. Nor does any of the support team. Like seriously look at Support forum there is like barely any one from ZoS posting on it.

Ruze

I've never had an issue with the Steam version.

Hippie4927

Ruze wrote: »

I've never had an issue with the Steam version.

^^same^^

TheRealPotoroo

IcyDeadPeople wrote: »

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

The only way to fully connect ESO with steam is buying a second Steam copy. After buying second Steam copy, you can install via Steam and then log on using your existing (non-Steam) account, but this is a significant additional expense just to be able to have it in your Steam library.

Nonsense. I bought through ESO and connected to my Steam account when it became possible. Steam does very little, though, beyond keeping track of how many hours I've played.

I'd advise people to buy through ESO because you're then not reliant on Steam and/or the Steam-ESO connection being available. In the event of Steam issues I can just log in directly. It also avoids certain problems when buying things from the ESO store if you're outside the US, as I am. (The problem is that the ESO site advertises in your local currency but if Steam is running and your account is connected then Steam "takes over" the transaction and completes it in USD. Exchange rates can mean you can pay substantially more if you're not careful, not to mention that switching currencies mid-transaction like that is totally illegal. I avoid this by ensuring Steam is not running when I buy from ESO).

IronCrystal

TheRealPotoroo wrote: »

IcyDeadPeople wrote: »

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

The only way to fully connect ESO with steam is buying a second Steam copy. After buying second Steam copy, you can install via Steam and then log on using your existing (non-Steam) account, but this is a significant additional expense just to be able to have it in your Steam library.

Nonsense. I bought through ESO and connected to my Steam account when it became possible. Steam does very little, though, beyond keeping track of how many hours I've played.

And there is an in-game feature for that.

/played - displays hours on the current character.

Megabear

I don't go through Steam but I've read several threads regarding issues concerning Steam. Rule of thumb: It's never a good idea to go through a middle man.

PathwayM

The Steam version is great and actually provides both launchers, so if you want to use the old one you can. You just need to make a shortcut to the executable. The steam launcher uses a passwordless login though which is nice because your account is tied to steam. But if Steam goes down you can just use the normal launcher and log in with your eso password.

So ultimately the Steam option just provides more convenience and has a good fallback option

Insandros

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

Same, i stay away from steam, all games i've been in, lots of issue for those getting the Steam version... I bought one game on it, and ever since i'Ve seen all the problem people have, i never bought one more, only reason i did was the fact it was really cheap and normal version didn't have any suspport anymore since it was old.

IcyDeadPeople

TheRealPotoroo wrote: »

IcyDeadPeople wrote: »

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

The only way to fully connect ESO with steam is buying a second Steam copy. After buying second Steam copy, you can install via Steam and then log on using your existing (non-Steam) account, but this is a significant additional expense just to be able to have it in your Steam library.

Nonsense. I bought through ESO and connected to my Steam account when it became possible. Steam does very little, though, beyond keeping track of how many hours I've played.

That is not what I mean by fully connecting ESO with Steam. For example, you can't write Steam guides and reviews of ESO, broadcast ESO or upload ESO videos and screenshots to the hub page. For that, to make ESO part of your Steam library, the only way is doing what I did, which is buying a second account on Steam.

It is probably not worth the additional expense for most people. During the first ESO sale on Steam, it was very cheap and I bought a few copies to give to friends, had an extra one left over. Plus I wanted to post some videos, Steam guides and reviews etc.

TheRealPotoroo wrote: »

I'd advise people to buy through ESO because you're then not reliant on Steam and/or the Steam-ESO connection being available. In the event of Steam issues I can just log in directly. It also avoids certain problems when buying things from the ESO store if you're outside the US, as I am. (The problem is that the ESO site advertises in your local currency but if Steam is running and your account is connected then Steam "takes over" the transaction and completes it in USD. Exchange rates can mean you can pay substantially more if you're not careful, not to mention that switching currencies mid-transaction like that is totally illegal. I avoid this by ensuring Steam is not running when I buy from ESO).

I don't launch ESO via Steam, in my case, I just downloaded the initial launcher from my Steam library. Once it installs, you can use the ESO launcher exclusively to update and/or the .exe file to start the game.

Stovahkiin

Avoid steam like the plague

PlagueSD

I avoid using steam at all costs...

Nestor

There are no issues with the Steam Version. There are no issues with a non Steam version associated with Steam.

You also don't need to use the Steam Interface at all to launch a Steam Game or a Game you have associated with Steam.

You can run Steam in Offline Mode and their servers can burn up into cinders and your can still game.

I don't even use the EOS Launcher except on Patch Days.

Just make a shortcut to the EXE, and your good to go. Steam or Non Steam. Just have Steam running first, or it can get weird on some games mostly due to Mods.

I am not even sure what Steam adds to ESO other than telling your friends your playing this game.

TheRealPotoroo

IcyDeadPeople wrote: »

TheRealPotoroo wrote: »

"IcyDeadPeople wrote: »

The only way to fully connect ESO with steam is buying a second Steam copy. After buying second Steam copy, you can install via Steam and then log on using your existing (non-Steam) account, but this is a significant additional expense just to be able to have it in your Steam library.

Nonsense. I bought through ESO and connected to my Steam account when it became possible. Steam does very little, though, beyond keeping track of how many hours I've played.

That is not what I mean by fully connecting ESO with Steam. For example, you can't write Steam guides and reviews of ESO, broadcast ESO or upload ESO videos and screenshots to the hub page. For that, to make ESO part of your Steam library, the only way is doing what I did, which is buying a second account on Steam.

It is probably not worth the additional expense for most people. During the first ESO sale on Steam, it was very cheap and I bought a few copies to give to friends, had an extra one left over. Plus I wanted to post some videos, Steam guides and reviews etc.

I stopped short of pressing the Post Review button but Steam seemed content to let me write a review just now.

max_only

I bought ESO in a steam sale before they started irreversibly connecting accounts. If steam has a problem (has only happened once this year) I just launch from the 64.exe. I buy crowns, sub and Morrowind through the ESO site though.

magictucktuck

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think ill avoid steam for now lol

Reverb

IronCrystal wrote: »

TheRealPotoroo wrote: »

IcyDeadPeople wrote: »

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

The only way to fully connect ESO with steam is buying a second Steam copy. After buying second Steam copy, you can install via Steam and then log on using your existing (non-Steam) account, but this is a significant additional expense just to be able to have it in your Steam library.

Nonsense. I bought through ESO and connected to my Steam account when it became possible. Steam does very little, though, beyond keeping track of how many hours I've played.

And there is an in-game feature for that.

/played - displays hours on the current character.

And an addon for /played all, which gives total played time across all characters.

While many people have no problem launching ESO through the Steam client, it's more widely preferred to use the direct launcher only for updates, and create a shortcut direct to the executable for playing.

Elephant42

Nestor wrote: »

There are no issues with the Steam Version. There are no issues with a non Steam version associated with Steam.

You also don't need to use the Steam Interface at all to launch a Steam Game or a Game you have associated with Steam.

You can run Steam in Offline Mode and their servers can burn up into cinders and your can still game.

I don't even use the EOS Launcher except on Patch Days.

Just make a shortcut to the EXE, and your good to go. Steam or Non Steam. Just have Steam running first, or it can get weird on some games mostly due to Mods.

I am not even sure what Steam adds to ESO other than telling your friends your playing this game.

I too have had no issues with Steam+ESO ... up until Morrowind.

If you bought the MW upgrade through Steam then the ONLY way you can access it is to link your ESO A/C to Steam and launch through Steam. I am mightily pissed off about that I can tell you

StormWylf

I have Steam and use it for many games, but not ESO. My experience is that the launcher is the best way to go IMHO. Good luck and have fun.

Stormshaper

If by chance you wanted to have the ability to use Steam's overlay for say chatting with Steam friends, then you could create a non-Steam game entry in Steam. This won't link your Steam account to your ESO account. But you could also just keep Steam chat open if the Steam overlay isn't a concern.

magictucktuck wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think ill avoid steam for now lol

KochDerDamonen

You can add it to steam as a non-steam game to show friends that you're playing it, but it will not grant you achievments, trading cards, and will not record your time played.

MythicEmperor

I pre-ordered the game, so I didn't get it on steam. A friend of mine uses steam, however, and he constantly has problems where I have none. Avoid it.

Malnutrition

magictucktuck wrote: »

So I'm new to the PC and was on Xbox since launch and i heard once you buy the game through steam it creates problems, like you can only launch through steam so if steam is having a problem you cant log in and such. So i purchased through the ESO site here. but can i now get steam connect ESO to it and play through it without making problems? or should i just avoid getting steam altogether?

I launch my standalone ESO through Steam because it makes it easy to shift+tab and open a browser via Steam and fast access to my Steam friends list without having to drop to desktop.

I have had zero issues launching directly to the game executable via Steam and only running the ESO launcher after patch day. I'd give it a shot. I don't get all the Steam hate here, it's always worked great for me with all the games I've played through it.