PC steam or eso store version?

xgoldelf

Which version for pc is better to use ? Steam or the regular eso store?

Rohamad_Ali

Store version. Avoid steam.

DigiAngel

I use the steam version and it's been a long time since steam had a login issue, but I agree....if you're starting out, skip the middleman of steam and go store version.

Cadbury

I use the Steam version. I have yet to have any issues with it. YMMV of course.

PeacefulAnarchy

Steam: convenience of having steam handle the install and having it there for you to click with no fuss, not having to remember your password. Tradeoff is a few times a year you may get a login issue for a few minutes and maybe once every year and a half you have a login issue for a couple of hours (these are steamwide auth outages, not specific to this game).

The game itself is the same either way and runs equally once you're logged in either way, it's the exact same install, the only difference is the login hook goes through steamauth rather than you typing in your password.

Which you prefer depends on what you want. If you already use steam and this is something you'll be playing alongside a bunch of other stuff, then use steam. If you're going to be playing ESO many hours every day and missing a few hours a year due to login issues is a giant dealbreaker, then go standalone. Note that ESO has its own share of outages from time to time, when those happen the issues will be the same whether you're using steam or not.

Gythral

Avoid Sream, too many issues...

Amottica

Rohamad_Ali wrote: »

Store version. Avoid steam.

This. Going through Steam is just asking for additional trouble that is completely avoidable. I understand there has been some major headaches for ESO Steam players before and know players in other games that have experienced issues merely because they got their game through Steam.

And when I say there have been some major issues for the Steam version I am speaking to hours upon hours of not being able to log into the game.

rpa

If you have Stean starting on startup for convenience anywy and intend to keep it that way for many years to future no matter how much more it bloats, you might want to have Steam version. If not, get the regular steamless version.

Necrotech_Master

even if you go through the store version, you can still set the launcher as a "non steam game" to still launch it through steam to get the overlay, but without the hassle of linking accounts (or dealing with login issues)

Ragnarok0130

Rohamad_Ali wrote: »

Store version. Avoid steam.

I used the ESO version at launch, and when it came to steam later I switched to Steam and haven't had any issues and there's the convenience of not having to type in your credentials every time you log in. If Steam is down you can still go into the Steam folder and launch the game via the ZoS launcher where you have to type in your credientials playing as you would via the ZoS version. IMO Steam is the better option due to this flexibility and better overall user experience.

Freelancer_ESO

Keep in mind that when you use Steam for a game instead of using the game's launcher, Valve takes a cut.

Mesite

I have both. I log in through ESO but buy crowns and chapters through Steam as people often buy me steam cards for Christmas and birthdays (also no credit card required). I used to log in through Steam too but have no space to install using both now.
I've heard you have to buy it both from the ESO store AND also buy it through steam to do this now.

xgoldelf

Is it true Bethesda is migrating its launcher to steam? I found an article online that said that but not sure if it’s true.

FeedbackOnly

Steam hasn't had issues for a few years now. Steam version makes it easier to play steam deck if someday you want

phaneub17_ESO

xgoldelf wrote: »

Is it true Bethesda is migrating its launcher to steam? I found an article online that said that but not sure if it’s true.

Zenimax =/= Bethesda. Two separate entities under the same parent company, but yes Bethesda Launcher is now part of Steam thankfully, I hated launching that when trying to run the Creation Kit for Skyrim.

EnerG

I play steam, never had issues what were confirmed steam, the login servers zos side have more frequent issues than steam.

Its really up too you, I play steam so I can brag about my hours played and my boyfriend can pay my eso+ easier.(Hes doesnt even play eso, but thnx babe lol)

ALSO on steam you can get chapters gifted too you directly if you use alternate forms of payment like favors for friends and family (like helping clean, babysit. Ect. This is a rare occurence but ive had babysitting money paid out in steam credit cause i didnt need the cash so just food for thought)

davidtk

Two years ago I tried free from store then i bought it on Steam.
But after some time they fixed login without Steam and i started to buy things on store because crows from store was on account in seconds but Steam had sometimes delays (thats is only problem what i encountered on steam version)
I had BW upgrade from store so i could login without Steam but Steam's autologin rulez. Then i got High Isle form steam as gift so I must use Steam but I don't have any issues with Steam. They even fixed change ID on Steam accounts so it is up to you what version you will use. Just remember to use repair from launcher not from Steam.

Zezin

I have both versions but I buy chapters and crowns through steam as regional prices are better, if that wasn't the case for me though I wouldn't bother with the steam version.

DreamyLu

You will hear everything and its opposite, because experience on Steam is incredibly different from one user to the next, what I fail to understand.

Personally, I have an incredibly good experience with Steam and would recommend to go for Steam version. I never ever had/have any sort of troubles. I installed and played straight. Since then, one and a half year by now, it's always stable and smooth, free of any disturbances.

Kaelthorn_Nightbloom

If you use the Steam Points Shop and planning on buying lots of ESO crowns then definitely get ESO on Steam.



You can rack up some serious points that way and buy anything you want from the Points Shop basically.

davidtk

Zezin wrote: »

I have both versions but I buy chapters and crowns through steam as regional prices are better, if that wasn't the case for me though I wouldn't bother with the steam version.

Yes that was reason for me to use Steam before. I had cheaper eso+ then from store. It was 2€ difference. Then they matched price so I moved to pay subscription straight from store same as crowns.

Troodon80

I bought it on Steam and had a few issues. The issues spanned days at a time back around 2017. That's in additional to planned maintenance and other unexpected downtime on ZOS's end.

So I bought the game again via the Store and haven't regretted it. Haven't played the Steam version since around July of 2017. I don't know what it's like now, though I've heard various friends say there are still issues more than the ZOS Store version, revolving more specifically around login servers rather than game servers.

My personal view: avoid the Steam version and go direct. As others have said, your mileage may vary. If you have the money to throw away, you can always go Steam and then re-buy the ZOS version later if you find issues which bother you, or stick with Steam if you don't have issues or the issues don't impact you enough to care. Something to bear in mind: your account is not linked specifically to the Steam version, if you re-buy it then your account will be intact.

davidtk

@Troodon80
unfortunately i get as gift HI upgrade via Steam so unfortunately I am now locked to Steam if I want to play but issues with Steam? Game crashing with and without Steam and I got 2-3 "Lost lobby" in month. So I can say if it is Steam realted or not.
But I still buying crowns and subscription via zos.

Anyway about steam or not
But i can say that everytime one can buy it on Steam in sale and buy upgrade via zos store. Then you can play without Steam and if one will be annoyed by login, can play via Steam for autologin
If you buy highest upgrade via store, Steam will see it but if you will have higher upgrade on Steam and you will play without Steam, that upgrade will not work without Steam

Starlight_Knight

I moved to steam recently because i get tired of typing my password in. just boots up now no faff

Troodon80

davidtk wrote: »

@Troodon80
unfortunately i get as gift HI upgrade via Steam so unfortunately I am now locked to Steam

You are not locked to Steam. I can assure you, having done it myself. All chapters purchased through Steam are "unlocked" on your account, and the account is not actually part of Steam. If you re-buy the base game from ZOS or buy the ZOS version via any legitimate agent, you will have High Isle there as well.

deadsheepb14_ESO

Steam.

Also isn't bethesda launcher shutting down?

freespirit

deadsheepb14_ESO wrote: »

Steam.

Also isn't bethesda launcher shutting down?

The game doesn't use the Bethesda launcher, that's a different thing entirely 💕

PeacefulAnarchy

deadsheepb14_ESO wrote: »

Steam.

Also isn't bethesda launcher shutting down?

Bethesda launcher is already shut down. ESO doesn't use, and never has, the bethesda launcher, so it doesn't affect ESO.

deadsheepb14_ESO

Okay I'm clueless. So it's still two separate ways to log in for PC? I thought they were consolidating it.

freespirit

deadsheepb14_ESO wrote: »

Okay I'm clueless. So it's still two separate ways to log in for PC? I thought they were consolidating it.

You have never been able to log in to ESO from the Bethesda launcher which now doesn't exist(ESO is made by Zenimax Online Studios not Bethesda) and I believe there was or is the ability to migrate any games you had on that launcher to Steam.

So there are 2 ways to access the PC version of ESO, one via the ESO launcher or two via Steam.

Ofc you can use the exe file too, which I believe some people do because they have issues with the launcher. 😀