Steam or Windows Store?

EunSoo · December 26, 2016

Hi! I'm looking into getting the game 'Astroneer' and it can be bought through either Windows Store or Steam. A little bit of research showed me that the Windows Store is not very popular among PC gamers. But I also have an Xbox and it would be nice to be able that game on it especially since if it gets split-screen support so I can have people play with me locally. But the devs have shown interest in support for steam workshop mods and I would want to jump on that and as of now, Windows Store has no support for mods. Also, Windows Store seems to be locked down compared to Steam but few of those limitations seem to bother me. For example:

No Overlays - I don't I need one but if I did, couldn't I just use CAM and put it on my other monitor?
V-Sync is stuck on - Xbox has said that it will be fixed soon and that was back in February. I would imagine that is fixed by now
Borderless-Windowed mode always on - I'll be able to run it fine without fullscreen and I would run it in borderless anyway
No Modding - That seems like the only downside that I care about. And that could even become supported by Windows Store but isn't a certainty. And Xbox hasn't said anything about it.

So right now my decision seems to be whether I want to play the game on Xbox and PC or whether I want mods when they become a thing in the future. What do you guys think? Is there something that I am missing?

Pachuca · December 26, 2016

I have similar concerns. I plan to avoid the windows store for games in the near future until the quality issues are resolved. Plus their selection is about 2-3 games that are even worth mentioning... the rest are ... well ... not worth it. I think it's too new to really invest in it just yet. Steam on the other hand is well established and has loads of choices and flexibility for gamers. In your case it doesn't seem like a perfect match either way. I think the mods would make your experience worth it in the end so go for steam purchase.

Delicieuxz · December 26, 2016

If the cross-play between PC and console is the most important thing to you, then I guess go Windows Store. But, if it isn't, then Steam has better everything else (features, community, customization).

johnt · December 26, 2016

To be fair, I don't think anyone is truly fond of the Microsoft stores. Console users don't have a choice. The Xbox One menu is a steaming pile of mess, and the console store is even worse.

I would bite my tongue and fork over my cash to Steam just to send a message to Microsoft. And not to mention... we don't need anymore DRM clients.

EunSoo · December 26, 2016

4 hours ago, Pachuca said:

I have similar concerns. I plan to avoid the windows store for games in the near future until the quality issues are resolved. Plus their selection is about 2-3 games that are even worth mentioning... the rest are ... well ... not worth it. I think it's too new to really invest in it just yet. Steam on the other hand is well established and has loads of choices and flexibility for gamers. In your case it doesn't seem like a perfect match either way. I think the mods would make your experience worth it in the end so go for steam purchase.

4 hours ago, Delicieuxz said:

If the cross-play between PC and console is the most important thing to you, then I guess go Windows Store. But, if it isn't, then Steam has better everything else (features, community, customization).

45 minutes ago, JohnT said:

To be fair, I don't think anyone is truly fond of the Microsoft stores. Console users don't have a choice. The Xbox One menu is a steaming pile of mess, and the console store is even worse.

I would bite my tongue and fork over my cash to Steam just to send a message to Microsoft. And not to mention... we don't need anymore DRM clients.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm still unsure because I want to play on Xbox but I hate the platform. I might even buy it twice on each platform so i can get the best of both worlds.