I would like to purchase EU IV and CK II but I do not want to use Steam. I checked Amazon but their download requires Steam. What other purchase options do I have?
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CK2 was formerly available on Gamersgste, but Paradox cut ties with them a long time ago. Like many games in this day and age, both are Steam-only. Even if you bought direct from Paradox, you'd be buying a Steam key.
To be completely honest with you though, Steam is sort of a necessity if you consider yourself a PC gamer. Both games are certainly worth it if you're willing to create a Steam account (if it's any indication, I personally have several hundred hours in EU4 and 1200 in CK2). On the bright side however, both are perfectly playable in singleplayer without even signing into Steam.
To be completely honest with you though, Steam is sort of a necessity if you consider yourself a PC gamer. Both games are certainly worth it if you're willing to create a Steam account (if it's any indication, I personally have several hundred hours in EU4 and 1200 in CK2). On the bright side however, both are perfectly playable in singleplayer without even signing into Steam.
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Isn't there an original print of EU4 in a physical CD format? I remember there was a competition about some cake and the winner got an old original hard copy of EU4, I assume they are very hard to find.
I have a Steam account and I own both game but we are in disagreement on a customer service issue and I asked to have my account terminated so I will need to repurchase the games. Lack of customer service is the result of a non competitive market.
I'm sorry but those two games, plus HOI4 and Stellaris, are only available via Steam, wherever and however you buy them.
The only current games we publish (but do not write) that don't need Steam are Pillars of Eternity and Tyranny, the GoG editions don't need Steam.
Aside from that you'd have to go back to older games like EU3.
The only current games we publish (but do not write) that don't need Steam are Pillars of Eternity and Tyranny, the GoG editions don't need Steam.
Aside from that you'd have to go back to older games like EU3.
DVD versions still require Steam.
no... lack of customer service is a result of steam being infamous for having piss poor customer service. like seriously, they did everything wrong.
also, customer service has nothing to do with the games themselves as transactions are online (and either work or don't go through) and updates automatic.
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I don't see what this got to do with what the previous poster [post #2 - Bernard95] said or to your original post.
The move to Steam only was done out of convenience and reduced costs and not, as you so implied, due to Steam forcing their hand.
As for your question, some countries require the sell of hard-copies as well and you can get the [try Amazon/EBay in UK or Germany]. Obviously, those DVDs would contain only the initial release version [1.1] and you would still require Steam for any desired updates.
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I meant to the 2nd post and his subsequent reply.
I've amended my post to avoid further confusion.
Point being is that Paradox will only sell through Steam, either you have a Steam account or you cannot play the game. This appears to be true with other game publishers giving Steam a monopoly on the gaming market. While they have that there is no incentive for them to provide any customer service.
That is the nice thing about email feeds, you get to read the draft versions.
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dude. think of steam as a video game console- a Steam... on Your Machine. it's convenient and simple for consumers and developers and allows indie devs a publicized platform that they'd never have otherwise.
include things like auto-updates that give less tech savvy consumers the opportunity to play the game up-to-date as well as the psuedo-DRM that is steam authentication that makes it more difficult for pirates to play illegally downloaded games.
also, NO. steam does not have a monopoly, not by a long shot. GamerGate, GOG, Uplay, Origin, Windows Store, G2A, Humble Bundle. all these services do the same thing as steam- just not as good all around, not as much choice, one-company content (ubisoft, EA, microsoft-owned), shady business practices (EA, G2A) and not as much exposure. result: people gravitate towards what's known, what works, and what's easy.
the reason why PI went steam only- cost cutting, better exposure (2013-14 was more or less their watershed years), ease of use. there's no conspiracy here.
and once again, their customer service is infamous for a reason- and that reason ISN'T "well we have no rivals so who cares". Valve tried to outsource customer service to 3rd parties... 3rd parties who were only interested in cooking the books to make themselves look good while doing diddly towards what they were contracted to actually do. this blew up in their face when they got an "F" in customer service from the Better Business Bureau and they've been attempting to alleviate it since 2015 (not very well apparently)
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I am outsourced support for a company and I would lose my contract for ignoring customers.
Your beef would seem to be with Steam and their support, not us. We support our games very well, IMO.
Your question has been answered. Unless there's more on the topic relative to Paradox and our games, I don't want to see any more posts on the pro-/anti-Steam theme. Thanks all.