What benefits are there to play the Steam version?

"

Stormquake wrote:

I can't play right now because I play through Steam and Steam is down ;^;

Yeah same here. Was unable to play. Kept telling me: you don't seem to have an internet connection.

Nice error message lol. Reminds me of a time with windows xp when i tried to install some program i got the error: you don't have an operating system installed.

:D

I had two big reasons to change to the steam client when it came out.

1) In open beta I found the GGG install and patch process to be quite unstable. I don't know what wasn't liked about my otherwise stable system but I had corrupted install files occur on a daily basis. Not all of them would stop me playing but I had issues like technicolor texture corruption, inability to start the game until I ran the install fixing utility and two occasions had to completely reinstall. The first time was a complete redownload, the second time I was prepared with a total install backup. Moving to Steam since I have had no corrupt files and no need to redownload things, using the same system and SSD.

2) My ISP uses a dynamic IP system and resets the connection's IP intermittently. Each switch would trigger GGG's security measures for connecting from an unknown location, requiring reauthorising via email before being able to play again. This was happening several times a day if I put in a long session. I put in a support request but nothing came of it. When Steam became available I swapped over and Steam authentication always works.

The auto patching is a nice bonus and when a large patch comes out and I can't wait to play, I appreciate that the patch downloads way faster via Steam when everyone jumps on at once.

"

kompaniet wrote:

"

Stormquake wrote:

I can't play right now because I play through Steam and Steam is down ;^;

Yeah same here. Was unable to play. Kept telling me: you don't seem to have an internet connection.

Nice error message lol. Reminds me of a time with windows xp when i tried to install some program i got the error: you don't have an operating system installed.

:D

Weird. Had to run Steam in offline mode since it wouldn't connect, but was able to start and play Path of Exile with no problems.

"

MisterBernn wrote:

2) My ISP uses a dynamic IP system and resets the connection's IP intermittently. Each switch would trigger GGG's security measures for connecting from an unknown location, requiring reauthorising via email before being able to play again. This was happening several times a day if I put in a long session. I put in a support request but nothing came of it. When Steam became available I swapped over and Steam authentication always works.

That's a good point actually, I didn't think of that as I have a static IP.

It's 2014... If you're a PC gamer and you're NOT using Steam, you're doing it wrong.

There are a few exceptions though obviously... You solely play LoL, Blizzard games, the few random "Indie" games that are not on Steam, and I guess 1 of the 10,000 random MMORPG's(even though they all suck).

The monstrosities created by EA and Ubisoft do not count... If you use them you should feel bad and dirty.

I find that I can patch much faster through Steam than the normal client. It also alerts my friends as to when I am on PoE so they can come and join me. Also, most importantly; I don't have to go through the email process because of my IP changing every time I log in. Lastly, it is good exposure for PoE in general.

I like that it counts my play time.

Autopatch and big patches download instantly. And not waiting years for 100mbs. Steam ftw.

Gaben.tv rulez!

Faster patches, no issues with my dynamic IP. I've had a turbulent history with Steam, but I can certainly see why a lot of people choose to use them.

I swapped to steam because my uni blocks the regular PoE patching, but not steam downloads. So I'm able to download the game while at uni, then play at home.

No problems from steam at all.

Can't play at uni though sadly, login servers are blocked too.