Swapping from Steam to non-Steam client?

[Valkyrius]

Even though I've purchased FFXIV:ARR though Steam, is it possible to play the game though the non-Steam client?

I've heard some horror stories on the Steam forums and Reddit. Is it true that if I want to play the non-Steam version, I need to purchase a new copy of FFXIV:ARR through the SE store? I have been looking forward to ordering the physical Heavensward CE for weeks, only to hear that Steam doesn't accept codes or keys from the SE store. Should this info be correct, I'll never be purchasing content through Steam again.

So, if there is a way to play this game without Steam or purchasing a second copy, please let me know.

[reiichi]

The game will likely patch up all the Heavensward content, even if you haven't bought it. You should be fine getting the non-steam version.

...I'm not sure about payments though. ...are you paying through steam, or do you pay through the Mog Station?

[Keydah]

Is it true that if I want to play the non-Steam version, I need to purchase a new copy of FFXIV:ARR through the SE store? I have been looking forward to ordering the physical Heavensward CE for weeks, only to hear that Steam doesn't accept codes or keys from the SE store. Should this info be correct, I'll never be purchasing content through Steam again.

Yes. It's true. And the stuff about being unable to get a physical copy of Heavenward to work with a Steam version of ARR is true as well.

The game will likely patch up all the Heavensward content, even if you haven't bought it. You should be fine getting the non-steam version.

...I'm not sure about payments though. ...are you paying through steam, or do you pay through the Mog Station?

They won't be able to connect it to their existing account because the existing account is Steam and the physical expansion isn't Steam. They need to buy the basegame again and start over if they want to buy the physical CE of Heavensward.

[Velia]

But could you buy a non-Steam version of ARR and apply it to your existing account?
I'm hearing a lot of mixed info on this, some say you can, others say you'd have to start again with new characters (not a bloody option, seriously).

[reiichi]

Does the steam version not hook into Mog Station at all then? I'd assume that all SE service accounts still had to be registered there. And if that's the case, shouldn't it be possible to add the other codes as well? ...unless SE has stated this is impossible, I don't see why it owuldn't work.

[Keydah]

But could you buy a non-Steam version of ARR and apply it to your existing account?
I'm hearing a lot of mixed info on this, some say you can, others say you'd have to start again with new characters (not a bloody option, seriously).

Nope. You have to make a whole new account. It won't accept the key, as far as I've been told.

[Velia]

Nope. You have to make a whole new account. It won't accept the key, as far as I've been told.

Great. Just great. I feel like slapping Gaben so hard his rolls of fat would never stop jiggling.

[Valkyrius]

Well, this is rather disappointing and very frustrating. Not a fan of SE or Valve right now.

I'm guessing it has to do with DRM, which prevents an entire section of the community from purchasing the physical CE. Also, Steam's announcement fourms now states the following: "please keep in mind that you can only upgrade your Steam-version of A Realm Reborn via a Steam version of Heavensward – others just won’t do!"

[Renik]

There's an official steam message linked somewhere in the forums, it says that only steam expansion works with steam ARR, if you can link bot versions on your account and the game updates itself with the expansion data that could work, but it's not likely, there's always some kind of installation involved, and i don't use steam for ARR so i don't know if you can link PC and steam-PC codes to the same SE account.

Wait for an official response here, and if you don't get it, contact with SE support.

[Velia]

Well, this is rather disappointing and very frustrating. Not a fan of SE or Valve right now.

I'm guessing it has to do with DRM, which prevents an entire section of the community from purchasing the physical CE. Also, Steam's announcement fourms now states the following: "please keep in mind that you can only upgrade your Steam-version of A Realm Reborn via a Steam version of Heavensward – others just won’t do!"

It has to do with Valve's greed. They get a cut from all sales on Steam, so forcing people to buy the expansion through them guarantees them more money.
It's these consumer despising tactics that have made me loathe Valve.