So, in the end no physical CE for Steam? Explain please?

[YMeAgain]

Title says all based on the sticky post :/

Any explanation on why Steam players are locked out of the physical CE? What's the difference dev-wise from the Steam version and the Standard PC (EDIT: download) version?

Would make me happy to hear a response from devs...because I would've bought the physical CE had I been able to. Pretty sure other Steam players would as well.

[Orspeth]

Forgive me if I am not understanding - isn't Steam a dload thing to begin with? I have a lot of games on there, but not this one - and never had to get a hard copy. Is it a better price on Steam btw?Bit broke, but hoping to get more than the base...

[YMeAgain]

Forgive me if I am not understanding - isn't Steam a dload thing to begin with? I have a lot of games on there, but not this one - and never had to get a hard copy. Is it a better price on Steam btw?Bit broke, but hoping to get more than the base...

Technically yes, it is a download. But the way the boxed CE works is that if you bought the digital download from SE store, and acquire a physical CE from them for Heavensward, it will work. But the physical CE from SE will NOT work with a Steam version. In addition it looks like from Bayhone's sticky post, we're only going to be able to get the digital items. Which I find to be disappointing.

Not sure about the prices for you, the standard edition on Steam is about $20, while digital CE for ARR is $40. Also if problems arise like this again, its probably better to just buy it from SE directly.

[worldofneil]

Because for whatever reason they're treating Steam version and non-Steam as different products and Steam doesn't do physical copies of things, download only.

Not saying I agree with it at all, I don't think it's fair how they're doing it, but that is unfortunately how they're doing it.

[Sakuraluna]

It could be something or other on Steam's end that SE doesn't have a lot of control over, because I'm sure they'd love to sell the CE's. This is one major reason why I refuse to use Steam for MMO's, because once you get the base game on Steam, you've pretty much locked yourself into steam for future updates and expansions, and they don't sell physical copies. I'm the sort that has to have some form of physical backup anyways.

[Orphan_Benn]

Because for whatever reason they're treating Steam version and non-Steam as different products and Steam doesn't do physical copies of things, download only.

Actually quite a few PC games came with a disk and a steam key, (one which immediately springs to mind for me is Warhammer 40kawn of War 2also the Orange box did it) so yes Steam, or more correctly some game companies, do use Steam keys as well as disks together.

[Yuki_Tokita]

Because, its Steam. There is a reason why people don't use Steam, this is one of them.

[Mrfox0707]

Because STEAM only deals with downloads.

[tocsin]

from the FAQ sticky:

I bought and play FFXIV: A Realm Reborn on Steam. Do I need to purchase Heavensward on Steam to upgrade my account?

Global: Yes, you do as the Steam and Windows versions of A Realm Reborn have different play entitlements. The registration code that comes with the purchase of the Steam version of FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn is a Steam-specific play entitlement. If you purchased the game via Steam and set up your service account using the Steam-included code then you cannot use a non-Steam version of Heavensward to add the expansion to your existing account.

Essentially, the way steam handles its product codes, you cannot import a non steam version of the expansion, and install it on top of the steam version of FFXIV. the product code would not integrate with steam, and therefore would not integrate with the service account.

[Rinuko]

Buy a normal copy of arr and problem solved