All,

I would appreciate your advice and guidance. I'm keen to purchase FS2020, but before doing so would it best to get the Steam or MS Store version?

My understanding is Steam offers fewer issues when it comes to updates, and I would imagine addon's from the steam store(?).

However, we will be purchasing third party addon's, specifically when it comes to military aircraft. With this in mind, would the MS Store version be best to get, or does the Steam version offer the same versatility to install most if not all third party addon's too?

Also, where is a good site to get military addon's please and is the English Electric Lightning available?

Many thanks in advance,

JC

Edited February 13, 20233 yr by jcrider

I was on Gampass (the MS Store) until I realized that the only game I played was MSFS so I bought it on Steam when it was on sale.

I haven't noticed an issue. As a bonus, Friday's Xbox outage didn't affect Steam users, so that was a bonus.

The one caution I have is purchases made on Marketplacec on MS Store do not transfer over to the Steam version. So, pick one and stick with it.

Addons, etc. all work fine between the two. The folder structure is different, but usually folks list both the MS and Steam version in the instructions.

Just a passing note. Marketplace does not usually sell warbirds with exposed weapons, whereas the developer's website will in most cases not only display them, but animate them somewhat. Also any updates are generally quicker on seller's websites than on the marketplace. Just a couple of notes to be aware of. Good hunting...

The marketplace rules require any military hardware be removed. This includes ordinance, guns and also gunsights. The most you are allowed is drop tanks.

Buying direct from the developer or from a store like Orbx or just Flight will ensure you get full functionality of the addon. 

The other advantage of a store like Orbx is it is curated. They do check the addons for at least basic functionality and quality before accepting them. The marketplace is NOT curated and hence some real rubbish goes up for sale.

Thank you for the replies, it is very much appreciated.

Sorry for my own understanding, when you say 'marketplace' do you mean the Steam marketplace?  If so, then buying the MS Store version of FS2020 means we can then buy plane addons with hardware ordnance included - and potentially functioning?

Thank you again!

No, he means the Microsoft marketplace.

Edited February 14, 20233 yr by Christopher Low

2 hours ago, jcrider said:

Thank you for the replies, it is very much appreciated.

Sorry for my own understanding, when you say 'marketplace' do you mean the Steam marketplace?  If so, then buying the MS Store version of FS2020 means we can then buy plane addons with hardware ordnance included - and potentially functioning?

Thank you again!

The in-game store on both platforms is the Microsoft Marketplace.

10 hours ago, Glenn Fitzpatrick said:

This includes ordinance, guns and also gunsights. The most you are allowed is drop tanks.

I’ve definitely got gunsights in some flying iron aircraft, 

The advantage with marketplace (for some of us) is that you get the content in both your pc and Xbox whereas steam/direct firm the dev etc only gives you the pc version. 
 

Marketplace updates are also far slower than from the Dec or orbx etc, 

Whether marketplace or Steam is secondary for your question.

More important is where you buy your 3rd party add-ons. Buy the addons from 3rd party stores and you're fine regardless where you bought the sim itself.

 

If you buy the sim on steam and you then purchase something in the inbuilt marketplace, the developers get a smaller percentage of the paid price. Thats something many dont know.

3 hours ago, BrammyH said:

The in-game store on both platforms is the Microsoft Marketplace.

Super, thank you. I had no idea.

 

2 hours ago, MarioDonick said:

Whether marketplace or Steam is secondary for your question.

More important is where you buy your 3rd party add-ons. Buy the addons from 3rd party stores and you're fine regardless where you bought the sim itself.

 

Thanks Mario, but weapons will not appear in the steam version?  Or, because they are third party addons they will?

 

32 minutes ago, mrueedi said:

If you buy the sim on steam and you then purchase something in the inbuilt marketplace, the developers get a smaller percentage of the paid price. Thats something many dont know.

Yes that's true, but from all I read as a user you have fewer update issues with the steam version

 

 

I'm leaning towards the steam version, but if weapons don't feature then the MS Store version seems best for my situation (?)

Just now, jcrider said:

Thanks Mario, but weapons will not appear in the steam version?  Or, because they are third party addons they will?

There is no functional difference between the Steam and Microsoft Store version, other than where you install it from.

Both the Steam and MS Store version have the in-game Marketplace. That marketplace, on Steam and MS Store versions, has the restrictions around military hardware mentioned above.

To get the ordinance, you will need to buy the aircraft directly from the developer. Both versions use a Community folder where you drag in 3rd party addons.

To sum: it doesn't matter where you buy MSFS from. It does matter where you buy the add-on.

3 minutes ago, BrammyH said:

There is no functional difference between the Steam and Microsoft Store version, other than where you install it from.

Both the Steam and MS Store version have the in-game Marketplace. That marketplace, on Steam and MS Store versions, has the restrictions around military hardware mentioned above.

To get the ordinance, you will need to buy the aircraft directly from the developer. Both versions use a Community folder where you drag in 3rd party addons.

To sum: it doesn't matter where you buy MSFS from. It does matter where you buy the add-on.

Oh wow thank you so much I had the wrong end of the stick.  Steam seems the most sensible way to go then.

Thank you all for your very helpful replies, it's greatly appreciated! 🙂