I've bucked and kicked and resisted relinquishing control of my PC to spyware (STEAM) for so many years...

But after the hours of aggravation with an MS Account / Gamepass nonsense, I decided to reconsider my stance and choose the lesser of 2 evils:  STEAM.

Is it a mistake?  What are your thoughts about STEAM vs Gamepass?  What pros/cons are there for each - especially as they relate to MS 2024?

Any/all thoughts are appreciated - thanks in advance! 

 

This was discussed ad nauseum here a while back, you could search those threads and find lots of info, and a lot of it is still relevant to MSFS2024 etc. etc. even though it's a couple of years old, because '24 appears to have the same purchase methods.

I think the consensus was that there isn't any consensus, maybe that Steam is slightly less troublesome.  Initially with the Store (you call it "Gamepass") there were more issues updating, but that was somewhat solved in recent years, and that is my experience too.  Personally I have the Store version and find the MS Account stuff to be a big bother.  But then again I hear about problems with Steam too.

There is also another possible issue that was discussed here in recent months, in that if you have Steam or Store for MSFS2020, and you switched to the opposite for MSFS2024, would you still have access to your purchased Marketplace items?  I can't remember if the question was answered or not, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to answer it.

2 hours ago, Cavemanhead said:

PC to spyware (STEAM) for so many years...

Steam is not Spyware. That's nonsense.

Edited September 24, 20241 yr by Tuskin38

I've been on Steam since the last ice age and never had a problem. It's as hassle free as can be - this is my experience, mind you - and I like the way it's organized. I can also easily change locations where something should be installed. Even when changing PCs (I finally got me a new PC just for this MSFS obsession of mine a few years back) and reinstalling from Steam was really simple. It will also keep scores/achievements/levels/pizza slices in the cloud so you lose nothing. On the other hand, you can uninstall a game if you are short on space and then reinstall it again when you wish. It remains in your library. And yes, I did buy the premium deluxe version of MS2020 through Steam. 🙂 

A short recap: Easy and convenient. Buy, install, play. 🙂

 

Steam. Doesn't mysteriously lose your settings like the MS Store/GamePass does.

 

I don't think there is a ton of difference between the Store version or Steam. Therefore I would stick to same version you have in 2020 for your 2024. Change is very risky, in my view.

Consider the Xbox console version right now of 2020. Every package, including the sim itself, bought from the Steam marketplace will not carry over to the Console version. Because the console version is only sold through MS, not through Steam. Everything bought from the PC desktop MS marketplace or from MS PC store will carry over right now free onto the console version.

To me that's a clue about cross platforming, between 2020 and 2024. But only a clue.

I've used Steam for years, and used it for 2020 - all this time I've had no issues.

My predicament is that I would like to make use of my gamepass subs this time, use the free Standard version and hope my steam prem deluxe content is transferable.

 

Same applies to anything bought through the 2020 marketplace/steam. 

Edited September 24, 20241 yr by hanhamreds

Steam all the way. If possible I buy everything on Steam: very convenient and very reliable. (Great refund option too if you are into trying more games.)

I recommend to visit this thread where this question is pondered, weight and answered many times.
Short: Both are fine but it is recommended to use the same store where you purchased MSFS2020 since the items bought through the in-game Marketplace do not migrate between the two.

Got Steam since FSX. During SU5 times, Steam was more hassle-free than MS*, so I went there. Now, I'll keep with them because of my Marketplace purchases.

*I understand both are equally hassle-free now.

10 hours ago, Tuskin38 said:

Steam is not Spyware. That's nonsense.

Agree.  I've been using steam since before steam existed (counterstrike / TFC days).  It's a stable platform and well organized.  

Only had one issue with an update in the four year's of the store version. Plus by buying from MS, i get the sim on both the PC and Xbox X

Edited September 24, 20241 yr by Car147

I’ve never really had an issue with Steam over the years but the few times I’ve had to use the Microsoft store I’ve had a lot of issues with download stability and just general functionality.  

I'm another Steam User who  has never had any problems since release of MSFS 2020