Digital download vs Retail Box - your pick?

from Sins Forums

So due to the fact that I'm planning on a new system for the game, and because registration keys are not supported shared by Stardock, I guess I'm going to need to buy a new copy for that system.

I was wondering what the differences are between a digital download of SOASE and with the retail box. Will a digital download come with additional content like the tech poster and a manual found in the retail boxes?

I've stashed all my game boxes somewhere at home, I haven't seen them in about a year so god knows where they are. If current retail boxes still follow with some art or pretty manuals, I might have to consider that over a digital download, although the bundle is a very nice deal...

 

Your thoughts?

20,914 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

well, manual-wise, the box & the D/L are the same, as both will install a PDF version of the manual in the Progam Files root Sins directory.

The Retail Box doesn't come with a poster. That's the Collector's Edition. Retail out-of-the-box requires Impulse to patch to 1.17, D/L doesn't; however, the box allows you to set up a v1.05 and a v1.17/v1.03 Entrenchment install.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I'd go digital.  Saves S&H, and it doesn't exactly cost you anything.

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Yeah, I think I'm going for the digital Bundle pack :)

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Hang on, do you already have a copy?  Because you are allowed to install it on multiple systems.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

as started above, you can have multiple installs and up to two running concurrently on your LAN and still be within the EULA.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

So I don't have to buy a new copy for my new system then? That'd be awesome. I just read a topic a few days ago about a guy seeling his copy to his friend, but the key didn't seem to work or something so I thought I wasn't able to share a copy between more than one system.

 

Thanks!

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

since its your license it wont be an issue.  i have sins on a laptop and my desktop at home, plus my wife will run it on her desktop for lan games.  since we have a maximum of two installs running on my license at once within my lan, i beleive we are completely in agreement with the eula.  sd please correct me if im wrong.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

I am one of the more traditional people, meaning if I could get the boxed version, I tend to just get the boxed version instead of just getting a key from somewhere online.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Bram_Turismo, reply 6
So I don't have to buy a new copy for my new system then? That'd be awesome. I just read a topic a few days ago about a guy seeling his copy to his friend, but the key didn't seem to work or something so I thought I wasn't able to share a copy between more than one system.

 

Thanks!
End of Bram_Turismo's quote

LAN doesn't need a serial, so as long as you stick to that you'll be fine installing it on your other machines. If you want to get online with more than one machine at the same time, you will need additional copies of the game, though.

since we have a maximum of two installs running on my license at once within my lan, i beleive we are completely in agreement with the eula.  sd please correct me if im wrong.
End of quote

Nah, you're fine. They don't even mind if you install it for a big LAN party, as long as you remain honorable and uninstall it after :)

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

So I don't have to buy a new copy for my new system then? That'd be awesome. I just read a topic a few days ago about a guy seeling his copy to his friend, but the key didn't seem to work or something so I thought I wasn't able to share a copy between more than one system.
End of quote

No. your copy will be fine. You cannot transfer your license to someone else, but you can use it again for you new PC.

I'm not sure how boxed versions work, but I was under the impression that if you register your serial in Impulse you can get game updates. Maybe worth contacting someone from sales to see if that is correct (I might be wrong). You could then add Entrenchment - it's worth every penny.

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

Fuzzy you are right. I have boxed version, so.