Steam FFXI Purchase + Non Steam FFXI

If I were to purchase Final Fantasy XI from steam for 10$. Would I be able to use the add on expansion codes so I could somehow download the mini expansions for my already installed NA PC version of the game?

Or would the expansion codes be specific to those on steam and no way of downloading the add ons or something?

Idk the answer to your question, but my friend is from your country and Steam told her it was not available in her region.

I bought the steam version just for the add ons. Right clicking on the game in steam and clicking "Show game CD key" allows you to see the code just like you would get in the box. I entered the codes through my normal install and they worked, I played for a few hours then logged out. But the next time I tried to play my normal(non-steam) install, it would not start up. I clicked the icon, but nothing was happening. I'm not sure, but I was thinking it was because I used the steam codes, and the only way to be sure was to re-install the whole game. So I decided since I was gonna do a full install either way, I would just let steam handle it.(which took forever btw =P)

In short, you do get a CD key/activation code, but I think it locks you into using the steam version of FFXI.

It doesn't lock you into using the steam version. I bought it from Steam and dl'd the steam version on my laptop. But used the cd keys and regularly play on my desktop. It's the same thing if you actually bought the CDs from the store.

So just to be sure. >_> I can buy the version from steam and NOT have to download anything, correct? Just nab the code and be on my way? I'd really just buy it for a Nexus cape and the expansions...really don't feel like downloading anything again. @_@

I just downloaded the steam thing for a new laptop and I have the cd key thingy open.. but do I enter that for like just the ACP expanded service and then it'll activate all 3 and give me the cape? or is there somewhere else I need to enter it?

thank you in advance

Once you use the CD key for one expansion pack (pick any and enter it normally), you'll also be asked after if you want to use that CD key and register all unregistered services, hit yes and voila~

awesome! steam download worked very nicely btw to anyone thinkinga bout getting it

Anyone has experience uninstalling Steam?

I'm tempted to get the code through Steam, but a bit wary unless I can be sure it'd be easy to wipe Steam's junk off my computer.

I did, isn't hard, just do normal uninstall, then you can find FFXI in your program files. It's how I did it.

Steam is awesome like that, they don't leave ***all over your computer, and leaving Steam running 24/7 has no noticeable effect on performance. If you really don't want it all you have to do is uninstall, no muss, no fuss, no cleanup required.

Anyhow, I can't not buy this at $11 to get the mini-expansions, but my question is is there any way to get the reg keys without installing the game through Steam?

Steam is brilliant. Digital distribution is the future of the gaming industry. It arguably already is: retail outlets like GameStop are only managing to stay in business due to the used game market. Steam has quietly taken over most of the digital distribution market for PC's... and thankfully they've done it in a way that isn't nasty and intrusive like all the other copy-protection schemes. It's at the point where I couldn't recommend someone not use it.


Nope. The lack of work-arounds, without relying on invasive software, is why Steam is so attractive to the industry. Even if you somehow managed to get the keys, the keys must be activated through Steam login and the key-locked content downloaded through their client to be usable.

The ONE, and I do mean ONE, downside to Steam is that they're still allowing certain games to be downloaded through their service complete with SecuROM, arguably the most invasive piece of filth to ever infect the gaming market.

Seriously? Okay, that's not cool. I was under the impression that part of Steam's vendor agreements meant publishers couldn't include their own invasive copy protection.

I bought BloodBowl on Steam the other day, and had to install SecuROM, was more than a little pissed off.

Yes, they've got so much market share simply because it's such a clean, easy system. It's been a looong time since I've bought a game through something that's not Steam, and I've even got to the point where if a game isn't on Steam, I'll just wait until it is.

So, having purchased the game through Steam, even if I could get the keys it wouldn't let me enter them in POL unless POL itself were launched through Steam? I find that hard to believe, TBH. I just want to avoid downloading the game a second time, likely breaking my current install in the process, and then having to set everything back up again.

edit: I just opened a ticket with Steam about it, let's see if there's any way to avoid the whole redownload/reinstall fiasco.

I had to dl another copy and just to get another set of keys, I had to download steam on my oldcomputer with my 2nd bought ffxi ultimate edition.. I had to start the installation process to 1% or whatever and then pause it and then it let me look up the cd keys, then I uninstalled

I personally bought the game through Steam and had no problem using the key on my current account. I don't think you need to use the steam version to activate. However, you do need to at least start the installation of the game to get the CD key, don't need to even download the rest. You can just uninstall the game from Steam afterward. Just make sure to back up your FFXI regedit info before you beforehand though.

Ahh, misunderstood you, and forgot that POL has its own keys for unlocking expansion content.

I have no idea how that works. It's possible you could just right-click the game in Steam, select "Get Keys" or whatever, and those would be the ones to enter into POL.

Usually though, Steam game expansion content works by having the download itself tied to a Steam key. But then again, SE isn't a Western company... they could have a totally different agreement with them.

You have to start the download in Steam before you can get the "CD code".

* * *

Anyway, a total tangent, but what's so bad about SecuROM itself?

You could start here. It's fairly bad news, doubly bad because it can't be uninstalled.

Well, you -can- get rid of it, it's just a huge pain in the ***, and also makes your SecuROM-infested games unplayable unless you reinstall it.

That only works if the game's DRM was designed with Steam in mind, or later re-tooled for the same. I would imagine this would only be the case if the publisher only ever planned to tie licensing to Steam and Steam alone. If it hasn't, then Steam simply allocates you a key from a pool of keys given to them by the game's publisher.

Fun Fact: Steam has been running some sales recently [you should check it out, friggin sweet deals] and they've actually "sold out" at least once because they ran out of license keys.

If i were to get steam FFXI, would I be able to steam chat my steam friends?

Edit: Via steam overlay

also, would i have to re-install everything? or would it work with the current FFXI i have installed?

You could Steam the Steam Steam with your Steam friends and Steamy Steam SteamSteam as well. Steam.

AFAIK if you launch it from steam you can do the overlay, but someone's who's using FFXI via Steam should be able to say for sure.

Also, it says right on the Steam page for FFXI that you have to completely uninstall FFXI/POL before installing the Steam version. Having both will break your original install, if not the Steam install as well.

If it comes down to it I would say to back up your ROM folders, uninstall vanilla FFXI/POL, download FFXI through Steam, restore ROM folders, start game. It would be nice if S/E furnished Steam with current game files, but you STILL have to do the whole 8+ hour update thing after the installation.

Personally, if I don't get a satisfactory response from Steam Support regarding the reg keys I'm going to do the Steam install on a different computer, get the keys, and then blow it away. [props to whoever mentioned this first, cuz I don't remember who]

Thanks

So can I d/l this for my hubby's xbox? Trying to figure this out but not going so good lol

You could dload it, to get the reg keys.
Then log onto his account, use the reg keys to give his acct expansion access.

I bought a 360copy of Wings at launch and used the reg key on my PC.

ty thats pretty much what I want it for we have everything just need the mini's lol and ugh I just read I would have to uninstall my FF to get it for me too blah might as well just go pay the 30 bucks instead of all that hassel

I got tired of waiting for Steam to reply and started downloading the game on a spare computer. BUT! As soon as you start the download you can then right-click the game in Steam and get the Reg Code. So long as you don't complete the download and launch the game from Steam it shouldn't break your existing install. [theoretically]