Steam sale vs FrontierStore - convert to Steam-free?

[crispience]

Elite Dangerous is currently on sale on Steam and I'm considering a second account to start the tutorial again with my friends.
However, I don't want to use the Steam version (my existing account is Steam-free).

1. Once I create a new Frontier account and link it to my Steam account, can I use my existing non-Steam install to log in and play?
(I realize I have to shuffle a few folders in AppData/Local and ~/Saved Games around; I have a script to do that and I won't be running the two accounts simultaneously)

2. I'd prefer to buy the second copy directly from the FrontierStore. FrontierDev: what about matching Steam's price until the end of the Steam Sale (Friday)?

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

it my guesstimation don't do it do not link your trouble free account to steam as once linked I doubt you will be able to login without all kinda hasttle after the april 25th fiasco where steam had hand bags at dawn basically over account control etc

When I login I see "Please purchase / redeem Elite Dangerous to continue" :: Frontier Customer Support

A message stating

support.frontier.co.uk

by the end youll wish you paid the extra

 

[crispience]

it my guesstimation don't do it do not link you trouble free account to steam as once linked I doubt you will be able to login without all kinda hasttle after the april 25th fiasco where steam had hand bags at dawn basically over account control etc

When I login I see "Please purchase / redeem Elite Dangerous to continue" :: Frontier Customer Support

A message stating

support.frontier.co.uk

Yes, I really don't want to link to Steam. I guess if I can't convert the Steam purchase to the non-Steam version or FDev doesn't match the sale, I'll just pass on this.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

something I have found a bit disconcerting is I just pretended to be a first time buyer, on the frontier store page it appears all links for purchase of the main game or horizons lead to steam
am I missing something here? where is the option to buy direct from the FD store exactly?

 

[Para Handy]

Yes, I really don't want to link to Steam. I guess if I can't convert the Steam purchase to the non-Steam version or FDev doesn't match the sale, I'll just pass on this.

You cannot play new Steam-purchased Elite Dangerous without being logged in to Steam.

Your old account is not affected, just since last April all Steam-bought versions require you to use Steam Log-In.

 

[Para Handy]

something I have found a bit disconcerting is I just pretended to be a first time buyer, on the frontier store page it appears all links for purchase of the main game or horizons lead to steam
am I missing something here? where is the option to buy direct from the FD store exactly?

Frontierstore (dot) net is still available.

Elite Dangerous - Frontier Store

An amazing space epic of breath-taking scope. Play on your own or be part of a remarkable multiplayer experience. With Elite Dangerous you carve your own path through the richest, largest gaming sandbox ever created, set against a backdrop of raw anarchy, galactic powerplays and intrigue.

www.frontierstore.net

Using elitedangerous.com is what links to Steam purchase - stupid innit.

Elite Dangerous: Deluxe Edition - Elite Dangerous

Elite Dangerous is the definitive massively multiplayer space epic, bringing gaming’s original open world adventure to the modern generation with a co...

www.elitedangerous.com

 

[Gully Foyle]

Not logged in, I can put the game in my cart at Frontier store. Net

If I log in I can see my downloads page with basic Ed,k horizons etc.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

ya I see .net an ya pretty dumb .com not also providing links to .net despite the price diff

 

[Gully Foyle]

ya I see .net an ya pretty dumb .com not also providing links to .net despite the price diff

Frontier still have both active so we still have a choice.
Not sneaky so much as just covering the bases for everyone, old and new.

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

Though they are almost identical, since April of last year, Steam now has it's own launcher. Thus if you bought a Steam version after April 25th 2019, the frontier launcher will no longer work on the Steams version.

 

[Ashnak]

Not logged in, I can put the game in my cart at Frontier store. Net

If I log in I can see my downloads page with basic Ed,k horizons etc.

If you want to buy a second CMDR from FD, you'll also need a second (third, fourth,...) email address.

 

[Gully Foyle]

I don't mind that for security

 

[Martind Forlon]

I really wonder why there is not any offical reply to this ... sigh

 

[Para Handy]

I really wonder why there is not any offical reply to this ... sigh

Reply to what?

The explanation of the situation to the OP's question 1 is clearly given, quoting official Frontier Support information.

Their second question is moot as there is no Steam sale of Elite at the moment and the question was time-limited anyway.

So what "official reply" are you looking for?

Maybe @Stephen Benedetti can pop in and answer your query.

 

[Martind Forlon]

Reply to what?

I mixed two things together, sorry (thread name have confused me) ... but on https://elitedangerous.com/ (which looks like NEW main ED pages) is possible buy ED only via steam, there is no link to FD own selling page (somewhat weird). Few years ago I was so happy when learned that I can run ED without steam, so I hope that option to have 'standalone ED launcher' will be valid also in the future.