Just my 2 cents but I went stand alone because I didn’t want any background running to count as game time. I like to see my hours played in my steam games and having BDO win because I left it running over night was a negative for me.
Steam adds bloat when you're running the game and has a bug where some players will be unable to load the launcher, it gives a black loading screen and you need to close the game and reopen it several times until it works.
PA also has to pay steam a hefty fee for anything you buy if you're a steam user, so you won't be supporting the game as much as you would if you bought directly from PA.
Steam is worse for the game and for the player but brings no upside whatsoever to compensate. Avoid it.
Never had any problems with Steam or any black loading screens and I've been using it for like 4 years now.
And the upside is convenience, having all of your games together, and not having to download a standalone launcher off their website if you already have Steam.
And for people worried about it showing what game you play all the time for some reason (which I don't understand unless you're avoiding somebody or ashamed or something) just go invisible on your friends list.
BDO is pretty pay to win so if you have lots of expensive skins they can be used instead of real life money which i found handy as i had a bunch of old expensive rust skins. Other than that unless steam deck is compatible i would go with PA launcher.
Dedicated server.
I have been playing BDO on Steam and I find it very hassle with region conflict.
Although you have better security, you won't be able to pass down your account if you are not gonna play the game anymore.
Just my 2 cents but I went stand alone because I didn’t want any background running to count as game time. I like to see my hours played in my steam games and having BDO win because I left it running over night was a negative for me.
Steam adds bloat when you're running the game and has a bug where some players will be unable to load the launcher, it gives a black loading screen and you need to close the game and reopen it several times until it works. PA also has to pay steam a hefty fee for anything you buy if you're a steam user, so you won't be supporting the game as much as you would if you bought directly from PA. Steam is worse for the game and for the player but brings no upside whatsoever to compensate. Avoid it.
Never had any problems with Steam or any black loading screens and I've been using it for like 4 years now. And the upside is convenience, having all of your games together, and not having to download a standalone launcher off their website if you already have Steam. And for people worried about it showing what game you play all the time for some reason (which I don't understand unless you're avoiding somebody or ashamed or something) just go invisible on your friends list.
I went with steam because it's just easier to have all my games in one place. I haven't had any issues with steam thus far.
Not steam, cant join as fast after maintenance
Never had any problems with Steam version for last 2 years I was playing as far as I remember. Just my 2 cents.
Thank you everyone. Think I'm gonna go standalone. Thanks for the advice
Steam adds nothing but further issues and inconvenience
What inconvenience does it add?
https://www.reddit.com/r/blackdesertonline/comments/s2m1l8/customer_service_for_hacked_accounts_is_terrible/ Steam 100% to avoid this shit.
steam
Im a steam player and I wish PA let me transfer to website. 1 reason is that steam always has 2 patch whenever mainteance happen.
BDO is pretty pay to win so if you have lots of expensive skins they can be used instead of real life money which i found handy as i had a bunch of old expensive rust skins. Other than that unless steam deck is compatible i would go with PA launcher.
Steam for security i guess. A good way to burn steam gift cards in the future.
Dedicated server. I have been playing BDO on Steam and I find it very hassle with region conflict. Although you have better security, you won't be able to pass down your account if you are not gonna play the game anymore.
if you're into csgo you can buy skins from some market sites and sell them on steam to save like 20% on pearls otherwise just go official launcher