Quickly following a significant program update, Image Space Incorporated’s rFactor 2 is now available on Valve’s Steam service.
Introductory offer…
Before we get into details, a promotion for rF2 will close in a few hours from now.
Until about 6PM today (7PM CET), rFactor 2’s off-line and ‘Lifetime Subscription’ packages are selling at a 40 percent discount.
The standalone rFactor 2 (Steam) is offered at a mere £14.39, €17.99 or $19.19 until this evening. Once the sale concludes, it will be listed at £23.99, €29.99, $31.99 or your regional equivalent. Comparable in all respects to the multi-player version, this edition can run AI races or for an annual fee, ‘expand’ to multi-player racing.
The Lifetime Subscription option provides on-line play too and carries a one-time cost. After that, there are no restrictions or additional fees! Today’s price of entry is £37.79, €47.99 or $50.99, which will become £62.99 once the promotion closes tonight.
As noted above, ISI has built a third option into its system – the Online Services Subscription. Already listed at its stock price without a discount, the fee is £8.99 (€10.99/$11.99). This subscription adds on-line to the rFactor 2 base package. It is a 1-year subscription that automatically renews at the end of the term.
For comparison, the current prices for the non-Steam version of rFactor 2 on rfactor.net are:
- $42.99 with 1 year on-line (renewal $12 per year)
- $84.99 Lifetime (no further payments)
Pre-Steam Users…
If you already own rFactor 2, you can stay with your current non-Steam package, purchase a new Steam version or, of course, migrate to Steam.
Should you choose to migrate your rF2 subscription, the original non-Steam copy will no longer be valid.
N.B. Upgrades will no longer be available. The revised subscription model is as described in the previous section: Standalone, Lifetime Subscription, Online Services Subscription.
For non-Steam Standard players, it is also important to recognise that any remaining on-line time will be lost when moving to Steam. This only applies to non-lifetime subs. ‘Standard’ rF2 members who wish to migrate to Steam must then chose between losing the remainder of the subscription, buying a new Steam copy or waiting until the renewal is due in order to minimise any lost time.
Migration…
It’s simple!
Enter the rFactor 2 e-mail and password on the Steam Transfer form, wait for the request to be processed and then use the Steam key by adding it to your account through the client’s Games menu (Activate a Product on Steam…).
Steam Activate Product Menu
rFactor 2 on Steam…
ISI created a Q and A in October that described the forthcoming move to Steam and outlined what rF2 would gain as it arrived on Valve’s network. Key differences include:
- Support for Steam Workshop as a single easy source for all ISI and third-party mods;
- Automatic updates of rFactor 2, including ‘official’ and modded content;
- Leagues can use the Steam Workshop to create a convenient content installation;
- Car settings will be saved to the Steam cloud;
- Integration with the Steam matchmaker for server discovery;
- Support for the Steam ‘Friends’ system to join games;
- Screenshots can easily be shared on Steam;
- Broadcast functionality allows live viewing of rF2 sessions;
- Streaming support (run rFactor 2 on one system and play on another);
- Steam Music Player support to listen to your favourite songs in your car and control the stereo;
- Steam Achievements and game statistics.
To see a suggestion of rFactor 2’s wide-ranging content, visit ISI’s Cars and Tracks pages or look at the compilation on the aforementioned Steam Workshop portal page.
You can keep up with all the latest rFactor 2 updates and news, here. Or check out the full rFactor 2 car list, and the rFactor 2 track list. Along with downloading the demo version for free via Steam, or buying rFactor 2 for the PC. The GTE class cars for rFactor 2 can all be found on Steam, here.
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