I’m playing on pc and currently debating whether to pre-order FH6 on Steam or the Microsoft Store, and I’m trying to understand if there are any meaningful differences between the two options.
I personally don’t really like using Steam, but if there are clear benefits to buying the game there I’m willing to pre-order on steam.
A few specific things I’m trying to figure out:
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Xbox Play Anywhere:
Does this only work if you buy the game through the Microsoft Store?
Or would it also work if I buy the Steam version? i currently don’t own an Xbox Series X|S, but id like to have the option to use the play anywhere feature incase i ever do get one
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Discounts and DLC pricing:
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Are discounts usually the same on Steam and the Microsoft Store?
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When new car packs or expansions release later, do prices tend to drop earlier on one platform compared to the other?
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Any extra benefits or differences:
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Pros and cons of each platform?
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Extra rewards, features, or bonuses depending on where you buy it?
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Anything related to updates, stability, modding restrictions, or account linking?
Basically I’m trying to decide which platform makes more sense long-term before I commit to the pre-order.
If you play on a good PC and don’t intend on getting a console, get Steam I’d say.
If you have a slightly worse PC, and think that you will get a console in the next 5 or so years, I’d go with Microsoft.
It depends. Do you play on Steam or Microsoft more?
Overall, I’d go with Microsoft, because you can play on either platform.
Microsoft and steam have reasonably similar discounts and about the same amount of them.
Other than that, there aren’t many reasons to not go with either one
go with steam.
even though i myself buy my games on ms store (since i’m on console), i’d go for steam if i had the chance. there are plenty of sales per year and i think you could score the game/dlcs and add-ons (when they come) for a good price.
it depends on your platform, though.
I normally buy on Steam but as I had enough MS reward points I got it for free through the MS store.
It really doesn’t matter that much where you get it from as discounts will be similar.
MS Store gets updates before steam, particularly in the rushed bug fixes post launch. Store gets it first as Xbox gets serviced first. PC rides along for free.
Steam will give better granular car pack pricing. i.e. if you by a few car packs on the MS Store, when they release ALL CAR PACKS COMBINED you won’t get discounts for any already purchased car packs within the combined. On Steam you do get discounted.
Currently you can get the MS Store version pretty cheap (relatively) on ■■■■■■\loaded dot com. I picked up the full fat flavour for €80 which is better than the sticker price on steam of €119.99.
I don’t see much point in getting the Steam version. Maybe it has more discounts but I can’t say for sure.
With the Microsoft version you get play anywhere, which I believe is not available on the steam version, and if you’re pre-ordering anyways, might as well get that extra value. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Also the Microsoft version works great with my universal launcher (GoG Galaxy). Steam games work but are a bit of a faff.
i do have a great pc and im not planning to buy an xbox in the near future but as another user said:
as for the play anywhere. are yall certein that its only for ms store? is that confirmed?
what do you mean by that?
Which ever one you choose.. 1st I’d recommend not to use Win 11 for gaming, I personally stays on Win 10 22H2 with 19045.3208 July 2023 update and just blocked the newer ones from updating as I don’t need them, combine and customize them into Win 10 lite version for gaming with msmg toolkit..
I already pre-ordered the FH6 Base Game MS Store version last month, as for the reasoning why I decided to buy the Standard version was because I’m not really interested in the car pack DLC included in the Premium version and I also don’t want any Lego’s or Hot Wheels exp packs, I’d rather buy them separately even though I might ended up in buying them more expensive than the Premium version..
I’m also thinking about buying the Steam version later on this year (when they’re having thanks giving or year-end sale as low as 50-75% discounts) as FH6 have cross-saved feature so I don’t have to start over.. especially my main focus when playing is making paint wrap liveries .. I might need the Steam version if I decided to change my OS..
The only difference that I know with the MS version is shareable up to 10 devices, so it can be play with 10 different Xbox profiles with another 9 different devices (including Xbox console) apart from my PC, currently I’m playing FH5 with 4 of my nephews, I don’t know if this “shareable feature” also available for Steam version..
I hope that helps you deciding which one you’re going to buy.. 
@Itamar_e7237 You may want to factor this into your decision-making: According to “Forza H6 Buy Get Terms & Conditions”, you should get an Xbox gift card within 35 days of the game’s launch if you pre-order either the Premium Edition or the Premium Upgrade Bundle directly from the Microsoft Store. However, only residents of certain countries are eligible, and the phrase “while supplies last” appears in the first paragraph. There is a separate topic about this promotion if you’re interested: $5 gift card when pre-ordering Premium Edition