ARC required?

[Ripheus]

If I download STO from their website, it appears I am forced to use ARC, their creepy download manager and game service which no sane being would trust.

If I download via steam (a less creepy download manager and game service) will I still have to use ARC to run STO?

[Nonabelian]

No, I use steam to launch this game.

[Ripheus]

I just tried it and can confirm no arc. Thanks!

[PunkSteve]

hi m8, i just DLed what i assume is the launcher. do i need to sign-up for any other accounts ?

[KYSER]

When I got this almost 2 years ago I think arc didn't exist because I downloaded it from the website and I didn't have to download arc.

[[EH] Hitman]

Arc is not necessary whatsoever, you do get some free stuff for using it at least once though. The Khan costume from Wrath of Khan as an off duty outfit. I dled the arc launcher and used it exactly that once to claim my outfit and then deleted it.

Arc is certainly no worse than Origin, but the last thing I need is yet another game launcher/social gaming network.

[PunkSteve]

[EH] Hitman: thanks for the info, good to know i don't need the extra program :)
what about a Perfect World account ?? i saw a post about needing one

[[EH] Hitman]

Yes that you will need. Like every other MMO I've played that's where they keep track of what you've unlocked. Like new ships aquired through gameplay. Even if you use in game currency to aquire C-Store ships and never spend any real $ this is where that's kept track of. Annoying I know but ultimately necessary in an MMO.

[PunkSteve]

oh, ok cool :) thanks again 4 the info :)
i'm just gonna click Play & see what happens :)

[76561198146911178]

hello i cant play the game can you help me

[PunkSteve]

& whats the Cryptic Launcher ? do i need it ?

[Ratt]

To clarify: when the shady Arc launcher was introduced a while ago, the one on Steam was still usable and making an Arc account was optional. Now, if you try to download STO through Steam, you'll be told to make an Arc account and your Steam launcher will be too outdated to patch. Those who had the Steam launcher back when it wasn't verboten and kept it updated can continue using it. Those who had Cryptic or PWE accounts before Arc became mandatory can continue using those. But new players are required to use both.

Coming from a long-time player of STO, don't. PWE ruined it anyway. It wouldn't have been worth trying were the frontend not shady and Chinese, and it's definitely not worth trying now.

[PunkSteve]

Athgaar: ok, thanks for the info :) sorry i'm still unsure :( are u saying not 2 bother playing STO at all ?? :( thats a shame if u r, but if it's full of programs & log-ins i don't need then maybe i should just try a different MMO ? Rift looks cool :)
is the Glyph launcher/account the same as this Cryptic/PWE/Arc thing ??
thanks again 4 any & all answers

[Ripheus]

To clarify:
I just downloaded STO for the first time ever yesterday, from Steam. I was not required to download ARC. (I was required to make a perfect world account on the arc website, this did not force me to download ARC.)
I'm enjoying STO, though I can see it fraying at the seams from neglect from its new owners.

[PunkSteve]

Riley: yay, that totally was the answer i was waiting 4 :) cheers, m8 :) i was confused about the whole multiple sign-ins & all the posts about Arc (& how it sux) :(
so.....it's just sorta like how Rift needs a Glyph account ?

[Mico 789]

You can start STO directly without steam. The executable is found under the steam-folder: [Steam]\SteamApps\common\Star Trek Online\Star Trek Online.exe
You can directly double click this exe file or you make a shortcut to your desktop. it works fine, but your play time will not be recognized by steam.