Should I play this game through Steam?

[ShoneChello]

I've been playing through the WGC. But now that Wargaming accounts can be linked to Steam, should I switch to Steam?

[Jackson]

The WGC launcher is technically better. The only reasons to use Steam are...

You want to use Steam Funds
You want Steam achievements
You want to easily share screenshots on Steam with friends
You want to get the free DLC offered in the Steam store (assuming you didn't already collect it to another account on Steam ofc).
You want to collect Steam game cards.

uh that's all I can think of. The updates take several times longer. They are larger. If you have a fast PC and unlimited internet that's high speed that probably won't matter.

Lastly on big sale days such as Steam Summer Sale event or any time Steam's servers are having issues it may interfere with you being able to log into the game as it has problems handshaking with WG's servers. Those are fairly rare tho.

I've been a moderator here since the game came to Steam in 2017 and almost all problems players have logging in are related to Steam. That said I just switched mine to Steam. If I have a problem, I can download through the launcher in a few minutes and I like having all my games in one launcher.

[Ace42]

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

I've been playing through the WGC. But now that Wargaming accounts can be linked to Steam now, should I switch to Steam?

Jackson's pretty much nailed it.
Cons: Steam's update system isn't as efficient as WGs, so more downloading and stuff; Steam outages could potentially cause connectivity issues that don't apply to WGC logins; if you're used to WGC you might just prefer its functionality.
If you're not checking WGC splashpage regularly, you might miss out on news or promotions there that you'd otherwise see.

You can copy-and-paste your WGC installation into Steam's WoWS installation path, and Steam should automatically detect the game files, revalidate, repair, and save you some download, so that's not necessarily a negative issue, but I have had some issues doing that in the recent past, so YMMV.

Pros for running the game from Steam:
Better SteamUI integration (screenshots, live broadcasts, social features like friends seeing in-game activity, Steam achievements);
Convenience of having all your installations "in one place" - both in terms of as part of one service, and in terms of install locations, etc.

Pros for linking the game to Steam, and then using WGC or Steam client or alternating between the two as however takes your fancy:
Access to the Steam Store, its exclusive promotions, including its free stuff.

[Tommygun]

I occasionally get steam containers in my dockyard & possibly some other bonuses, not sure you get them with the WGC?

[ShoneChello]

Originally posted by Ace42:

Access to the Steam Store, its exclusive promotions, including its free stuff.

Yes, especially with stuff like Steam-chan.

Originally posted by Tommygun:

I occasionally get steam containers in my dockyard & possibly some other bonuses, not sure you get them with the WGC?

You’re right, only steam users can get these rewards.

One more question: will this game pollute my inventory with promotions and stuff?

[mono_wolf]

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

Originally posted by Ace42:

Access to the Steam Store, its exclusive promotions, including its free stuff.

Yes, especially with stuff like Steam-chan.

I have one more question though: will this game pollute my inventory with promotions and stuff?
:os_niko:

you mean like "pop up" ads? Nope.
There is a separate section that you can read any news that WG has for WoW.

[ShoneChello]

Originally posted by mono_wolf:

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

Yes, especially with stuff like Steam-chan.

I have one more question though: will this game pollute my inventory with promotions and stuff?

you mean like "pop up" ads? Nope.
There is a separate section that you can read any news that WG has for WoW.

I was asking whether or not coupons, rental ships, or other promotions will appear in my inventory. (not trading cards though, I’m completely fine with them)

The reason I asked this is because I was looking through the negative reviews and found this: https://steamcommunity.com/id/captsteffo/recommended/552990/

[mono_wolf]

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

Originally posted by mono_wolf:

you mean like "pop up" ads? Nope.
There is a separate section that you can read any news that WG has for WoW.

I was asking whether or not coupons, rental ships, or other promotions will appear in my inventory. (not trading cards though, I’m completely fine with them)

The reason I asked this is because I was looking through the negative reviews and found this: https://steamcommunity.com/id/captsteffo/recommended/552990/
:os_niko:

As I remember, you will be notified of new coupons via email and you will be able to see them on your WG account under "My coupons" as it mentioned here:
https://wargaming.net/support/en/products/wows/article/10208/

oh and that person on the link you provided saying about getting ads, for me I haven't see any

[christof]

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

Originally posted by mono_wolf:

you mean like "pop up" ads? Nope.
There is a separate section that you can read any news that WG has for WoW.

I was asking whether or not coupons, rental ships, or other promotions will appear in my inventory. (not trading cards though, I’m completely fine with them)

The reason I asked this is because I was looking through the negative reviews and found this: https://steamcommunity.com/id/captsteffo/recommended/552990/
:os_niko:

There's the occasional promotion material from WoWs landing in your inventory. If you don't have anyone to give it to, there is a thread here in the forum where you can request it being removed again.

Doesn't pop up often anyway, though. At least not for me.

[Wolfswetpaws]

I've use the Wargaming-Center installation for several years.
This month (March 2025), I added and linked a Steam account version of World of Warships.

Why?
Because I wanted to get Commander Steam-chan added to my game experience.
Commander Steam-chan seems to only be available via Steam, as of this writing.

There seems to be some exclusive or incentive content provided via Steam that the normal Wargaming-Center interface does not provide.

Game-play speeds (frame-rate and ping/lag) seem similar.

I can see no down-side to playing World of Warships via Steam, at the time of this writing.

Sincerely,
Wolfswetpaws

[ShoneChello]

I think I'll go with the steam version. I'll mark this thread as answered, but I feel like I'm going to have trouble doing that because there are several good responses here.

[Jackson]

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

I think I'll go with the steam version. I'll mark this thread as answered, but I feel like I'm going to have trouble doing that because there are several good responses here.
:os_niko:

It's no big deal. You can go back and forth. If you decide you don't really like Steam, just go back to the other one. Same account, same company, doesn't matter what launcher anymore.

[tonan3]

sadly its a hard to add your existing account so it plays the ships you already have .. so i wont play via steam

[mono_wolf]

Originally posted by tonan3:

sadly its a hard to add your existing account so it plays the ships you already have .. so i wont play via steam

It's not that hard, just follow up the guide that WG is providing in their website, that's what I did.

JUST be aware that any DLCs you got on Steam, won't transfer into your old account if you link it with Steam.

But I emailed WG Support on that matter and waiting for a reply (they have a lot of emails to answer so it will take some time)