Buying Celeste
So... chances are, if you are reading this page, you're looking forward to getting a copy of Celeste. However, Celeste is available on several platforms and stores, and as such, it may be confusing to choose which one to buy. This guide aims to help you decide where you should buy Celeste.
The quick version
- For the most stable and most "free" Celeste experience, one which is not constrained by digital restrictions management or other artificial limitations, purchasing on itch.io is your best bet.
- For those whom want to be on the bleeding edge, having access to beta versions of Celeste, the Steam version of Celeste is best suited for you. However, this version is encumbered with digital restrictions management.
- For console gameplay, you should buy the version corresponding to your console, whether XBox, Playstation or Nintendo.
Itch.io
Itch.io is a website for users to host, sell and download indie games. Released in March 2013 by Leaf Corcoran, the service hosts nearly 100,000 games and items as of February 2018.[1] It notably hosts Celeste Classic and Celeste Classic 2, in addition to Celeste.
Advantages to buying on itch.io include:
- No launcher application is required to play
- No digital restrictions management
- You a set of binaries, which be used to install the game; it's that simple!
- The portable nature of the installation binaries makes it semi-portable
- Full support for all common operating systems including GNU/Linux
- Can be integrated with streaming services, such as Steam Remote Play
- Support the developers!
Disadvantages to buying on itch.io include:
- No access to beta versions of Celeste
- High price ($20 USD); Celeste never goes on sale and does not have regional pricing on itch.io.
- No automatic game library features; Celeste must be manually installed on every computer where it is desired.
Buying on itch.io is recommended for anyone who can spare the money needed to shell out a copy. However, for people requiring access to beta versions of Celeste, it is not recommended to buy the itch.io version.
Steam
Steam is a video game digital distribution service by Valve. It was launched as a standalone software client in September 2003 as a way for Valve to provide automatic updates for their games, and expanded to include games from third-party publishers. Steam has also expanded into an online web-based and mobile digital storefront.[2]
Advantages to buying on Steam include:
- Access to beta versions of Celeste (exclusive to Steam!)
- Full support for all common operating systems including GNU/Linux
- Native support for Steam Remote Play and other Steam-integrated features
- Often low price (75% off ($5 USD) is common); regional pricing can bring this closer to $1.
Disadvantages to buying on Steam include:
- Presence of digital restrictions management; game copies are not portable
- Steam is absolutely required in order to play
- Valve takes a 30% cut from profits (unlike itch.io, which takes 10%)
Buying on Steam is primarily recommended for people whom highly value access to beta versions of Celeste, or are otherwise unable to afford the itch.io version.
Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store is a digital video game storefront for Microsoft Windows and macOS, operated by Epic Games. It launched in December 2018 as both a website and a standalone launcher, of which the latter is required to download and play games. The storefront provides a basic catalog, friends list management, matchmaking, and other features.[3]
Advantages to acquiring Celeste on the Epic Games store include:
- It sometimes has been free before!
- No digital restrictions management
Disadvantages to buying on the Epic Games Store include:
- No support for GNU/Linux, or any operating system with a free software license.
- No access to beta versions of Celeste
It is generally not recommended to buy Celeste on the Epic Games Store, primarily since there is no GNU/Linux support; there is effectively no way of run the Epic Games Store version on unsupported operating systems.
