ZackG, if Steam goes out of business they already said they would let people download games with a steam offline patch.  On top of that, Vladimir can always just make a non-Steam version or other client version later. 

All software is a limited license anyway

I will not use SE with internet connection.

You can play ANY game that uses Steam OFFLINE. It does not affect the game in any way, aside from having temporary non-access to online achievements. Trust me on this, Steam is THE best place for Space Engine, for all the reasons SpaceEngineer outlined above and more. In light of the game concept as presented on this forum, Steam would fit the bill as an ideal gaming and social platform for it. 

Please I have a question that needs clarification. When the new version of SE 0.9.9.0 is released, will it be able to be downloaded from the SE website or just only on steam? I’m not a gamer and am not on steam. I personally use it in its current form “planetarium”, for exploration in which it suites me quite well, and to illustrate on how the universe works to others. As an amateur Astronomer for more than four decades now, SE is quite a remarkable program, which I could have only dreamed and wished for many many years ago.
 
I do believe when it’s finally released, it will be worth it. For those that wish the SpaceEngineer would release it early! There are some old sayings, and that is. Patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait. I found these sayings to be very true in life, especially for me.    

IMHO I dont like the idea that SE is strictly for Steam. I have had bad experience with the community there. And to top that off the client is a DRM machine that depends on a centralized system. I for one think that this was a bad move, Vlad. I oppose all forms of DRM that I see today. and that includes requiring a constant connection, rootkit installation and requiring an account to play it. That is why I buy most of my game from GOG to counter Steam's atrocities. Plus they own much of the PC gaming industry as much as 75%. They are definitely a monopoly to my standards and we need more competition and a De-centralized system in case Steam fails. When valve goes broke in 20 years,you can kiss your games goodbye

Steam allows offline installation. You can just start downloading the game, then abort it, copy the whole game folder from another computer, then start steam and play.

Yes but you require the client to launch it. Thats what bothers me. My belief is that when you buy a game, that copy is your and you can back it up in a CD or a thumb drive in case you have to reinstall Windows. with Steam, you need to download the client and download said game And to top that off, they reserve the right to terminate your account for no reason or warning. And you are basically "renting" the game under their whim.

It is for these reasons I am morally against Steam itself. Steam being used as one of several platforms for SE, I'd be all for it, but I too am admittedly leery of Steam exclusivity, but will probably go along with it. I have Steam, but I rarely use it cuz I usually keep my pc offline for personal reasons. I'd have no problem budgeting and paying for SE itself, I did it with Universe Sandbox long ago.

Also, Vladimir has been very open since the very beginning all those years ago that SE will definitely be payware at some point. So when people complain about SE going paid, they are ignoring years' worth of advance notice.

a

Just to give my two cents here.
I think it is logical for SE and Space Engineer to get tied with a big gaming & software distribution platform at that point in time.
I am also in agreement (and that is my personal opinion) that people's frustration with Steam is also justified. I would very much have prefered an alternate independent solution. But it is not me or anybody elses choice. It is not our creation. It is Vladimirs. And he has every right to do whatever he wants with it.
I also have some more specific questions since SE is moving to Steam:
Now I always keep a 2nd exactly identical installation of SE on a separate physical HD. Every time I exit the simulation (especially when I am controling spacecrafts) I make a copy of the config folder to that drive. That way if the game crashes on my next run I can copy-paste back that config folder and continue from my last position since SE does not feature an autosave function. Otherwise the orbital elements(and even the user/camera position) are usually get messed up in the event of a CTD.
So my question is how is this going to work with steam? Can I make an exact copy and do the above procedure? Or there is now going to be a savegame button or a periodical auto-save (preferable)?
Also what about addons? Now I can check if an addon is OK and does not break anything and then copy it to the backup installation.
In general there are advantages of having a 2nd exact copy of SE somewhere else (preferably on a separate physical volume).

There are advantages also for SE going to Steam the main one being that any core updates will occur in the background and we will never notice as Space Engineer pointed above. Also add-ons will (hopefully/probably) will be even easier to install/uninstall.

When the new version of SE 0.9.9.0 is released, will it be able to be downloaded from the SE website or just only on steam?

It will only be on Steam. SpaceEngineer stated that here.

- SE will be paid (don't worry donaters, you will receive a free key)

I am curious - does this apply to donations as of the new release (v0990), or donations made in the past? I have donated to SE, but under a different email address then the one I used to set up my forum account. 

I also have some more specific questions since SE is moving to Steam:
Now I always keep a 2nd exactly identical installation of SE on a separate physical HD.

Steam version is almost the same SE, the only difference is executable file that is launched under Steam client. So you may copy/modify files as you like. But keep in mind that every update on steam will restore original default files. Addons, screenshot and export folder and user configs will not be affected by update - this is another reason to make mods in a right way, without modifying default files. I developed addons and config updating system exactly for Steam.

I am curious - does this apply to donations as of the new release (v0990), or donations made in the past? I have donated to SE, but under a different email address then the one I used to set up my forum account. 

It does, however, I have payment history only for 4 years (paypal keeps only 3 years long history, and I have some older backups).
People who donated roughly Steam price and more will be notified by email that they are granted the free key. After approval, we will send the key to them. I'm not sure that we can automate this process, so receiving your key may be time consuming. We will use email from the paypal payment data за course. So if you removed your email box, try to find payment ID in paypal history or whatever to proof your payment.

[quote="SpaceEngineer"]Steam allows offline installation. You can just start downloading the game, then abort it, copy the whole game folder from another computer, then start steam and play.[/quote]
Thanks for the info. I thought internet connection was necessary to install Steam.

I will most definitely buy Space Engine even if i don't agree with switching on Steam. Will 0.9.9.0 be depended on internet connection or that will be required in later versions?

Why is the Steam price kept secret?

Will 0.9.9.0 be depended on internet connection or that will be required in later versions?

Only for logging in.

Well,  that's only partially true.  I can log into steam with my internet completely disconnected with offline mode.