Skyrim and Steam!

I have a question I would like to ask before I decided to buy Skyrim off steam or at retail.

Since Skyrim is a "Steam" only game, does that mean that once I buy the disc from retail, I have to download it from steam all over again or does it mean that I can install the game but it has to be played through steam?

I don't want to go to my local game stop only to find out that it simply just give me a purchase code in which I have to spent the next 8 hours or so downloading it from steam then installing it.

I just want to make sure or ask this question for those who have it, that when I buy the retail disc, all I need is to install it is that correct?

Also does this mean that I can play using the disc and play without using the disc since it a steam game?

I hope this make sense.

Thanks

 

When you run the installer, it brings up a Steam window. You type in the key to attach the game to your account, then it will install off the disc. When it's finished, Steam will download any needed updates, and you play it just like you would any other Steam game. No need to use the disc for anything other than installing. If you happen to lose or damage the disc, you can simply download the full game from Steam at any time.

Personally, this is how I think all games sold at retail need to be.

 

You might wanna take a look at this too Skyrim and Steam - Bethesda Softworks Forums

 

Delete this.

 

Seriously?

 

Yes! thank you!

It would take me like 5 full days to be able to download this game otherwise.