A note to Steam ManiaPlanet Players

Standalone ManiaPlanet Setup instructions

1. Download from ManiaPlanet.com
2. Run the installer
3. Launch ManiaPlanet
4. Select "Create a New Profile"
5. Select "I already have an account"
6. Enter your ManiaPlanet credentials (the same as you created when you ran it from Steam)
7. Enjoy the goodness of the standalone ManiaPlanet!
   • Install the TrackMania 2 title pack (this will get Canyon, Valley and Stadium as well in one download)
   • Install ShootMania Storm title pack
8. [optional] - Make a Steam shortcut for ManiaPlanet.exe in Steam so you can still launch the standalone version from Steam if you prefer.

Welcome to ManiaPlanet! Below we explain why you need the Standalone ManiaPlanet

ManiaPlanet has some of the most fun games on our planet, and I'm so excited to be seeing so many Steam players joining the worlds of TrackMania and ShootMania since Steam's "From Paris, With Games" sale during June 2014. Our Team FNG servers have enjoyed over 2000 new players over the past 72 hours, and we hope you are enjoying the incredible experiences that are TrackMania and ShootMania.

The struggle

Unfortunately, switching titles in Steam is somewhat painful, because you are forced to leave ManiaPlanet and go back to Steam to launch another title.

The good news

ManiaPlanet has a standalone installer that runs independent from Steam. Since you have launched your purchased titles in Steam and tied those titles to your new ManiaPlanet account, you can play the game anywhere on any device that has ManiaPlanet installed, whether Steam or standalone.

There are some major benefits to playing through the Standalone ManiaPlanet:

• You're not required to be logged in to both Steam and ManiaPlanet
• Switch game titles without leaving ManiaPlanet (Canyon to Valley, Stadium to ShootMania, etc.)
• You have access to the "Universal Demo"

What is this Universal Demo you speak of?

Nadeo has been generous in letting players try retail game titles before they buy. When you install a retail title pack you don't own (like TrackMania 2: Valley, Stadium, Canyon; or ShootMania Storm...) you can play it for 48 hours unrestricted. After that, you get 1 hour/day (more if there are less than 100 players in the title pack you are playing.)

It is Nadeo's hope that this will provide you more than adequate time to get a feel for the game, and enjoy some free time with your friends... and that you'll enjoy the game enough to purchase that title. At that point, you gain access to features limited by the demo like having others see your custom cars and avatars, hear your custom horn, etc.

If you're tight on money, no problem... the Universal Demo doesn't stop after a certain amount of days. It is perpetually 1 hour/day until further notice.

Why can't I participate in the Universal Demo on Steam?

Because of the nature of the Title Packs being separate products on Steam, there are limitations on implementation that make it impossible for Nadeo to provide the same experience as the standalone ManiaPlanet in Steam (like the problem with having to dump out to Steam to switch title packs.) Therefore, they can't make the Universal Demo available in Steam.

Do I have to purchase my titles again and create a new ManiaPlanet account in the Standalone?

Absolutely not! The great thing about ManiaPlanet is that your titles are tied to your ManiaPlanet account. Once you've purchased a title through Steam and have launched it once so the key can be tied to your ManiaPlanet account, you are no longer forced to be in Steam to run it. You can play on anyone's computer on Standalone ManiaPlanet or on Steam's versions, because it's all about logging in to ManiaPlanet with your credentials.

Any other tips about this conversion?

Yes!

Install the following two title packs if you haven't already:

• TrackMania 2 (includes all three TrackMania 2 environments together in one pack)
• ShootMania: Storm

Installing the TrackMania 2 title pack will automatically make the Canyon, Stadium and Valley titles available too. It will also allow you to join those servers, which host all three environments, so you can play them all without switching titles.

You will still use the individual title packs (for instance, Canyon) for servers that only host Canyon, etc.