Why are older versions displayed as temporary?

[TheShark9990]

Why not be able to play all the previous versions to comprehend and understand the history of the game?

This debate with myself started 3 months ago, when I decided to take on a nostalgia trip and play version 1.3.1 with the help of Steam's console. The problem with this is that it needs multiple workarounds to run the older version properly. This is still manageable, but other versions, like 1.16, does not come with an executable file, making it impossible to play that version. Also, DLCs are not compatible and will not work, unlike downgrading to 1.35 through Steam's Betas tab.

It would be incredible advancing in a profile while also evolving the game and seeing the changes that shaped the game we have today.

[Mohegan13]

Because Steam only allows a limited amount of branches.

[TheShark9990]

Then I will try to take this further and talk with Steam about it, surely an unsuccesful attempt, but I have nothing better to do.

[Madkine]

And DLC only work with the version they were released on and above. You cannot use a DLC on a version from before it was released.

And given the steam change would apply to all games, they are very unlikely to change this based on 1 user complaining (1 developer complaining would also be very unlikely to change it).