Hey,

so i just gotten the Civilization 5 activation code on steam.
Can i download the game elsewhere ehem ehem and play in steam (given i already activated the code)

cannot la..

so i need to download straight from steam?

You can copy it from steam backup.

Yo, where can i find this steam backup?

Not sure if you can get those backup freely on Internet. You can get it from someone already installed it on steam (doesn't matter if different PC or different account)

You can try asking here, maybe someone nearby to your place have it

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1454423

i have a friend who have it,which folder should i copy?

Lets play MP one day TS

if steam version, go to /steam/steamapps/common. find the folder "Sid Meier's Civilization V", copy the folder and paste it in your steam installation folder.

easier way is to ask your friend to create steam backup for you, but it takes time to create the backup.

Why not just download from Steam since you already got the code? I think you can resume download if the file size is a concern.