Can Rust Be Family Shared? The Definitive Guide
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The short answer is no, as of February 17th, 2021, Steam family sharing for Rust is disabled for the foreseeable future. This means that you cannot share your copy of Rust with other Steam accounts through the Steam Family Library Sharing feature. If you and another player want to enjoy the brutal survival experience that Rust offers, each of you will need to purchase a separate copy of the game.
This decision was made by the developers of Rust, Facepunch Studios, and stems from concerns about potential abuse of the family sharing system, specifically in relation to bans.
Why Was Family Sharing Disabled for Rust?
The primary reason behind disabling family sharing for Rust boils down to the game’s zero-tolerance policy on cheating and toxic behavior. Here’s a breakdown:
- Ban Evasion: Family sharing presented an easy way for banned players to circumvent their punishment. A cheater could be banned on their primary account, and then simply switch to a family shared account to continue playing without consequences.
- Integrity of the Game: Facepunch Studios is committed to maintaining a fair and enjoyable experience for all players. Allowing ban evasion through family sharing directly undermines these efforts.
- Accountability: Holding players accountable for their actions is crucial in any online multiplayer game. When bans can be easily bypassed, the entire system becomes less effective.
It’s worth noting that while the inability to share Rust might be frustrating, it’s a necessary measure to protect the integrity of the game and its community. This approach showcases the importance of community management in complex online games, a topic often explored by organizations like the Games Learning Society.
Understanding Steam Family Library Sharing
Even though Rust doesn’t support it, it’s helpful to understand how Steam Family Library Sharing typically works. This feature allows you to share your Steam library with up to five other accounts on authorized computers. Here’s the general process (excluding Rust, of course):
- Authorization: The account owner authorizes specific computers to enable sharing.
- Account Selection: The account owner selects which Steam accounts are allowed to access the shared library on those authorized computers.
- Access and Play: The shared accounts can then access and play the games in the shared library, one user at a time.
Limitations of Family Sharing (General)
Even when family sharing is supported, it’s important to note the following limitations:
- One Player at a Time: Only one person can play a game from a shared library at any given time. If the owner of the library wants to play a game, the shared user will be given a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing.
- Not All Games Are Shareable: Some games may not be shareable due to technical limitations or publisher restrictions.
- VAC Bans Affect Sharing: If an account sharing the library gets VAC banned (Valve Anti-Cheat), the sharing privileges may be revoked for all linked accounts.
- Region Restrictions: Game sharing may be affected by region restrictions.
Alternatives to Family Sharing for Rust
Since family sharing isn’t an option for Rust, the only real alternative is to purchase a separate copy of the game for each player who wishes to play. While this might seem inconvenient, it ensures that everyone is playing on a legitimate account and is subject to the same rules and consequences.
Consider Sales and Bundles
Keep an eye out for sales or bundles that might reduce the cost of purchasing multiple copies of Rust. Steam regularly offers discounts on games, and you might be able to snag a deal if you’re patient.
FAQs: Rust and Sharing
Here are some frequently asked questions related to Rust and account sharing, addressing common concerns and clarifying the current situation:
1. How do I share a game on Steam?
From the Steam Settings panel, select the Family tab. Here, you can select users who have also logged into this computer to share your library with. Click the “Authorize Library Sharing on this device” switch. Check the box next to the account you’d like to share your Library with. However, remember that this does not apply to Rust.
2. Can you make a new account if you get banned on Rust?
While you can technically create a new Steam account, it won’t allow you to bypass a ban from Rust if the ban is tied to your hardware or other identifiers. Furthermore, attempting to evade a ban can lead to further penalties.
3. Can you play Rust with a game ban?
No. If you receive a game ban in Rust, you will be unable to play the game on the account that received the ban.
4. Is it possible to get Rust for free?
No, Rust is not a free-to-play game. It requires a one-time purchase from the Steam store.
5. Are Rust game bans permanent?
Generally, yes. Bans in Rust are often permanent, especially for serious offenses like cheating. Accounts linked to multiple Rust game bans will be banned permanently.
6. Do Rust game bans expire?
No, Rust game bans do not expire. They are permanent and will remain on your account indefinitely.
7. Can 2 people share a Steam account?
While technically possible, sharing a Steam account is against Steam’s terms of service and is not recommended. Furthermore, it doesn’t solve the problem of playing Rust together since Rust requires separate accounts and doesn’t support family sharing.
8. How does family sharing work on Steam (generally)?
If someone else from your circle of friends or family has a game you’d like to play, they can activate Steam Family Sharing for you. To do this, open their library. And if you like a game, send a request. To do this, click on “Play” and then “Request Access”. Note that this doesn’t work for Rust.
9. Can a Steam account be used on 2 computers at the same time?
No. A Steam account can only be logged in and playing a game on one computer at a time.
10. Has a VAC ban ever been lifted?
VAC bans are permanent, non-negotiable, and cannot be removed by Steam Support. If a VAC ban is determined to have been issued incorrectly, it will automatically be removed, but this is rare.
11. Will I ever get unbanned from Rust?
It’s possible to appeal a ban in Rust if you believe it was issued in error. However, the chances of getting unbanned are generally slim, especially if the ban was for cheating. The game developer will reevaluate their decision, and if a conclusion is reached that you are innocent, you will get unbanned.
12. Can I play Rust with just a friend?
Yes! While you each need your own copy of the game, playing with friends is a core part of the Rust experience. First off, you need to make sure you’re all on the same server. To do this, one of you will need to join first, and let your friends know which server to search for. Once you’re all on the same server, you need to craft a sleeping bag.
13. Can you trade with a game ban?
Depending on the severity of the violation, you may receive a temporary or permanent trade ban. If a VAC Ban, cooldown, or overwatch ban has been registered on your account, you will no longer have access to the CS:GO store, or be able to make trades for CS:GO items, and you will no longer receive item drops.
14. Can you host your own Rust server for free?
While some services claim to offer free Rust server hosting, these often come with limitations or require you to complete surveys or other tasks. A completely free and reliable Rust server hosting solution is rare. AxenHost is a completely free game hosting platform, which offers Rust servers at no cost. You can enjoy high-quality game servers and customize them with mods and plugins using their intuitive interface. Always exercise caution when using free hosting services.
15. Does a VAC ban ban your IP?
No, VAC does not ban anyone by IP address. It bans the Steam account that was detected using cheats. However, using cheats on a public computer can lead to the account used on that computer being banned.
Final Thoughts
While the inability to family share Rust might be disappointing, it’s a necessary measure to maintain the integrity and fairness of the game. By purchasing separate copies of the game, players contribute to a healthier and more enjoyable community for everyone. Remember to stay informed about Steam’s policies and game-specific rules to avoid any confusion or potential penalties.
If you’re interested in learning more about the intersection of gaming, learning, and community building, be sure to check out GamesLearningSociety.org, a fantastic resource from the Games Learning Society.