Can Two Steam Accounts Play the Same Game?

The answer to whether two Steam accounts can play the same game is a bit complex, as it depends on the specific circumstances, such as the type of game and the Steam features being used, like Family Sharing or purchasing an extra copy of the game. Generally, a Steam library can only be used by one user at a time to play one game at a time, but there are exceptions and ways to share games across multiple accounts, such as through co-op modes or by gifting games.

Understanding Steam’s Game Sharing Policies

To delve deeper into the specifics of playing the same game on multiple Steam accounts, it’s essential to understand Steam’s policies on game sharing, including Family Sharing, which allows users to share their game library with family members and friends, and the conditions under which a game can be played by multiple users.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Can you own 2 copies of the same game on Steam? – No, owning two copies of the same game in one account is not possible; you can only have one instance of a game on your account.
2. Do you need to buy two copies of a game for co-op on Steam? – For some games, like It Takes Two, only one person has to purchase the game for two to play, as the co-op can be accessed through a friend code.
3. Can two people use Steam at the same time? – A Steam library can only be used by one user at a time to play one game at a time, even with Family Sharing.

Game Ownership and Sharing

4. What games give 2 copies on Steam? – Games like Achron, Bombernauts, Contraption Maker, and Crash Drive 2 include a copy of the game for a friend.
5. How do I gift a second copy of a game on Steam? – You can gift a duplicate game by selecting it under Manage Gifts and Guest Passes in the Steam client.
6. What happens if you purchase a game you already own on Steam? – If you try to buy a game you already own, the “buy for myself” button will be grayed out; you can only buy it as a gift.

Steam Account and Game Management

7. When you buy a game on Steam, do you own it forever? – You have a license to play the game for an indefinite amount of time, but there’s nothing you truly own.
8. Do you legally own the games on Steam? – You own the license to use the software, not the software itself.
9. Can I sell my purchased Steam games? – Only unplayed, extra copies granted as part of a game purchase can be traded; once a game is added to your library, it cannot be traded.

Steam Features and Policies

10. Can you use Steam on 2 computers at once? – Yes, but only one session may be active at a time; signing in on a second computer will log you out of the first.
11. Can I refund a Steam game and buy it again? – Yes, if the purchase is eligible, you can request a refund and then repurchase the game, possibly at a sale price.
12. How much does Steam charge to sell a game? – There is a 30% commission on every sale made on Steam.

Additional Information

13. What can I do with unwanted Steam games? – You can sell them through platforms like Gameflip.
14. Is it illegal to use a VPN to buy Steam games? – Using a VPN is not illegal, but Steam may block IP addresses to prevent access.
15. What happens to your games if Steam closes? – Games you have downloaded can still be played offline, but games not downloaded would not be accessible if the company ceases to exist.