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Can You Send Owned Games on Steam? The Definitive Guide

The short answer is a resounding no, you cannot send games you already own on Steam to another user. Once a game is tied to your Steam account library, it’s there to stay. Think of it like buying a digital book on Kindle – you can’t “lend” it to a friend after you’ve already added it to your personal library. This article will dive into the reasons behind this limitation and explore alternative options for gifting and sharing games on Steam.

Understanding Steam’s Gifting System

Steam’s gifting system is designed around new purchases. When you want to give a game to a friend, you’re essentially buying them a separate copy of the game through the Steam store, which they then redeem onto their own account. This differs significantly from a transfer or “gifting” of a game already in your library.

The core reason behind this policy lies in digital rights management (DRM) and publisher agreements. When you purchase a game on Steam, you’re not actually buying the game itself; you’re buying a license to play that game. This license is tied to your Steam account, and publishers typically don’t allow the transfer of licenses between users. Allowing the transfer of owned games would open the door to significant issues, including potential abuse, the creation of a gray market for used digital games, and the undermining of game sales for developers.

Exploring Alternatives to Sending Owned Games

While you can’t directly send a game you already own, here are a few alternative solutions:

Purchase as a Gift: The most straightforward approach is to buy the game as a gift for your friend through the Steam store. During the purchase process, you’ll be given the option to “Purchase as a gift.” This sends a digital gift to your friend, which they can then redeem and add to their library.
Steam Wallet Funds: You can send Steam Wallet funds to your friends, allowing them to purchase the game themselves. This is a great option if you’re unsure which game they want or if they have other games on their wishlist. Steam Wallet codes can be purchased in various denominations.
Game Sharing (Steam Family Sharing): Steam offers a feature called Steam Family Sharing, which allows you to authorize up to five other Steam accounts to access your game library on a shared computer. However, this does not mean you are “gifting” them the game. It means they can play games from your library when you’re not actively using them. Restrictions apply; for instance, only one user can play a game from the library at a time, and some games might not be eligible for Family Sharing. More information can be found on the Steam Support website.
Physical Copies (Where Available): Some games still have physical releases. Though less common, this allows you to actually own a game and then give it to whoever you want. This is more common with console games than PC games.
Supporting Educational Games: While considering your gifting options, remember the importance of educational games. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org promotes research and innovation in game-based learning, highlighting the potential of games as valuable educational tools. Consider exploring games with educational value for your friends or family.

Understanding the Limitations of Steam Family Sharing

While Steam Family Sharing is a great option for allowing others to access your games, it’s crucial to understand its limitations:

Only one person can play at a time: If you’re playing a game in your library, no one else can access any games from that library via Family Sharing until you stop playing.
Not all games are eligible: Publishers can choose to opt their games out of Family Sharing.
Restricted accounts: Child accounts may have limited access to Family Sharing features.
Account revocation: If a user sharing your library engages in fraudulent activity or violates the Steam Subscriber Agreement, your Family Sharing privileges may be revoked.

FAQs: Steam Gifting and Sharing

Here are some frequently asked questions about gifting and sharing games on Steam:

1. Can I gift a game I own if I bought it in a bundle?

If the bundle was configured as “Complete The Set,” meaning you were only allowed to purchase it for yourself, then no, you cannot gift the individual game. If the bundle was configured as “Must Purchase Together”, you can gift the entire bundle, provided you haven’t redeemed it.

2. Can I refund a game I gifted to someone?

Yes, unredeemed gifts can be refunded within the standard 14-day/two-hour refund period. If the gift has been redeemed, it can still be refunded under the same conditions if the recipient initiates the refund.

3. How long do I have to be friends with someone on Steam to gift them a game?

You must be friends with the recipient for at least three days before you can send them a digital gift card. This is a security measure to prevent fraud.

4. Can I gift a game to someone who doesn’t have a Steam account?

Yes, but they’ll need to create one. You can purchase the game as a gift, and Steam will provide a link for the recipient to create an account and redeem the game.

5. Can I gift a game that’s on sale?

Yes, you can gift games that are on sale, and the recipient will receive the discounted price.

6. Can I trade games on Steam?

No, once a game is in your library, you cannot trade it. The trading system on Steam primarily involves in-game items, not entire games.

7. What happens if the person I gifted a game to already owns it?

If the recipient already owns the game, they will receive a notification stating that they already have the game in their library. Steam typically won’t allow you to gift a game that the recipient already owns, or at least, it will notify them that they already own the game before they redeem the gift.

8. Can I use Steam Wallet funds to buy a gift for someone?

Yes, you can use Steam Wallet funds to purchase a gift for someone on your friends list.

9. Can I send a Steam gift card to someone in another country?

Yes, but there might be regional pricing differences. Steam automatically converts the value of the gift card to the recipient’s local currency, which might affect the amount they receive.

10. What happens if I accidentally gift a game to the wrong person?

If the gift hasn’t been redeemed, you can contact Steam Support to request a refund.

11. Can I share my entire Steam library with a family member?

Yes, through Steam Family Sharing. However, as mentioned earlier, there are limitations to this feature, such as only one person being able to play at a time and not all games being eligible.

12. Are there any risks associated with buying Steam keys from third-party websites?

Yes, there are risks. While some third-party websites are legitimate, others may sell illegitimate keys that could be revoked by Steam. It’s generally safer to purchase games directly from the Steam store or authorized retailers.

13. Can I sell my Steam account?

No, selling Steam accounts is a violation of the Steam Subscriber Agreement. Steam accounts are non-transferable and are intended for personal use only.

14. Is there a limit to how many times I can use Steam Family Sharing?

You can authorize Family Sharing on up to five accounts on a single computer.

15. Can I bypass the gifting restrictions by using a VPN?

Using a VPN to bypass regional gifting restrictions is against Steam’s terms of service and could result in your account being banned.

Conclusion

While the inability to directly send owned games on Steam might seem restrictive, it’s a measure designed to protect developers and ensure the integrity of the Steam ecosystem. By understanding the available gifting options and alternatives like Steam Family Sharing, you can still share your love of gaming with friends and family. And remember to consider the potential of games for learning and education, explored by organizations like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Can you send owned games on Steam?