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Sharing is Caring: Your Guide to Sharing PC Games Online

So, you’ve amassed a glorious library of PC games and you want to share the wealth with your friends and family? Great! Sharing PC games online is definitely possible, but the method and limitations vary depending on the platform. The direct answer is: it depends on the platform you’re using. Each platform has its own rules and mechanisms for game sharing, making it essential to understand how each one works. Below, we will explore the most popular platforms, along with some important FAQs to keep in mind as you proceed with sharing your games.

Understanding Game Sharing Across Platforms

Let’s delve into the specifics of how game sharing operates on some of the leading PC gaming platforms.

Steam Family Library Sharing

Steam offers a feature called Family Library Sharing that allows you to share your games with up to five other accounts across a maximum of ten authorized devices. It is a common and popular method for sharing games with family or close friends.

How to Set It Up:
1. Enable Steam Guard: First, ensure you have Steam Guard security enabled. Go to Steam > Settings > Account in the Steam client.
2. Enable Family Library Sharing: Go to Settings > Family (or, in Big Picture mode, Settings > Family Library Sharing).
3. Authorize Devices and Users: You’ll need to authorize specific computers and users to share your library. The other user needs to log into Steam on your computer for you to authorize their account.
4. Select Shared Library: Log into Steam on your computer, then navigate to Settings > Family. Click the Authorize Library Sharing on this computer switch.
Limitations:
- Only one person can play a game from the library at a time. If you want to play a game while someone else is using your shared library, they will receive a notification with a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing.
- Not all games are eligible for Family Library Sharing. Game developers can opt out of the feature.
- You can only share with accounts on devices you have authorized.
- You cannot share individual games; you share your entire library.

Xbox Game Pass (PC) Sharing

Xbox Game Pass on PC offers a slightly different model, and the rules differ whether you are talking about PC or Xbox consoles.

Game Pass for PC:
- Microsoft Family: For PC gamers on Windows 11/10, your Xbox Game Pass PC/Ultimate subscription can be shared with family members and friends through the Microsoft Family feature.
- How to Set It Up: Go to Windows Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add Someone else to this PC. Add the Microsoft account that has Game Pass.
Game Pass for Console:
- To share on Xbox consoles, you need to designate your primary Xbox as your Home Xbox. Anyone who signs into that console with their own profile will have access to your Game Pass subscription benefits.
Sharing Limitations:
- Account Access: Requires access to the account that has the subscription to designate a home console.
- Digital Only: Can only share digitally purchased games or titles available through the Game Pass subscription.

Epic Games Store Sharing

Epic Games Store officially does not support account sharing. Account buying, selling, or sharing is strictly prohibited and violates their terms of service.

Why It’s Not Allowed:
- Account security becomes compromised, and it can lead to bans.
- Any actions taken on the shared account are your responsibility as the account owner.
Epic Games Account Sharing: Account buying, selling, or sharing is not allowed. Any actions committed on your account are your responsibility. Any bans received on your account as a result of sharing are your responsibility as the account owner. Buying and selling accounts is against our terms of service and will result in an account ban.
Why it’s not allowed: The Epic Games Store does not allow sharing, mainly because of the same email issue. Each Epic Games account can only be associated with a single email address.

Other Platforms and Methods

GOG (Good Old Games): Games purchased on GOG are DRM-free, meaning you can technically share the installation files. However, it’s essential to respect the platform’s terms of service, which may discourage this practice.
Cloud Gaming Services (e.g., GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming): These services allow you to stream games, but they generally require individual subscriptions. Sharing an account may violate the terms of service.
Physical Copies: While technically not “online” sharing, you can always lend physical copies of games to friends. Remember, this only works for games you own physically.

Additional Considerations

Regardless of the platform, always be mindful of the following:

Terms of Service: Read and understand the terms of service for each platform before attempting to share games.
Account Security: Never share your login credentials with untrusted individuals.
Region Restrictions: Some games may have region restrictions that prevent sharing across different regions.
Trust: Only share your library with people you trust, as their actions can affect your account.
Games Learning Society: The world of game sharing and platforms is changing. Consider checking out resources such as the Games Learning Society to stay updated on the current gaming industry trends. Check out their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs that address common concerns and questions about sharing PC games online:

Can I use my Steam account on two computers at the same time? No, a Steam account can only be online on one computer at a time. While the account can be logged in on multiple devices, only one can be actively playing a game.
Is PC Game Pass sharable with family? Yes, PC Game Pass can be shared with family members through the Microsoft Family feature on Windows 10/11.
Can I share my Epic Games account? No, sharing Epic Games accounts is against their terms of service and can result in a ban.
How many friends can I share my Steam library with? Steam Family Library Sharing allows you to share your library with up to five users across ten authorized devices.
Can two people play the same Steam game at the same time using Family Sharing? No, only one person can play a game from the shared library at a time.
What happens if I try to play a game while someone else is using my shared Steam library? The other user will receive a notification with a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing.
Are all games eligible for Steam Family Library Sharing? No, game developers can opt out of the Family Library Sharing feature for their games.
Can I share individual games from my Steam library? No, when you use Family Library Sharing, you share your entire library, not individual games.
What is the friend limit on Epic Games? The friend limit on Epic Games is typically 1,000 friends.
Can I have two Epic Games accounts with the same email address? No, each Epic Games account must be associated with a unique email address.
Can my child share my Game Pass subscription on Xbox? Yes, if you set your primary Xbox as your Home Xbox, any accounts that log into that console will be able to share your Game Pass benefits.
How much does Game Pass Ultimate cost? The price may vary, but typically, Game Pass Ultimate is around $16.99 per month.
Does PC Game Pass let you play online multiplayer games? Yes, PC Game Pass includes online multiplayer access.
What is Share Play and how does it work? Share Play is a PlayStation feature that allows you to hand over your controller to a friend or play a local multiplayer game with them online, even if they don’t own the game.
What happens when you game share with someone on Xbox? When you gameshare on Xbox, you both have access to each other’s entire library of games purchased from the Microsoft Store, as well as titles from subscription services like EA Play, and Xbox Live Gold benefits.

Conclusion

Sharing PC games online can be a fantastic way to enjoy your gaming library with friends and family. By understanding the platform-specific rules and limitations, you can navigate the process effectively and legally. Always prioritize account security, respect the terms of service, and share responsibly. Now go forth and spread the gaming joy!

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