Is Game Sharing Still Allowed? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, game sharing is still allowed on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, but it comes with specific limitations and rules. The ability to share digital game libraries with friends and family remains a popular feature, offering cost-effective access to a broader range of games. However, the details of how game sharing works, its restrictions, and the potential consequences of misuse vary between platforms. Let’s break down the specifics.
Understanding Game Sharing on PlayStation
How PlayStation Game Sharing Works
On PlayStation, game sharing is facilitated by a feature called Console Sharing and Offline Play. This feature essentially allows you to designate one PlayStation console as your primary console. Any accounts on that console will be able to access and play your digital game library, even when your primary account is not logged in. This means friends or family using that console can access your games and other content. Crucially, this also allows them to play games offline.
To enable Console Sharing and Offline Play, the feature is typically automatically activated when you first log into your PlayStation Network account on a new console. If you need to enable or disable it manually:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Users and Accounts.
- Navigate to Other.
- Choose Console Sharing and Offline Play.
PS5 Share Play
In addition to Console Sharing and Offline Play, the PS5 also offers Share Play. This feature allows you to virtually “hand over” control of your game to another player online, regardless of whether they own the game. This does require an active PlayStation Plus subscription for both players in most cases. However, Share Play has certain restrictions:
- You can only use Share Play with one visitor at a time.
- If the invited player doesn’t have a PlayStation Plus subscription, certain aspects like “Play with the Visitor” may be unavailable.
Limitations on PlayStation
- You can only have one PS5 console activated for Console Sharing and Offline Play at any given time.
- While you can enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on another PS5, doing so will disable it on the previous one.
What is Allowed
When Console Sharing and Offline Play is enabled, anyone using the designated console can:
- Play your games and media even when the console is offline.
- Access games and media you’ve purchased and downloaded.
- Enjoy some of the benefits of your PlayStation Plus membership, such as online multiplayer.
What is Not Allowed
- Simultaneous play using the same account on different consoles is not allowed. One account can only be actively playing on one console at any given time.
Understanding Game Sharing on Xbox
How Xbox Game Sharing Works
Xbox’s game sharing model centers on the concept of a “Home Xbox”. By designating one console as your Home Xbox, you grant access to your digital game library, as well as your Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass Ultimate benefits, to all other accounts signed in on that console. In simpler terms, the other person in the share is playing on your game license.
To set a console as your Home Xbox:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Personalization.
- Choose My Home Xbox.
- Select “Make this my home Xbox“.
Limitations on Xbox
- Game sharing on Xbox is limited to two people at a time. You can only share your library with the one console designated as your “Home Xbox.”
- You can switch your Home Xbox up to five times in a one-year period.
Important Note
You must trust the person you are gamesharing with because setting their console as your “Home Xbox” also grants access to your purchased content and your subscription.
Xbox Family Settings
Xbox also allows for family management where you can add multiple accounts to a family and each account can use the Home console benefits. A crucial part of this is understanding that only one account on a console needs Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass Ultimate for all the other accounts on that console to benefit from it.
What is Allowed
When a console is set as the “Home Xbox”, users on that console can:
- Play games you purchased
- Access your Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass Ultimate benefits
What is Not Allowed
- You cannot share with more than one other console. To do so, you would need to switch the “Home Xbox” to a different console and that would immediately remove gamesharing privileges with the previous console.
- Simultaneous play using the same account on different consoles is not allowed. One account can only be actively playing on one console at any given time.
Consequences of Misusing Game Sharing
It’s important to adhere to the guidelines of game sharing policies, as violations may result in consequences.
PlayStation
For serious breaches of their terms of service, Sony may suspend a PlayStation console from accessing the PlayStation Network. However, there is no evidence that gamesharing per se can get you banned.
Xbox
While Microsoft doesn’t typically ban accounts solely for game sharing, misusing it can lead to account issues. Exceeding the Home Xbox switch limit might require waiting for the period to reset before making changes again.
Steam
On Steam, Family Library Sharing can also be revoked if your library is used by others to conduct cheating or fraud. Additionally, games with VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat System) bans cannot be shared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is game sharing illegal?
No, game sharing is not illegal on either PS4, PS5, or Xbox. These features are built into the consoles themselves. However, it is important to follow the terms of service to avoid any repercussions for account misuse.
2. Can I game share with someone on a different console generation?
Yes, on PlayStation, you can use Share Play to play PS5 games on a PS4 with a friend. Xbox does not have a similar cross-generation share play, as game sharing is based on accounts and not the console.
3. Can I play the same game at the same time as my game sharing partner?
No, you cannot play the same game at the same time using the same account. Game sharing is essentially the digital equivalent of lending a physical game, which implies that only one person can use it at a time. For PSN, if the other user on the game shared account signs into the same game as the main account, they will receive a message saying someone else is already playing, and be kicked off.
4. Can I share my Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with someone?
Yes, if your account with Game Pass Ultimate is set as the Home Xbox on another console, any other accounts on that console will benefit from the Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
5. Can I game share with more than one person on Xbox at a time?
No, you can only game share with one other person at a time on Xbox.
6. Can I game share on multiple PS5 consoles?
No, you can only activate one PS5 console for Console Sharing and Offline Play at a time.
7. How do I remove someone from game sharing on Xbox?
To remove someone from game sharing on Xbox, simply set your own Xbox console back to your Home Xbox. This immediately revokes the game sharing privilege from the other console.
8. How do I remove someone from game sharing on PS5?
To remove someone from game sharing on PS5, disable the Console Sharing and Offline Play feature on their console, and enable it on your own.
9. Can I be banned for game sharing?
While there’s no evidence of banning solely for game sharing itself, misusing game sharing or any violations of terms of service might lead to account suspension or restrictions. On Steam, allowing others to use your library for cheating or fraud can also get you banned.
10. What happens if I reach my yearly limit for Home Xbox switches?
If you reach your limit of five Home Xbox switches, you’ll have to wait for the date indicated by the system before you can change it again.
11. Can I share games offline?
Yes, with Console Sharing and Offline Play enabled on PS5 and a console set as the Home Xbox on Xbox, the games can be played even when the consoles are offline.
12. Can I merge two Xbox accounts together?
No, Microsoft accounts cannot be merged, but you can share subscriptions and games between them on a Home Xbox.
13. Can I use game share with people in other regions?
Game sharing with people in other regions should work, but certain games might be region-locked.
14. Can my child leave a Microsoft Family account without permission?
If your child is listed as the parent in the Microsoft family, they can leave it. If listed as a child, they can ask the parent in the account to remove them.
15. What happens if the main account that gameshares leaves a family account?
The other accounts in the family will no longer have access to any gameshares once the main account leaves. If a family group does not have a family organizer and at least one other family member, it will be deleted.
In conclusion, game sharing remains a viable and popular option for gamers who wish to access more games while also being cost-effective. However, understanding the rules and limitations of each platform is vital for a smooth and uninterrupted experience. By adhering to these guidelines, users can enjoy the benefits of game sharing without risking their accounts.