About GTAV's physical copy

[JADOLLA]

Hey guys, so i recently bought a physical copy of GTAV, i usually purchase games from steam, but this game had a lot of data and i have a slow connection ( so i don't know how physical copies work ). Anyways, my friend wants the game. Can i just give him the discs, so he can install the game and return them back, or is it already linked to one user like steam games ?

 

[ingtar33]

yep. it's linked to one user. unless you like the idea of getting locked out of your own game; you'll probably want to encourage him to buy it himself.

 

[Vynavill]

I'm afraid the physical disk will try to link the copy to the Steam account currently logged. What you could try doing is copy the bulk of your installed data over his Steam installation folder (basically just the biggest folder containing all the game's packed data, excluding the executables and dlls under the root install folder, perhaps via an external hard drive).

Your friend would have to buy a copy for himself, start downloading the game, close Steam down and then copy your content over his folder. If it's clever enough, when he restarts Steam back and resumes the download, it should detect the data as valid and avoid him the task of getting everything, downloading just the executables and generating the DRM APIs for his account.
A repair through Steam's client would follow, to ensure everything's fine.

I hope it's clear that this is just an hypothesis; I never tested this nor guarantee it works. I also hope it's clear that he won't be able to play and that you'll risk getting locked out of your account if he doesn't buy himself a copy, as well.

 

[Mr_Venbeer]

Physical disks DO NOT connect the game to steam. It only goes to the Social Club account, because steam didn't sell the discs. Once you have redeemed the game CD code, you will no longer be able to use it on another account. You will have to buy a new key, but you can still use the same installation disks.

 

[Vynavill]

Well, it's true I haven't bought a physical copy in a while, but I recall I've always got my physical copies requiring Steam installed, running and logged in, with games automatically linking to my account and refusing to install if I wasn't online.

Still, it's good to know I'm wrong 😛

 

[JADOLLA]

Thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it.