Shared Gaming May Be Coming to Steam

[exfileme]

Code found in Steam points to possible game sharing with other members.

Shared Gaming May Be Coming to Steam : Read more

 

[nevilence]

this would be a very cool feature, as long as i could dictate who could borrow them that is

 

[Morkintash]

"Thus, if your son is playing LEGO Batman on the den computer, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is not an option until he's logged off."

For now you can have one in offline mode with the other logged in. Just disable the connection before launching Steam. Some games don't work in offline mode though (multi-player usually.)

 

[invlem]

This would be an amazing feature, many single player games out there that sit idle in the steam library probably never to be played again, would be great if you could lend out those titles to friends.

 

[NaThRo]

My guess would be a limited time frame for borrowing games.
"This shared game is unavailable because you have reached maximum shared play time. If you enjoyed this game, please buy it for your own library."

 

[agnickolov]

What we really need is a family account with linked kids accounts. I'm presently considering re-buying some games I already have on Steam from GOG just so I can give them to my son. I did do so for a few games already. Steam is sometimes cheaper than GOG though, so that's extra hurt...

For any new purchases I consider GOG first and Steam second. Since I mostly buy older games that works ok for me, but Valve do miss sales from me.

 

[dutchling]

This use to be a feature on Xbox one.

 

[edogawa]

This feature would be really great. Friends can basically demo a game before they decide to purchase it. I don't think publishers would lose money. If the consumer likes the game they will buy it, I certainly would if the game is good. I don't believe digital games should be resold so this is a good alternative. I can't imagine what PC gaming would be like if it wasn't for Steam.

 

[fcabanski]

You folks are begging STEAM for a feature non STEAM purchased games already have. STEAM tells you how and where to play, then may give you a peanut if you're good.

 

[kinggraves]

You could probably just get a Wii U for the kids, it's not like they need a keyboard for Lego games. Well, anyway I suppose there is one positive to the Xbone, they've forced Valve to finally start looking into better game sharing and perhaps in the future digital selling as well. If the industry really wants digital sales to become the norm and strip Gamestop of it's influence over sales, it's going to have to take measures to assure that something I pay good money for is mine and not just being rented from Steam/Microsoft. Digital media licensing is about the only thing that isn't guaranteed the right of rental and resale that nearly all retail consumers are allowed.

 

[cats_Paw]

Valve: You are doing it right.

 

[hetneo]

This could actually improve sales of quality games because people could use it as trial, of course it would bring down sales of low quality games which would go against publishers' wishes. Would be great for consumers.

 

[mrface]

"Thus, if your son is playing LEGO Batman on the den computer, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is not an option "

CS:GO should never be an option...

 

[hoofhearted]

Locking should be limited to the game, not the account. Maybe the account should be locked to one ip or a max of 4 ips (in case my daughter is at a friends) or such. Would be nice if I could play Skyrim while my daughter plays Sims or whatever.

 

[back_by_demand]

Valve have probably been planning this for a while, waiting for the next-gen consoles to show their cards before BOOM HEADSHOT and taking back the crown of best gaming system again

PC was always better than console and everytime consoles take a step towards PCs to close the gap they put it in a higher gear and leave them eating dust

 

[rolli59]

Would be great for homes like mine with 5accounts.

 

[sewcrates]

"...and another account with credit card information. No thanks."

I have two accounts for my kids and I just buy games for them using the gift feature from my account. No cards needed on any account but mine!

Steam is awesome! I often joke with my friends about how angry I was when I bought Half-Life 2 and had to get this weird internet thing. The Xbox crowd should HOPE they kill used games because killing used games on the PC allowed Valve to create this amazing service.

 

[dvanburen]

I think every one is missing something in these lines of code:

"SteamUI_JoinDialog_SharedLicenseLocked_OwnerText" "Just so you know, your games are currently in use by %borrower%. Playing now will send %borrower% a notice that it's time to quit."

The keyword here is "games", plural. This sounds more like you will not be able to play *any* game in your library if someone is playing *any* game from your shared library. In essence, 1 game at a time, no matter who us playing.

This is just speculation, but using games instead of game suggests this is true.

 

[rohitbaran]

and another account with credit card information. No thanks.

Well, one can choose not to store their credit card details in the account. That's what I do. Better going through a minute of hassle than risking my credit card details being exposed in case of a hack.

 

[gm0n3y]

This would be a great idea. I could see having friends all sharing each other's games. For single player games only one or 2 people would need to buy it, everyone else can just borrow it when not in use. While this may hurt sales a little, I think that the added functionality would lead more people to buy games, meaning more sales overall.

 

[ojas]

Now all we need is trading and trade-ins. Maybe even family accounts.

 

[bustapr]

Id believe this is similar to how XBOX1 was doing the family plan. its really the only really great thing MS did with that console before their change of heart. its a great idea because to say the truth, steam sales have sucked me dry at times and half the games I buy end up in the library waited to eventually be installed. Id like for someone to enjoy the games I buy, especially since theres 148 of them.

trading-in games is something that just wouldnt work though. steam sales are possible mainly because of the way steam works now, where you buy a game and stay with it.

 

[ojas]

I dunno, trade games in for credits? If i got 50% of the value of each game i sold "back" to steam, i could put that money into another game...

 

[nevilence]

I dunno, trade games in for credits? If i got 50% of the value of each game i sold "back" to steam, i could put that money into another game...

and what would you be selling back to them, its digitla content, there is nothing they gain in the transaction, except maybe return business, but even then, they are ultimately gonna give you another game for less than normal price, they ultimately dont win, or win very little

 

[Icecweam7]

Sharing is caring. Hope this will happen. Also Valve how about sharing some HL3 info?