Gameshare on Steam: Save Money and Play More Games
Steam, the undisputed king of PC gaming distribution, offers a vast library of titles ranging from indie gems to AAA blockbusters. But building a comprehensive gaming library can be a costly endeavor. Enter Steam Family Sharing, a feature designed to alleviate some of the financial burden while simultaneously expanding your gaming horizons. This article will delve deep into the mechanics of Steam Family Sharing, exploring its benefits, limitations, and offering a comprehensive guide to maximizing its potential.
What is Steam Family Sharing?
Steam Family Sharing is a system that allows authorized users to share their Steam game libraries with others. Think of it as a digital lending library for your games. You can authorize up to five other Steam accounts and up to ten devices to access your games. This doesn’t mean everyone can play your games simultaneously; more on that later. It allows friends and family to play your games while you’re not using them, effectively multiplying the value of your game purchases.
How Does Steam Family Sharing Work?
The process is relatively straightforward, involving authorization on both the lender’s and borrower’s computers. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
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Enable Steam Guard Security: Both the lender and borrower must have Steam Guard enabled on their accounts. This two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security and is essential for Family Sharing.
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Authorize the Borrower’s Computer: Log into your Steam account on the computer you want to authorize for sharing. Navigate to Steam > Settings > Family (under the Family View heading), and check the box next to the account you want to authorize. You can authorize up to ten devices across five accounts.
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Borrower Login: The borrower logs into their own Steam account on the authorized computer. They will now see your shared library alongside their own.
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Game Access: The borrower can now download and play games from your library. However, only one person can access the shared library at a time. If the lender starts playing a game, the borrower will be given a few minutes to save their progress before being kicked off.
The Benefits of Steam Family Sharing:
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Cost Savings: The most obvious advantage is the potential for significant cost savings. By sharing libraries, friends and family can access a wider range of games without purchasing them individually. This is particularly beneficial for households with multiple gamers.
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Discover New Games: Family Sharing allows you to try out games you might not otherwise have considered buying, broadening your gaming horizons and potentially uncovering new favorites.
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Play Together: While simultaneous play from the shared library isn’t supported, Family Sharing can facilitate cooperative gaming by allowing friends or family members to access the same game without requiring separate purchases.
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Convenient Access: For those who frequently travel or use multiple computers, Family Sharing provides convenient access to their games without needing to re-download and install them on every machine.
Limitations of Steam Family Sharing:
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Single User Access: The biggest limitation is the inability for multiple users to access the shared library simultaneously. Only one person can play a game from the shared library at any given time.
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DLC and Region Restrictions: DLC purchased for a shared game is only accessible if the borrower also owns the base game. Regional restrictions can also prevent sharing certain games in some regions.
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VAC-Banned Games: VAC-banned games cannot be shared. If a borrower receives a VAC ban while playing a shared game, the lender’s account may also be affected.
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Online Play Restrictions: Some online games may have their own restrictions regarding shared accounts, particularly concerning competitive play.
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Trust Factor: Sharing your library requires a degree of trust. Ensure you only share with people you know and trust to avoid potential issues with your account.
Maximizing the Benefits of Steam Family Sharing:
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Communicate Clearly: Establish clear communication with those you share your library with. This will prevent conflicts over game access and ensure everyone understands the limitations.
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Prioritize Sharing: Share your library with those who will benefit the most, such as family members or close friends who share similar gaming interests.
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Coordinate Playtimes: Coordinate playtimes to minimize disruptions and ensure everyone has ample opportunity to enjoy the shared games.
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Stagger Purchases: If you and a friend are planning on buying different games, consider staggering your purchases. This allows you to share each other’s new acquisitions and maximize the value of your combined libraries.
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Keep Your Library Organized: A well-organized library makes it easier for borrowers to find and access the games they want to play. Utilize categories and tags to keep things tidy.
Family Sharing vs. Family View:
It’s important to differentiate Family Sharing from Family View. Family View is a feature designed to restrict access to certain games and features based on age appropriateness. While both features fall under the “Family” settings in Steam, they serve different purposes. Family Sharing is about library access, while Family View is about content control.
Troubleshooting Common Issues:
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“Game Unavailable” Error: This usually means the lender is currently playing a game from the shared library. Wait until they are finished.
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Authorization Issues: Double-check that Steam Guard is enabled on both accounts and that the borrower’s computer is correctly authorized.
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Game Not Showing Up: Ensure the game is not excluded from sharing in the lender’s settings.
The Future of Steam Family Sharing:
While the core functionality of Steam Family Sharing has remained relatively unchanged for years, Valve has occasionally hinted at potential improvements. Whether these improvements will materialize into features like simultaneous play or expanded device limits remains to be seen. However, the current system provides a valuable service for budget-conscious gamers and fosters a sense of community by facilitating the sharing of gaming experiences.
Conclusion:
Steam Family Sharing offers a compelling way to save money and expand your gaming horizons. By understanding its mechanics, limitations, and best practices, you can maximize its benefits and enjoy a wider variety of games without breaking the bank. While the inability for simultaneous play remains a significant limitation, the cost savings and opportunity to discover new games make Steam Family Sharing a valuable feature for any PC gamer. By fostering clear communication and responsible usage, you can unlock the full potential of this powerful feature and truly share the joy of PC gaming.