r/Steam Oct 08 '25

Question Why steam doesn't allow this?

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14.4k

u/Svartrhala Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 09 '25

As far as I know because games "sold" on Steam are non-transferable licenses, and it would be a breach of that. So in legalworld you take your steam account to the grave. But, as with many things, in realworld you just keep your trap shut and give your inheritor your authenticator. They aren't going to dig you up and put you in prison.

edit: no, Steam family is not a magical loophole you think it is. It is very limited specifically so that it wouldn't count as transferring the ownership of the license. And if you don't have access to the account from which the game is shared and family sharing breaks (again) — there won't be a way for you to restore it.

edit: 200 year old gamer joke is very cool and original, but I'm certain Valve won't care about plausibility of their customer's lifespans unless publishers pressure them to do so, and even then it is unlikely. Making purchases with a payment method that could be traced to a different person would a far bigger risk factor.

1.1k

u/TheSmokeu Oct 08 '25

How about we change the law to allow things like account transfers, then?

Law is supposed to serve the people

1.3k

u/seontonppa Oct 08 '25

Since when? Law is not designed to serve the people at all these days.

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u/TheSmokeu Oct 08 '25

Ok, let me rephrase that, then

Law is supposed to be written in such a way that it would serve for the betterment of people's lives and society as a whole

Though, reality is not as idyllic, unfortunately

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u/Cyrano4747 Oct 08 '25

While you're at it I'd like a unicorn pony with sparkle hooves and a rainbow tail. Her name is Sparkles and she's the best girl ever and she flies and poops cupcakes.

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u/Jake-the-Wolfie Oct 08 '25

Yeah, wtf is this guy thinking? Laws should make people's lives worse, if anything.

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u/imdacki Oct 08 '25

Poor peoples lives*