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[uncledonnie]

Maybe I'm reading wrong but this sounds nothing like what MS proposed. It's sharing on the same device, which PS4 and X1 already have.

Once a device is authorized, the lender's library of Steam games becomes available for others on the machine to access, download, and play.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Sounds interesting. Will be interesting to see how developers react to having their games shared....

 

[NIN90]

So the games can only be accessed on the same PC?

 

[BronsonLee]

Sounds nice and solid. Allows for convenience of trying games out, locks it down enough that it can't really be overused, but is still fair.

 

[Stone Ocean]

 

[Visualante2]

Seems friend is basically a family member under this system. I hope this doesn't get abused and reigned in.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

Yeah, must have been nice mailing games back and forth.

This is nothing like borrowing a physical copy from someone, come on man.

Think I might have misread the article, by shared device does it mean a single PC with a Steam account, or multiple PCs? If the former, is that not just a sub-account system?

 

[NullPointer]

Does this play nice with Steam's offline mode?

 

[rabhw]

I could be reading it wrong but this sounds like it is for sharing a library on a single device, and not to allow you to give your buddy access to your library on HIS computer.

This doesn't sound like too big a deal, more like a multi profile system for a single computer to allow for separate achievements etc.

 

[Interfectum]

lol

 

[No Love]

Steam won. Can't wait to try this.

 

[JaggedSac]

lol

Well that sounds vaguely familiar. "Family", 10 people, not at the same time. Gee, I wonder how they'll make sure that two people aren't playing the same game at the same time. What a draconian, anti-consumer move....

Another lol.

 

[Guevara]

I guess the Xbox One really was "just like Steam" lol.

 

[Stallion Free]

Maybe I'm reading wrong but this sounds nothing like what MS proposed. It's sharing on the same device, which PS4 and X1 already have.

Except it isn't.

 

[ridethepiggy]

Well that sounds vaguely familiar. "Family", 10 people, not at the same time. Gee, I wonder how they'll make sure that two people aren't playing the same game at the same time. What a draconian, anti-consumer move....

Do you have to be online even when not sharing? No? Ok.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

So this can't be used to co-op a game if I'm reading it right?

Nope.

In fact it seems like only one person can be using someone's library at a time. So if you have my account authorized on your machine and start playing Portal 2, but I log onto my account to play Left4Dead 2, even though they're separate games, it will still kick you off after a few minutes since simultaneous use of someone's library is not allowed.

Regardless, this is awesome and totally a step in the right direction. As someone who has 350 Steam games, I'm pretty sure my brother is going to be very excited he can play a bunch of my games.

Does this play nice with Steam's offline mode?

I highly doubt it, else how can they ensure only one person can use someone's library at a time? I would assume that if you go offline even when playing a single player game from someone else's library it will kick you out (probably after a set period of time). You also won't be able to start a game that you don't own while offline. So if you want offline access to a game, you need to pay for that game. Makes sense.

 

[artist]

hehehehehehehe

 

[Palladium Pen and Paper]

Which never was confirmed by others then insiders who could be wrong.

Not just never confirmed...60 minute sharing myth was flat out denied.

 

[vio]

It's all enabled by authorizing a shared computer.

Seems like a fellow GAFer has to use same pc if u want to share games. Or am i understanding this wrong?

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Maybe I'm reading wrong but this sounds nothing like what MS proposed. It's sharing on the same device, which PS4 and X1 already have.

I wouldn't say so if the FAQ is accurate...

s there a limit to the number of devices I can authorize to share my Library?
Yes. A Steam account may authorize Family Sharing on up to 10 devices at a given time.

So, if I'm reading this correctly, you can share games on ten different devices.

 

[ShaneB]

Incredible.

 

[SteveWinwood]

shit.

I think I joined the group at like 1100

So close.

I don't even have a family that would want to share my games.

Although it does say close friends.

I have some of those.

 

[Tecl0n]

So the entire library is locked if one is playing? Interesting.

 

[morningbus]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. A shame.

It's still a great feature but co-op is the way I'd want to use it.

It'd be a neat loophole, but it would effectively kill the benefit of co-op to the publisher -- that they get a second sale.

 

[statham]

Very cool , I will use this.

 

[Interfectum]

I could be reading it wrong but this sounds like it is for sharing a library on a single device, and not to allow you to give your buddy access to your library on HIS computer.

This doesn't sound like too big a deal, more like a multi profile system for a single computer to allow for separate achievements etc.

How much did you read?

Is there a limit to the number of devices I can authorize to share my Library?
Yes. A Steam account may authorize Family Sharing on up to 10 devices at a given time.

 

[SolsticeZero]

I love this idea. I've got a super vast library of Steam games that I rarely touch. I'd love to share them with my brother who can't afford a lot of games.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

This is very cool, means I'll be able to share my Steam games with my 2 kids and even my wife if I want to. I like.

 

[Randdalf]

All they need to do now is a button to convert your Steam games into vouchers that can be sold on the community marketplace.

 

[oVerde]

Microsoft, on your face.

 

[Shambles]

So the entire library is locked if one is playing? Interesting.

That's what the FAQ makes it sound like and that makes it waaaaaaay less useful. Way to get my hopes up Steam :S

 

[ultron87]

So if you're playing any shared game you'll get booted if the original owner starts up some random other game? That kind of limits how useful this is.

 

[antitrop]

Oh, this is huge. Been waiting for this for my brother.

 

[Palladium Pen and Paper]

All they need to do now is a button to convert your Steam games into vouchers that can be sold on the community marketplace.

What are you, the EU

 

[gdt]

NOT the same device people!

 

[AHA-Lambda]

OMG this is awesome

Next trade ins and rentals. Tomorrow the Steambox!

 

[Darklord]

LOL!

 

[massoluk]

Holy crap, 10 devices at one time? Time to share the gospel of Just Cause 2 with my stingy friends.

 

[zewone]

The present for the last 7 years on console :x

How do you figure? There's nothing like this currently available.

If you're referring to gamesharing on the 360/PS3, that is way more cumbersome and not an official service. It's more of an exploit.

 

[SteveWinwood]

So if you're playing any shared game you'll get booted if the original owner starts up some random other game? That kind of limits how useful this is.

Cheapskate can go buy it themselves

 

[Randdalf]

What are you, the EU

I'm a consumer rights group in Germany of course.

 

[uncledonnie]

Microsoft, on your face.

If anything this bodes well for prospects of Microsoft re-introducing it. Many here said publishers would never go for it.

 

[rabhw]

How much did you read?

I read the press release, but not the website. I suppose the press release is poorly worded then, but thanks for pointing out the other information.

 

[Jhoan]

Sweet. There's a lot of Indie games I want my more casual gamer brother to play so this is great news.

 

[r3n4ud]

I call dibs on being in xelios's family

 

[Broder Salsa]

Interesting.

 

[Stallion Free]

So if you're playing any shared game you'll get booted if the original owner starts up some random other game? That kind of limits how useful this is.

If it was per game, no one would buy games anymore. They have to keep a reasonable from a publisher standpoint.

 

[The Flash]

Man I hope MS can get their digital sharing program back on XBO.

 

[Timeaisis]

NOT the same device people!

Is it or isn't it? I'm getting mixed signals. The first time I read the FAQ, it seemed like you can do multiple devices. The second time, it seemed like you could only do one.

I'm not sure what to think about this. The message is a little cloudy.

 

[REV 09]

too bad pc's cost $4000.

Spoiler

pc leading the charge again.