Rumor: Game Sharing Coming To Steam

[Steven Bogos]

Rumor: Game Sharing Coming To Steam

Some buried code in the latest Steam client update has revealed something known as the "shared game library."

The "family sharing system," of the Xbox One is one of its NeoGAF forums [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124711-Microsoft-Addresses-Xbox-One-Concerns] have dug up a few lines of code suggesting that PC gaming platform Steam may be about to beat Microsoft to the punch.

The three lines of code allude to something called the "shared game library." Here are the relevant parts:

"SteamUI_JoinDialog_SharedLicense_Title" "Shared game library"
"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."
"SteamUI_JoinDialog_SharedLicenseLocked_BorrowerText" "This shared game is currently unavailable. Please try again later or buy this game for your own library."


From this it seems pretty obvious what the system is about. It looks like you will be able to put games in a "shared game library," which you can then allow your friends (or family) to access. Obviously, you can't both be playing the game at the same time, so if you want to go ahead and play that title it'll kick your friend off it.

Don't believe us? You can actually find the three lines of code for yourself to verify. Here's how:

Update to Steam Beta. Steam > Settings > Beta Participation
Go to you Steam/Public folder
Open the steamui_english document


This sounds like some pretty amazing news if true. My friends are often trying to push various titles on each other, having the ability to just say "I'll lend you my copy and you can check it out," would be really great, and would ultimately lead to more copies sold.

Source: NeoGAF [http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595606]

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[ScrabbitRabbit]

This is one of two things the Xbone looks to be doing better than Steam, and Steam is stealing it! Add a system that lets us trade our retail games (and maybe disable the required patching of single player games?) and we'll be friends again, Steam.

Maybe.

 

[Bostur]

I think this is one of a few examples of a benevolent way to use DRM from a consumer standpoint. Great news if Valve chooses to implement it, and if it gets supported by publishers.

There are downsides as well, one could argue that this wouldn't have been necessary in the first place if the discs could be lended out. But the this digital solution makes lending more efficient.

 

[Steven Bogos]

I think this is one of a few examples of a benevolent way to use DRM from a consumer standpoint. Great news if Valve chooses to implement it, and if it gets supported by publishers.

There are downsides as well, one could argue that this wouldn't have been necessary in the first place if the discs could be lended out. But the this digital solution makes lending more efficient.

I don't know about you, but i'd much rather be able to instantly recall my lended game digitally, than have to deal with that one jackass who keeps telling you that he "forgot" where he put your copy of Rock Band

 

[PH3NOmenon]

Someone needs to post that slowclap gif. There's never been a more appropriate time.

 

[Teoes]

It would be flat-out hilarious if Valve had heard that Microsoft were going to put this feature in place, then set out to troll them by implementing the same feature themselves, first. Less funny if they'd actually had the idea earlier/of their own accord.

Either way, an improvement to Steam only makes my veiny throbbing love for them grow stronger.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

oh happy days, this is good nes, there are a few games i have on Steam just for when my son visits, if the PC he has can handle the games we'll be using this.

well done Valve

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well gosh darn it there is at least one benefit coming from Xbox, while Valve already talked about sharing features about 3 years ago they probably didn't intend to put it in place for another decade.

Now we just need someone to push them into second hand games, which is also one of their very old ideas.

 

[mechalynx]

Excellent! Maybe I'll be able to lend Bioshock Infinite to my husband.

 

[piinyouri]

Oh cool!
This get's nothing but my approval.

Course, it could all go terribly terribly wrong..
I'm not the most optimistic person but I'm trying here!

 

[Jamous]

I've always been fairly happy with Steam and so long as this is well done (which I have no reason to doubt it will be) I shall remain so. ;D

 

[wsmieszek]

Oh snap, and this is after Major Nelson asked "Can Steam do that?". Well... yes... it will be soon, because Steam is a platform that is easily upgradeable.

Now if they added a way to trade-in games that we absolutely hate (or a 1-2h return shitty product window after first launch) or don't want anymore, that would be cupcakes.

 

[Drop_D-Bombshell]

Someone needs to post that slowclap gif. There's never been a more appropriate time.

Did somebody say slow clap?

OT: It seems that Microsoft must have gotten one thing right, considering Valve is now using the idea for themselves. Course, it'll be hard to judge who did it better until Xbone comes out and someone does a report on it. though I am looking forward to lending some friends the Walking Dead. Depends on the process of this.

 

[gibboss28]

I think this is one of a few examples of a benevolent way to use DRM from a consumer standpoint. Great news if Valve chooses to implement it, and if it gets supported by publishers.

There are downsides as well, one could argue that this wouldn't have been necessary in the first place if the discs could be lended out. But the this digital solution makes lending more efficient.

I don't know about you, but i'd much rather be able to instantly recall my lended game digitally, than have to deal with that one jackass who keeps telling you that he "forgot" where he put your copy of Rock Band

Yeah...I've had friends like that. Prick lost my copy of FF9. Wanker.
If steam do do this (heh, do do) it'd be nice to see them allow you to set a time limit or something so you can say "right you've got it for a week, now get to it"

 

[Combustion Kevin]

"Hey, Gabe!"
pauses MLP* "What?"
"Microsoft finally gave us a reason to implement that sharing idea we had floating around."
"Alright, pull the programmers off Half Life three again and make it happen."

 

[Baneat]

Solves a serious issue with Steam's extremely restrictive DRM. No downside

 

[Imre Csete]

So, now all they have to do is shed some light on the Steambox and make this console war the most entertaining ever.

 

[Arawn]

This is shaping up to be a very interesting year. New consoles is one thing, but to see a possible new system for Steam? Definitely didn't see it coming. Well here's hoping things work out. But gotta be curious about when they'd try it. For that matter if they'll have some kind of cooldown. Don't want you lending/sharing games out left and right. MS has that 30 days on Friends. Maybe something similar?

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

It'll be interesting to see what (if any) restrictions or limits Valve impose on this.