Bought Legendary, gave my vanilla game to a friend.. he can't play

[Volt]

Exactly like the title says. A while ago I was able to buy the Legendary Edition for a very cheap price (23 euros), which I did, despite owning the vanilla version already. My friend really likes Skyrim, occasionally dropping by solely to play Skyrim. Obviously, I handed him my old game so he could -try- and play it on his old laptop. apparantly installing it worked fine, but whenever he wants to play the game, Steam pops up and prevents him from playing it because apparantly the keycode is already registered.

How do I fix this on my end, because I'm extremely annoyed that my buddy cant play a single, off-line game because steam apparantly has it registered on my computer. (the hell is steam doing bothering people with this crap anyway?)

[ShocksVR #AirLink]

Because you own both copies of Skyrim

[Nijn]

Sorry, the game is registered to your account and you can't just 'give' it away.

[jaderive]

Yes, unfortunately its a one time use code , not sure u could even use your code to regisiter on his laptop, that may not be helpful, sry if is isnt

[O)))]

You can't just give away cd keys, its bound to your account forever.

That said, isn't this available now?
http://store.steampowered.com/sharing/

[mpd1958]

The only way that he will be able to play on his own pc/account is to purchase a product key which is the same as buying the game.

[Volt]

So... I got a Vanilla skyrim, for 40 bucks. I bought a Legendary edition with €45 worth of add-ons, for €25. The Vanilla version, which I no longer have any use for, I can't give away because apparantly it's not Bethesda being an ass about it, but 3rd party (online) software, which has no place whatsoever to tell me or others that I can't install a singleplayer, offline game.

How in the blazing ***** does that even moderately make sense?

[necro]

Originally posted by Michelrpg:

So... I got a Vanilla skyrim, for 40 bucks. I bought a Legendary edition with €45 worth of add-ons, for €25. The Vanilla version, which I no longer have any use for, I can't give away because apparantly it's not Bethesda being an ass about it, but 3rd party (online) software, which has no place whatsoever to tell me or others that I can't install a singleplayer, offline game.

How in the blazing ***** does that even moderately make sense?

Welcome to the mordern world of data copywright protection. You don't own the game you bought. You just payed for the privledge of using it. It's why you have to agree to a liscense agreement now. I mean, you can blame the companies, but pirates do their fair share to make these policies seem necessary. It annoys me, to, and makes me feel that my rights as a consumer have been infringed, but it's not like this is changing any time soon.

[Ziel]

You also don't have two versions of Skyrim. Since the game was already registered on your account when you got the Legendary Edition, you effectively only bought the DLC. You're still playing with the same key that you're trying to give to your friend.

[SpeedFreak1972]

Clearly someone who hasn't got a clue how STEAM works ... Yes you can share the game HOWEVER the game is and will always be bound to your profile.

[Volt]

Originally posted by Ziel:

You also don't have two versions of Skyrim. Since the game was already registered on your account when you got the Legendary Edition, you effectively only bought the DLC. You're still playing with the same key that you're trying to give to your friend.

So why was I required to add another keycode?


Speedfreak: I understand how STEAM works. And I understand it's a third-party program thats telling me I am not allowed to give my game, a legitimite, single-player, OFFLINE game no less, to someone else. because internet access is a MUST to install. Screw everything about that logic. "anti piracy measurements" is probably the given reason, well it didn't really help did it? Since you can STILL download an illegal version. All it does is bother people who got the game legitimitely, and if this is the way games are going to be handled then I might as well send my money to the developers directly, and download a pirated copy that I can download without all the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ around it.

[Mumbles]

You clearly DON'T understand how Steam works - you can gift games to friends that haven't been played yet - but once you boot it up - its yours & that is it.

Again - welcome to the modern world - it sucks but that's how it is. If you wanna trade used games - go play console ... oh wait? Didn't they jump on the bandwagon too?

[Ziel]

Originally posted by Michelrpg:

So why was I required to add another keycode?

Probably because it's another retail copy? Anyway, that key still only got you the DLC. Would be nice if they cleared your old key when buying the LE, but then they'd have to do the same thing for people who buy it directly on Steam.

[O)))]

As I mentioned above, why not just family share your accounts? Given its a family member, I assume you can trust him and viceversa. That way you can both play Skyrim with all DLC.

[Volt]

Originally posted by crapmonster:

As I mentioned above, why not just family share your accounts? Given its a family member, I assume you can trust him and viceversa. That way you can both play Skyrim with all DLC.

its not a family member. Its a good friend of mine.

Originally posted by Ziel:

Would be nice if they cleared your old key when buying the LE, but then they'd have to do the same thing for people who buy it directly on Steam.

This would be awesome, and apparantly far too logical to implement.

Originally posted by mumbles:

You clearly DON'T understand how Steam works

I clearly DO understand that Skyrim is Skyrim, and not Steam, and that apparantly steam is forced upon anyone who wants to install and play Skyrim, despite it -not- being stated or mentioned ANYWHERE on the actual box of either the original OR the Legendary edition. Which brings me to the problem I have with this entire situation: the hell is steam ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ about when it's not a part of a game I bought? The previous comment of "would be nice if they cleared it upon buying the LE edition" would have saved much frustration while still being an effective anti-piracy method.

Originally posted by mumbles:

If you wanna trade used games - go play console ... oh wait? Didn't they jump on the bandwagon too?

Achievement unlocked: Sarcasm level 1.


My initial question has been answered; there's no way to do this due to steam simply limiting this. I guess my friend will just have to download the game illegally, DESPITE owning a legitimite copy. because apparantly thats the way the system works now. Good job Steam.

[Mumbles]

Nope - still not quite getting it - I understand your frustration.

But Skyrim is a Steamworks game and am pretty sure it states this requirement on the box. Your friend does not own a legit copy simply because you gave it to him. The key for that copy was used - by you - and thus is tied to your steam for good.

If you hadn't unlocked the LE version - you could have given it to him and gotten him to cover the cost of you picking up the DLC here - but otherwise you are SOL.

No need for the hostility - several people have pointed out you're missing the point with how steamworks applies to unlocking games and you've just been kinda rude to folks who are just trying to explain the situation to you.