Question/ Suggestion for using the same account on 1 device and Deck.

[GeneralClayman]

Checking trough the forums and trying to find leads online, I can't find anything mentioning that using your account on a main device and a Deck and the regulations it brings when it comes to running games at the same time without turning off internet connections.

As some are asking for changes in Family Sharing, I'd like to cover something else:
Being able to link a main device (Which is in my case, and probably for others too, a desktop PC thats stationary, in a single room) to a single Steam Deck. In order to be able to have the deck being used/ online while the main PC is also in use, running a game on the same account.

I currently have a 2nd screen attached to a Switch which I play on during waiting times like queues, death respawns and in general while waiting for the return of someone i'm playing with. I'm planning on setting up a USB hub so i can connect the deck to the same screen and run ((better)) singleplayer games or those with local / P2P servers (Such as Besiege and Factorio) Now the issue is, I know the Deck itself just counts as a PC. You're currently unable to play something on 2 different devices at the same time.

My question to valve is to check in on the possibility to make a link between 1 specific Deck and your main desktop. Allowing only that specific Deck to also be online and have something running at the same time without kicking out the device that has/ had something running first.
I've read somewhere here on a steam discussion regarding FS that the system actually checks in on the distance between the main device (the one owning the game) and the device that has the account which is using said shared game, to see if they're actually in the same household. So I take that using this same system to see whether or not the Deck is close enough to the main device for it to be "allowed" to run another game at the same time would be a requirement to make this feature work.
What if I have my PC on and running something AFK while the Deck gets online over at a friends house? Take that you're out of range from the main device and it boots out the PC that (technically) isn't being used. In the event of the main PC not being ingame but the Deck is, it's basically operating as Valve is advertising it to do : You step away from the desktop and continue elsewhere on Deck.
What if I keep switching my main device and/ or Deck? Just like Mobile Guard being activated, set up an incredibly long cooldown when you're changing a main PC to the same Deck. I take no one switches between their standard gaming rigs every single month so having to wait 1 month (or more, your call ofcourse) before being allowed to assign a new "Main device" for the Deck to be linked with and needing to be near of.
I know for a fact that the possibility of linking / marking a specific device is already possible due to some anti-cheat systems that are being used by other companies. Bl*zzard actually marks your device and location if you're banned from their games, making it impossible to purchase and play the same game on that same computer on that same network. To assign 1 Deck and 1 main device being allowed to run the same account at the same time shouldn't be impossible with a similiar feature, but it would probably take some time and resources off of which you aren't inclined to use. I do not know how many others share the same idea as I have when it comes to being able to do "this"

Running multiple games at once is already possible (Atleast for plenty of singleplayer games) while also running something with an online connection on a single device.
While I understand disalowing the same game being played twice and that this feature isnt practical for stuff like Deep Rock Galactic, any multiplayer (competitive) shooter, MOBA, or on the same note why FS blocks out the use/ availability of some specific online games. The ability to leave a local server running on a game from steam, in my case mainly being Factorio, while also being able to leave that room with a Deck and allowing me to play elsewhere inside my house is something I'd like to see happen, seeing how I currently am able to do this with a Switch but as you all know, The same 3 games get boring and I have 30x more singleplayer titles on steam which would make the Deck fit that role better.

I know, running steam in offline or just getting DRM free titles off of alternate platforms is an option but eventually having to turn internet off and on every time I want to play on both devices, being unable to play my RSI advancing factory-sim online/ keep a server hosted online and to bother with other launchers or stores will end up getting incredibly tedious.
Last but not least, I do hope that this "feature" will get mentioned by either valve or some other massive content creator before the thing releases, As I then know I wouldn't have to bother getting an expensive dock with a LAN connection port. I've been asking around a while ago too on this same subject in different discussions but, as expected, no one's got a clue and I take the mods don't venture in trough the hundreds of comments some of these get.

TLDR : Million dollar customer with million dollar question about allowing 1 specifically assigned deck to be allowed online// ingame with the same account that's running on a PC without kicking the other out. Had to post question here as it seems mods actually exist here and there are no normal means to contact CS or anyone else capable of answering this question

Edit: Thread is finished, last suggestion to lads from Valve is to look into allowing us to be able to download, installing and updating games while being logged in and online on deck while another / main PC is playing. Downloading ~20 games from steam is already gonna take a couple hours so being unable to play inbetween that time would be pretty lame.

Also noting that it being in sleepmode it might start updates automatically, I've seen the odd update frames steam has (on my end, atleast) for it to automatically update, I hope this wouldnt get interrupted on either device (main desktop and deck) when one of the two is ingame.

[Brian9824]

Literally read the family sharing threads in the top 5 posts. Those have all your answer

Something you know as you've posted in both of them

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/5501694039545367344/?ctp=7#c3155328042366885311

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3155328042366194542/#c3155328042366796183

[GeneralClayman]

Originally posted by brian9824:

Literally read the family sharing threads in the top 5 posts. Those have all your answer

Something you know as you've posted in both of them

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/5501694039545367344/?ctp=7#c3155328042366885311

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3155328042366194542/#c3155328042366796183

They don't. Family sharing is a different issue, I've checked on it before and on those discussions.

And forgot to note that my take/ question isn't mentioned anywhere else. Some reddit post asked the same thing and only got a standard answer about it booting you out because it's seen as a 2nd pc you're logging into. I'm actually suggesting a possible feature that doesn't rely on FS. Read before commenting next time

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

Originally posted by brian9824:

Literally read the family sharing threads in the top 5 posts. Those have all your answer

Something you know as you've posted in both of them

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/5501694039545367344/?ctp=7#c3155328042366885311

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3155328042366194542/#c3155328042366796183

They don't. Family sharing is a different issue, I've checked on it before and on those discussions.

And forgot to note that my take/ question isn't mentioned anywhere else. Some reddit post asked the same thing and only got a standard answer about it booting you out because it's seen as a 2nd pc you're logging into. I'm actually suggesting a possible feature that doesn't rely on FS. Read before commenting next time

Your the one that brings up family sharing

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

As some are asking for changes in Family Sharing

Again, it doesen't matter what devices are involved the rules are the same. Same limitations family sharing as what you are suggesting has the exact same issues to be abused by people sharing their accounts and games

[Suoy]

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

...only got a standard answer about it booting you out because it's seen as a 2nd pc you're logging into.

Maybe, because its acutaly a second pc

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

I'm actually suggesting a possible feature that doesn't rely on FS.

Changing a licence is not a feature. It's a process every publisher has to go through and i suspect that nobody would agree to getting less money from you. I must admit, - i don't see the problem either, because you only play on one device at a time. If someone else want's to play the game to (at the same time), they have to buy the game.

Sorry, - this has and will always be a thing.

[GeneralClayman]

Originally posted by Suoy (GER):

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

...only got a standard answer about it booting you out because it's seen as a 2nd pc you're logging into.

Maybe, because its acutaly a second pc

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

I'm actually suggesting a possible feature that doesn't rely on FS.

Changing a licence is not a feature. It's a process every publisher has to go through and i suspect that nobody would agree to getting less money from you. I must admit, - i don't see the problem either, because you only play on one device at a time. If someone else want's to play the game to (at the same time), they have to buy the game.

Sorry, - this has and will always be a thing.

Again, for both of you.
I'm not talking about using the same game twice. I know it counts as a PC but you'd think they're able to mark it as specifically being a different type of device. I brought up FS because that's the only current feature / system that checks a device on their location. Not that it's a different account trying to play games from a main account.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

Originally posted by Suoy (GER):

Maybe, because its acutaly a second pc



Changing a licence is not a feature. It's a process every publisher has to go through and i suspect that nobody would agree to getting less money from you. I must admit, - i don't see the problem either, because you only play on one device at a time. If someone else want's to play the game to (at the same time), they have to buy the game.

Sorry, - this has and will always be a thing.

Again, for both of you.
I'm not talking about using the same game twice. I know it counts as a PC but you'd think they're able to mark it as specifically being a different type of device. I brought up FS because that's the only current feature / system that checks a device on their location. Not that it's a different account trying to play games from a main account.

Family share does not check a device's location. No idea where you got that from.

Again the restriction is going to be the exact same as family share. You cannot physically play 2 games at once so its blocked. Allowing it leads to account sharing and its not going to be unblocked.

[GeneralClayman]

Originally posted by brian9824:

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

Again, for both of you.
I'm not talking about using the same game twice. I know it counts as a PC but you'd think they're able to mark it as specifically being a different type of device. I brought up FS because that's the only current feature / system that checks a device on their location. Not that it's a different account trying to play games from a main account.

Family share does not check a device's location. No idea where you got that from.

Again the restriction is going to be the exact same as family share. You cannot physically play 2 games at once so its blocked. Allowing it leads to account sharing and its not going to be unblocked.

You're just reading into possible issues and not any means to fix sai issue. If you actually read the post you'd have seen my take on how to counter possible account sharing.
They aren't inclined to just using FS with extra steps.

The main reason I keep going on at checking the possibility of this becomming a feature is because with their previous attempt at a gaming device it was a Steam desktop// console. The thing wasn't portable. We are now talking about a 700,- portable brick that could be marked and identified trough software as its own thing. I have already mentioned a means on how to check if the thing is being shared outside of ones household and how to handle someone like that sharing the thing. You arent sharing an account anymore, you're logged in on your own account, that Deck should only be able to do that with a single device, your main PC or whatever you use to game on that isnt altered hardware wise every other day. Steam already allows you to be logged in at the same time with another device, you just can't play games on it while being online.

The problem you're mentioning now is "eventually people end up sharing their Deck, that is bad!", hard to confirm that as being an actual issue because on that note you can ask "is me leaving my nintendo switch over to my family members also breaking nintendo's TOS because I am sharing my system and they arent using their own console and own games???" Again, sadly, if you actually read what I had posted, I'm talking about 1 main device and 1 deck being linked.

The only thing i forgot to note is the fact that currently, you cannot be ingame on 1 device and download/ update a game on another at the same time. I ain't sure about you but when completely going trough the 500GB storage I'm not gonna idly wait on everything to be downloaded before I play something on my main pc

[Brian9824]

Yes people are reading what your typing, your just choosing not to listen.

2 devices will NEVER be an option, there is no way steam can restrict it to prevent friends from sharing their accounts or even family from abusing it.

It's purposely designed to not allow that because you cannot use 2 devices at once. That won't be changed

[GeneralClayman]

Originally posted by brian9824:

Yes people are reading what your typing, your just choosing not to listen.

2 devices will NEVER be an option, there is no way steam can restrict it to prevent friends from sharing their accounts or even family from abusing it.

It's purposely designed to not allow that because you cannot use 2 devices at once. That won't be changed

Could you come with an example on how its possible to abuse that? Seeing how turning steam into offline mode already nullifies their use of "not being able to play on the same account while logged in twice". I came with a suggestion that might allow online to be used for just a Deck, a device that isn't gonna be as common as a normal desktop PC. You atleast made me wonder how many people "abused" their family sharing when it came to using a steam machine.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

Originally posted by brian9824:

Yes people are reading what your typing, your just choosing not to listen.

2 devices will NEVER be an option, there is no way steam can restrict it to prevent friends from sharing their accounts or even family from abusing it.

It's purposely designed to not allow that because you cannot use 2 devices at once. That won't be changed

Could you come with an example on how its possible to abuse that? Seeing how turning steam into offline mode already nullifies their use of "not being able to play on the same account while logged in twice". I came with a suggestion that might allow online to be used for just a Deck, a device that isn't gonna be as common as a normal desktop PC. You atleast made me wonder how many people "abused" their family sharing when it came to using a steam machine.

A small enough number that its acceptable to devs. Expanding that for more abuse and expanding the abuse outside of family sharing isn't exactly a smart move.

I mean do you really need me to spell out an example of 2 friends sharing 1 account and 1 playing on PC and 1 playing on Steam deck?

[GeneralClayman]

Originally posted by brian9824:

A small enough number that its acceptable to devs. Expanding that for more abuse and expanding the abuse outside of family sharing isn't exactly a smart move.

I mean do you really need me to spell out an example of 2 friends sharing 1 account and 1 playing on PC and 1 playing on Steam deck?

In the exact same house while it being different games? While there are millions of computers, I wonder how many Steam Decks are actually sold for that to be as terrible as you make it out to be. Could you come up with a means to bypass the idea of a network check or it being an actual different account? I've tried letting my aunt play a game trough sharing years ago, she lives in a different city though. using that game by sharing it worked once. afterward she was just kicked out of the FS by steam.

I'll say it once more : This feature I try to suggest to any dev to look into, or atleast to get an answer on by giving their takes why they're doing it or not, is not Family Share 2.0.

How do you want to abuse a system meant for a device with limited availability and how incredibly bad must you assume it to be for this to be out of the question?
When it comes to actually being evil and sharing games/ accounts, I can already ""share"" my account by having 1 PC run multiple games at once in this house, its a feature for the exact games i'm trying to get to do the same on the Deck without having to resort to turning off an internet connection to steam. I redirect one of my screens and allow a 2nd keyboard to work with some yeeyee program some lad came up with ages ago. I can even share a game online trough the feature called Remote Play. Its from steam themselves, you can technically share your account that way without being on your computer yourself.
Nothing they can do can reduce the current form of abuse people are working with when it comes to FS. You keep returning to FS as if thats the only thing steam has and can do when it comes to allowing the use of the games from 1 account on others.

Originally posted by brian9824:

I mean do you really need me to spell out an example of 2 friends sharing 1 account and 1 playing on PC and 1 playing on Steam deck?

You mean turning off the internet connection from steam from one device and the other being online? Something you actually cannot fix unless you hardcode all games to only be played online? Which is practically against the intended use for the Deck to begin with?

To make my suggestion even simpler, What if they made an exception to the very limited amount of Decks out there. Plenty of "big" online games already do not work trough when the same account tries to log in. you cannot run the same game twice (usually, some either dont give a ♥♥♥♥ and can and some require you to mess around with a launcher). The only thing you're basically allowing people to use as an alternative is to move to a different store/ launcher that has DRM free titles. They can't do anything about that either too, the Deck being a computer might have something pre-installed or programmed to counter piracy, it can't disallow you to just share the thing without using steam, while not their problem at that point anymore, if you care that much about devs losing out on money, that sure would end up being worse for them.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

In the exact same house while it being different games?

There is no way to restrict it to that.

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

While there are millions of computers, I wonder how many Steam Decks are actually sold for that to be as terrible as you make it out to be. Could you come up with a means to bypass the idea of a network check or it being an actual different account?

VPN's exist for that exact reason and are already used to bypass network checks, fool games into allowing LAN play with remote people, etc.

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

I'll say it once more : This feature I try to suggest to any dev to look into, or atleast to get an answer on by giving their takes why they're doing it or not, is not Family Share 2.0.

Dev's can't look into it, as its a limitation imposed by Steam. No dev has the ability to overwrite steam, and dev's don't read these forums

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

How do you want to abuse a system meant for a device with limited availability and how incredibly bad must you assume it to be for this to be out of the question?

The Steam deck is not meant for limited availability, again your making baseless assumptions. It's been proven time and time again that if you allow it people will abuse it, hence why gift packs are discontinued, why you can't store gifts in inventory anymore, why region changes in store are more strict now, etc.

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

When it comes to actually being evil and sharing games/ accounts, I can already ""share"" my account by having 1 PC run multiple games at once in this house, its a feature for the exact games i'm trying to get to do the same on the Deck without having to resort to turning off an internet connection to steam. I redirect one of my screens and allow a 2nd keyboard to work with some yeeyee program some lad came up with ages ago. I can even share a game online trough the feature called Remote Play.

Yep, those are fine ways to do so and physically limit someone being in your household, hence its acceptable.

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

Nothing they can do can reduce the current form of abuse people are working with when it comes to FS. You keep returning to FS as if thats the only thing steam has and can do when it comes to allowing the use of the games from 1 account on others.

Never once said they can reduce it, in fact I've repeatedly said its low enough to be acceptable, what your suggesting is taking the most abused aspect of family share and making it available to everyone outside of family share INCREASING the abuse.

Originally posted by GeneralClayman:

You mean turning off the internet connection from steam from one device and the other being online? Something you actually cannot fix unless you hardcode all games to only be played online? Which is practically against the intended use for the Deck to begin with?

Again that would be an acceptable loss and something the dev's are already aware of when they participate in family share, it doesn't mean increase it.

[GeneralClayman]

You came with good answers on my questions and why they (might) end up in disconfirming/ disallowing the existence of the feature i was suggesting. I won't be able to respond in depth to some of them due to me going off for the moment.

[GeneralClayman]

I can only comment on the Deck being in a limited availability because of the relatively "small" amout of systems that are going to be shipped out. Millions might have seen LTT's video on the matter, but a month or so after the pre-orders were launched, some people from the "post Q2-2022" queue got their reservations moved into Q2 2022. A 3 month decrease in waiting time. The amount of media produced isn't watched as much as "console reveals" from other companies. (All recent Deck videos from Valve have less than 1M views each. some reach into 800K). Their account on twitter has also comes down to ~100K followers (63K as of now, posts don't seem to hit a sixth of likes, others less than 1000). I took it as limited because the amount of following isnt as insane as any other company revealing big tech. They were probably expecting less though, in Gabe's interview he mentioned that this is some sort of test to see if these types of devices would be sold/ sought after, seeing how no other company dared to be the first to invest into Portable PC gaming. A tad later we got some small notice about them trying to find means to increase production so the people in late queues / outside of Dec 2021 don't have to wait half a year for them to get their systems. (Either IGN or TechRadar had an interview with a valve employee, you can still find the article if you look for "valve looking for means to increase Deck production").

With "Devs" i meant the developers over at Valve. I know game devs already don't give a ♥♥♥♥ so it's just up to Valve to make those decisions.

You got some good points and I hadn't thought about mfs using a VPN to cheese any network/ location scan.

The only thing i hope for them to do is to allow 1 device to be online and play games while the other downloads/ installs games. I can't imagine how aids it's going to be when I first have to wait a year for the Deck to download games, installing em, proceeding to main PC updating ♥♥♥♥, also booting you out. Or whenever it's in sleepmode, updating, kicking it out or my PC off whenever one of the two started updating at a random time.

That would be it then, RIP to the 2nd screen Factorio server.
Time to look into something else completely: What comedic software their SteamOSV3 might be running that would hinder me from doing something outrageously comedic at the expense of Epic Games.