Friend's Pass Very Confusing

[Draetor]

I'm about to play this anthology for the first time with a friend. Do I need to download/install all 6 titles of the game (the 3 games + 3 friend's passes)? Do I just need to download/install the 3 friend's pass copies? It seems like files are overwriting each other and it's pretty messy.

Once that is done, how do I get a friend to play? Do I send an invite in game, or does he need to buy/install the games too?

[Draetor]

I've already refunded the games. I was trying to figure it out and read a lot of comments about it doesn't work anymore (as it was some sort of promo a long time ago, but Steam still puts friend pass copies in your library).

The friend pass copies weren't even launching properly, had no achievements associated with them, and no product code. The code was available when I launched the real game copy. It was really confusing.

[binipped]

I'm confused. Does it not work at all anymore because it was a promo, does it work only one time/one playthrough with one friend, or just one friend and you can play through it multiple times together?

I just grabbed the game and the play together option was one of the biggest reasons I did so.

[Draetor]

From what I could tell, if you want to play co-op with a friend, all 3 of the games (the real games, not the friend pass crap) offers this in its natural menu options. Both you and the friend have to OWN the game though.

From what I read about the friend's pass, this was a promo long ago, yet Steam still pushes multiple copies of the game into your library called "Friend pass versions". When I installed these, they overwrote files from the original games, and then one of the games (I think the Medan one) wouldn't even launch. Just launches, then closes.

The CD codes came up when I launched the real games, not the friend's passes. So from what I've learned, these friend pass versions of the game are obsolete and Steam should remove them and avoid this fiasco.

[binipped]

Originally posted by Draetor:

From what I could tell, if you want to play co-op with a friend, all 3 of the games (the real games, not the friend pass crap) offers this in its natural menu options. Both you and the friend have to OWN the game though.

From what I read about the friend's pass, this was a promo long ago, yet Steam still pushes multiple copies of the game into your library called "Friend pass versions". When I installed these, they overwrote files from the original games, and then one of the games (I think the Medan one) wouldn't even launch. Just launches, then closes.

The CD codes came up when I launched the real games, not the friend's passes. So from what I've learned, these friend pass versions of the game are obsolete and Steam should remove them and avoid this fiasco.

Gracias!

[Draetor]

I know why you experienced that issue.

You downloaded the The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes and The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes Friends pass when you shouldn't downloaded friend pass version because you already own the game. The code comes from the main game, your friend after activating a product then use code downloads automatically the friend edition.

Steam should not throw 6 copies of the game into our library then. This is confusing and adds clutter. I never got to the point of a friend trying to join using the CD Code, where he/she will be able to play without owning the game though, so I cannot confirm. Everything I read stated both players need to own the game, and the friend pass was an old promo.

[Draetor]

Currently working on a guide on how to use it, haven't finished the guide yet because I been busy. Once my guide finished, I'll let you know if, it works or not. Even though you stated you refunded the game. So that way other people can see post and see for their selves if it works or doesn't work. I do have my guide published but it isn't done yet. Just been busy haven't got back to it yet plus got to wait for friend as well once we're both available. Once I'm done with what I'm currently working on I'll come back and finish guide.

I did have to refund the game within the appropriate time frame. I bought it for the sole purpose of playing with a friend who didn't own it, nor had any intention of owning it. I might think about purchasing again in the future for a possible solo playthrough.

[Raggedy Annie]

It seems the key that comes up on the regular version of the game is what you need to give to your friend. Once they enter that key it then allows them to download the friends pass version.

[Bristjan Bradnik]

For anyone looking for this in the future: go to your library hoa page and then under settings; manage. There press CD keys copy that code and send it to your friend. It worked for us.

[Juvator]

Originally posted by Bristjan Bradnik:

For anyone looking for this in the future: go to your library hoa page and then under settings; manage. There press CD keys copy that code and send it to your friend. It worked for us.

Doesn't work for me

[marky1124]

My friend and I found this confusing. Ultimately we got it to work. I bought the main game. I installed that plus the Friend Pass version. He did the same, although I think he only needed to install the Friend Pass game. When I start the main game it gives me a key, which I passed on to him. He used the "Add a game" -> 'Activate a Product on Steam' at the bottom of the Steam window to add the Friend Pass game to his Steam library using the key I gave him. That seems to be the only thing the main game is good for at this stage. Now both of us have a licensed version of the Friend Pass game. We both launched it. I invited him into a Shared Game and it worked.