If I get a key for a bundle but I have some of the game what happens, can I still get the bundle?

[JonathanXD]

So I was wondering what happens if I get a key for a bundle but I already have some of the games will steam allow me to use the key or will I not be able to use the key. Because humble bundle is having a promotion for jackbox games but I already own 1,2,3 and 4 can I still get the key and get the other games I don't own

[?!]

You can still use the key to get the games you don't have. Any games you did own will effectively go to waste (if we're talking about a single key for all games).

[JonathanXD]

Ahh ok but it's humble bundle I'm paying 22 for like 8 games

[Si-Fi]

If you prefer, you could gift the keys of the games you already own to your friends.

[ReBoot]

Humble gives you a key per game, not one key for all.

[JonathanXD]

Is that how humble works ahh ok ty

[MancSoulja]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Humble gives you a key per game, not one key for all.

Not always, It depends on the publisher. Sega I know like to do their humble's 1 key per tier. Jackbox usually provide a key per game though.

[Kargor]

Also, it might not even be a consistent "per bundle" thing. The bundle might just mix package- and single-keys depending on what's available.

I have, occasionally, been surprised to get multiple keys for something that Steam sells as one thing (suggesting that such keys exist). While I don't usually care, at one point I got a "complete" package assuming that the additional base game would just be lost, but I got a separate key for the base game and the DLC package. Doesn't make much of a difference because I don't know what to do with the base game key, but still -- felt a little less wasteful.

[JonathanXD]

Hmmm so thats how keys work

[xarvn]

To add to what has already been said, when the key for the game you get in the bundle is a different version than the one already in your library, Steam allows actvation of the new key. For example, let's say you get a "Tomb Raider GOTY" key from the bundle whereas you only have the base game in library. Steam will allow you to activate the new key as if you never owned the base game because it is packaged with additional DLC. Your old key disappears and is NOT refunded. However from a cost perspective, often bundled keys with addition DLC are much cheaper than buying the additional DLC so people purchase the bundled keys for games they already have just to get the DLC.