Borrowed DVD with a Steam-activated game

[woocash]

My friend just borrowed me a DVD with a game that requires activating via Steam. I cannot install it on my computer since the key has already been assigned to his account. How is it that he paid for the DVD, and he cannot lend me the game? Or maybe there is another way that steam allows to deregister the key on his account and register on mine?

[J4MESOX4D]

Modern PC games with DRM attached can only be activated on one account. The disc you have borrowed is worthless and is only useful for the owner of the game for re-installing or providing proof of account ownership. If you want access to the game (licence) you have to buy it yourself.

You can't share PC games these days. If you want to do that; get a console.

[Tev]

If you have some games on his library that scratch his itch, you could just Steam Family Share with him and have him share with you.

Then just play the game from his library; while he plays from yours.

Assuming the game you want to play from his library is one that supports sharing.
https://store.steampowered.com/promotion/familysharing

[woocash]

Thanks!
So if i understand correctly - buying a DVD is no longer paying for the product but rather for the license to use it only? So there is no point in buying BOXed versions of games to be able to sell them later on, because essentialy they are same thing as a electronic key, with the small benefit of not having to download everything over the internet.

[Tev]

Correct.

Considering just how many updates games get these days, unless you really like the box art or the physical edition is cheaper, there's hardly a point in getting a retail release nowadays.

[Theblaze]

Originally posted by Teutep:

Correct.

Considering just how many updates games get these days, unless you really like the box art or the physical edition is cheaper, there's hardly a point in getting a retail release nowadays.

Some people buying retail versions for collection purposes.

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by woocash:

Thanks!
So if i understand correctly - buying a DVD is no longer paying for the product but rather for the license to use it only? So there is no point in buying BOXed versions of games to be able to sell them later on, because essentialy they are same thing as a electronic key, with the small benefit of not having to download everything over the internet.

Exactly yep. There's not many physical PC games being produced these days either and the ones that are only contain a fraction of the main game and require updates regardless. GTA V for instance was 7 discs and still needed over 20gb of further updates plus much more. Only if you're a collector do they hold any real use and if you see any second hand that require the likes of Steam, Origin and uPlay, avoid. Some sellers also don't realise they cannot be sold on.

This site https://isthereanydeal.com/ lists every game and all retailers in the market so you can find some good deals on games you're interested in.

[Mikasa Ackerman]

Originally posted by woocash:

Thanks!
So if i understand correctly - buying a DVD is no longer paying for the product but rather for the license to use it only? So there is no point in buying BOXed versions of games to be able to sell them later on, because essentialy they are same thing as a electronic key, with the small benefit of not having to download everything over the internet.

correct , the only reason to get a physical game is if it for some reason is heavily discounted , i got some games like dishonored 2 like that was like 20-30€ for a special edition with some cheap metal plate showing some picture that was discounted during a time where steam didnt have a sale

like here
https://www.saturn.at/de/product/_battlefield-v-action-pc-1658572.html?utm_omedium=feed&utm_ocampaign=SE_3222_produkte&utm_osource=swogo

on origin it says 59,99€ or i could buy origin access , meanwhile the "physical" version (which for some origin games doesnt even contain a disk , just a key) is 39,99€ , if i wanted that game , i would get it from that store

but thats really the only use for physical pc games these days

[Washell]

Originally posted by woocash:

Thanks!
So if i understand correctly - buying a DVD is no longer paying for the product but rather for the license to use it only?

No longer? It never was that way, if you actually read and obeyed the terms the games were sold with. The only thing that changed, is that the publishers are now able to enforce those terms through the internet.

[woocash]

Originally posted by Washell:

Originally posted by woocash:

Thanks!
So if i understand correctly - buying a DVD is no longer paying for the product but rather for the license to use it only?

No longer? It never was that way, if you actually read and obeyed the terms the games were sold with. The only thing that changed, is that the publishers are now able to enforce those terms through the internet.

Even if the terms forbade selling used games they were against the law (at least in EU), so I could sell them legally.

[MancSoulja]

Originally posted by woocash:

Originally posted by Washell:

No longer? It never was that way, if you actually read and obeyed the terms the games were sold with. The only thing that changed, is that the publishers are now able to enforce those terms through the internet.

Even if the terms forbade selling used games they were against the law (at least in EU), so I could sell them legally.

You can legally sell the game, you cannot legally sell the licence.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Originally posted by MancSoulja:

Originally posted by woocash:

Even if the terms forbade selling used games they were against the law (at least in EU), so I could sell them legally.

You can legally sell the game, you cannot legally sell the licence.

The right of distribution is exhausted with first sale.
After that the whole license can be sold by the owner of the license, if thats done as a whole.

That was a court ruling in eu.

Steam accounts can not be sold though.