Am I allowed to create a new account, make a purchase on it and then give it to a friend (that doesn't already have a Steam account)?

[Sput]

I'm interested in buying the Project Zomboid 4-pack to give away to some friends for multiplayer, however, because I already own the game I'd like to make the purchase on another account so I don't waste a copy.

Two of my friends aren't on Steam, so I was thinking what I could do was make an account for one of them, purchase the 4-pack on there and gift the other 3 copies away, then hand the account over to my friend. Will I get into any trouble for this?

[rawWwRrr]

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

You may therefore not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account, nor may you sell, charge others for the right to use, or transfer any Subscriptions other than if and as expressly permitted by this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use) or as otherwise specifically permitted by Valve.

Have your friend create the account. Then figure out a way to have them purchase the 4-pack to distribute to your other 3 friends.

[Nx Machina]

Each Steam account is associated with a single user. If you fall out with your friend/s you can claim the account back and any other games they purchased on that account would be yours.

Ask them to create a Steam account, buy the 4-pack on YOUR new account and you will receive 1 copy for you and you can gift the other 3 copies.

[B〄F Altonator]

It should be legal if you create an account for your friend but not sell it.
The same way parents create an account for their child sometimes.
Just make sure he is the only user of that account.

Some people need help setting up things like this (not good with computers etc) so it shouldn't be a problem.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by B〄F Altonator:

It should be legal if you create an account for your friend but not sell it.

Legality doesn't enter into it. It's a violation of the SSA. I can quote the relevant section of it again if you missed it the first time.

[B〄F Altonator]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Originally posted by B〄F Altonator:

It should be legal if you create an account for your friend but not sell it.

Legality doesn't enter into it. It's a violation of the SSA. I can quote the relevant section of it again if you missed it the first time.

Did you also miss the part where i said make sure he is the only user?

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by B〄F Altonator:

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Legality doesn't enter into it. It's a violation of the SSA. I can quote the relevant section of it again if you missed it the first time.

Did you also miss the part where i said make sure he is the only user?

How is that relevant? The act of creating an account and handing it to someone else to have is literally violating the SSA. Accounts are completely free to make and it's not something so convoluted to create that someone over the age 13 needs a second party to help them with.

[B〄F Altonator]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Originally posted by B〄F Altonator:

Did you also miss the part where i said make sure he is the only user?

How is that relevant? The act of creating an account and handing it to someone else to have is literally violating the SSA. Accounts are completely free to make and it's not something so convoluted to create that someone over the age 13 needs a second party to help them with.

So if i was dyslexic for example and i needed help creating an account, someone couldn’t help me with that? Lol, just make sure you use his details for the account and not your own. With his permission of course.

[J4MESOX4D]

If you create an account, use your payment method to buy a game, give the account to your friend and he uses his own payment method anytime in the future, the account will probably get auto-locked for fraudulent activity. You'd then have to explain to Support that you violated the SSA and then it will remain locked and your friend will have no game or account.

Let your friend(s) create their own accounts, buy the 4 pack and take the hit of losing one game and just buy another separately if needed. It still works out at a good deal especially in the sale.

[B〄F Altonator]

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

If you create an account, use your payment method to buy a game, give the account to your friend and he uses his own payment method anytime in the future, the account will probably get auto-locked for fraudulent activity. You'd then have to explain to Support that you violated the SSA and then it will remain locked and your friend will have no game or account.

Let your friend(s) create their own accounts, buy the 4 pack and take the hit of losing one game and just buy another separately if needed. It still works out at a good deal especially in the sale.

Yes, get him to add his own bank account, however you could also give him the money to buy the 4 pack. Win win that way.

[Mad Scientist]

Altonator please stop giving horrible rule breaking advice that is incredibly insecure to even recommend doing.

Each person needs, to make their own account so it's within their control. OP needs to purchase either in the existing account or a new one, and gift the remainders. Nothing else should be done.

Don't suggest things that can get people into trouble. Please stay out of the conversation since you don't know what you're talking about.

[B〄F Altonator]

Originally posted by Mr. Gentlebot:

Altonator please stop giving horrible rule breaking advice that is incredibly insecure to even recommend doing.

Each person needs, to make their own account so it's within their control. OP needs to purchase either in the existing account or a new one, and gift the remainders. Nothing else should be done.

Don't suggest things that can get people into trouble. Please stay out of the conversation since you don't know what you're talking about.

Gifting someone money so they can buy something isn’t rule breaking wtf

[Wolf Knight]

Originally posted by B〄F Altonator:

Originally posted by Mr. Gentlebot:

Altonator please stop giving horrible rule breaking advice that is incredibly insecure to even recommend doing.

Each person needs, to make their own account so it's within their control. OP needs to purchase either in the existing account or a new one, and gift the remainders. Nothing else should be done.

Don't suggest things that can get people into trouble. Please stay out of the conversation since you don't know what you're talking about.

Gifting someone money so they can buy something isn’t rule breaking wtf

gifted funds is not against the rules. but those funds will not count toward unlimiting the account.

[nullable]

Originally posted by Sput:

I'm interested in buying the Project Zomboid 4-pack to give away to some friends for multiplayer, however, because I already own the game I'd like to make the purchase on another account so I don't waste a copy.

Two of my friends aren't on Steam, so I was thinking what I could do was make an account for one of them, purchase the 4-pack on there and gift the other 3 copies away, then hand the account over to my friend. Will I get into any trouble for this?

Strictest interpretation of the rules, no you're not allowed.

Can Valve actually prevent it or police it? No, not really.

But it's still a bad idea because it would be possible for me to create an account for you. Store the creation information somewhere safe. And as mentioned, we had a falling out I'd have a very strong claim that it's my account. And while you personally may never do that to your friend, it's still a bad idea. Lots of people who imagine they're an exception to the rules are sometimes put out to discover they've been in denial.

And there's plenty of ways you can get the same result and protect yourself and your friend. Getting stuck on doing a thing just so, the way you want to, and ignoring the issues with your plan is at least a little bit selfish and misguided. You're doing it more for yourself than your friend in at least some cases.

After all in a few years is your friend going to be like, "That game (or games) was a nice gift, but it would have meant more if you had made the Steam account for me and given the account as a gift." I'm going to bet the answer is no.

[Sput]

Thanks everyone. I just discovered that Steam gift cards are a thing, which solves the problem of the 4th copy going to waste