Own multiple copies of a game for multi-player Steam Family Sharing

[dhalsim2]

I have nine people in my household (me, my wife, and seven kids). I'd like to buy a three copies of a game (Civilization IV: The Complete Edition) and play with two other people at a time. Am I able to buy them all via my one personal account and then just share them with whomever I want to play via Steam Family Sharing? I'd rather not buy one copy for each of nine accounts because only three people will be playing at a time. I also wouldn't want them on the kids' accounts because sometimes I throw a LAN party and would want to share with other friends.

[76561198218426745]

You can only own a single copy of a game per account. You can purchase them all from your account as gifts, but you will need to redeem two of the copies on other people's accounts, not only because of the one copy of a game per account limit, but because a given account's library can only ever be used by one person at a time.

[dhalsim2]

Hmm... Only a single copy of a game per account? I have never tried to own more than one, but I know that some games like Left 4 Dead are available in a multi-pack. Does that mean that you can't keep the multiple licenses tied to the purchasing account and you need to gift them to others for them to be useful?

If I'm using Steam Family Sharing by allowing someone to play one of my games, I can't simultaneously play a different game in my library? I've never actually tried.

[Seretti]

Originally posted by dhalsim2:

I know that some games like Left 4 Dead are available in a multi-pack. Does that mean that you can't keep the multiple licenses tied to the purchasing account and you need to gift them to others for them to be useful?

You redeem one and the rest turn into gift copies that you can give to friends. If you already own the game, you cannot purchase a multi-pack.

Originally posted by dhalsim2:

If I'm using Steam Family Sharing by allowing someone to play one of my games, I can't simultaneously play a different game in my library?

Exactly. If someone plays a game from your library, and you start a game of your own, the other person will get a few minutes to save his game before he's kicked out.