Steam skins & the use of third-party skin software

[AshyAsh]

Hey guys.

Just wondering on Steams conditions of the use of third-party sites/software to install Steam skins, is a violation of the Steam agreement we all took up when we made an account?

Any moderators or any of the public on these forums have an understanding of the use of skins from other developers?

Just wondering as I have stuck with the original skin since the beginning and fancied a change.

I do know there are groups specifically for the use of skin downloads. Just wondered if I went and searched in Google, "Steam skins" and installed one from one that isnt overwatched by Steam itself, if it would be a violation of my agreement.

[Scar]

Since you haven't bought or hacked the item itself but only changed the coding(with help from software) of the game and graphics, it is totally legal. In multiplayer, everyone still sees that you have the normal skin instead of that of what your actually wearing. So unless you buy the skin, you can't use it on multiplayer.

[ReBoot]

As long as you're sure that this third party software won't screwe you over, you're good to go.

[AshyAsh]

Originally posted by xScarCraftx:

Since you haven't bought or hacked the item itself but only changed the coding(with help from software) of the game and graphics, it is totally legal. In multiplayer, everyone still sees that you have the normal skin instead of that of what your actually wearing. So unless you buy the skin, you can't use it on multiplayer.

I haven't persued looking for Steam skins as of yet. However that is duly noted what you said. It's the change of coding I am worried about.

However, I don't mean multiplayer online skins as i understand your confusion, I mean your Steam overlay for the store etc. What you see on your screen. As If you go to steam>settings>Interface, there is only the default skin.

Meaning there must be some room for use of outside websites that allow you to install extra skins.

[AshyAsh]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

As long as you're sure that this third party software won't screwe you over, you're good to go.

Aye, there's always that risk element. But thankyou for your reassurance.

Searching on Google for "Steam skins" and using trusted Mcafee verified sites should help on installing extra skins. And i don't think it is a breach of Valve's agreement with you on undertakind an account.

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by AshyAsh:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

As long as you're sure that this third party software won't screwe you over, you're good to go.

Aye, there's always that risk element. But thankyou for your reassurance.

Searching on Google for "Steam skins" and using trusted Mcafee verified sites should help on installing extra skins. And i don't think it is a breach of Valve's agreement with you on undertakind an account.

Don't! Don't you ever tell people than an AV will keep them safe! What will keep you safe is not to use third party programs at all. Because you don't need them anyway to install Steam skins.

[shanqs]

Since subtle changes occur to the Steam UI often, most skins are outdated and poorly maintained.

Otherwise there's no issue using one as long as it's from a trusted source, I would never install a skin via exe.

[AshyAsh]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Originally posted by AshyAsh:

Aye, there's always that risk element. But thankyou for your reassurance.

Searching on Google for "Steam skins" and using trusted Mcafee verified sites should help on installing extra skins. And i don't think it is a breach of Valve's agreement with you on undertakind an account.

Don't! Don't you ever tell people than an AV will keep them safe! What will keep you safe is not to use third party programs at all. Because you don't need them anyway to install Steam skins.

Woh! My worries confirmed. Thankyou.

Is there someplace Steam has established for skins only? Like on this very overlay?

[AshyAsh]

Originally posted by shanqs:

Since subtle changes occur to the Steam UI often, most skins are outdated and poorly maintained.

Otherwise there's no issue using one as long as it's from a trusted source, I would never install a skin via exe.

Aye so you say go through Steam directly through groups and such for skins yes?

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by AshyAsh:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Don't! Don't you ever tell people than an AV will keep them safe! What will keep you safe is not to use third party programs at all. Because you don't need them anyway to install Steam skins.

Woh! My worries confirmed. Thankyou.

Is there someplace Steam has established for skins only? Like on this very overlay?

You're mixing up two things. Installing Steam skins from wherever is safe. Using third-party programs isn't. A Steam skin is, in the simplest form, a ZIP file. As long as the only thing you download is a ZIP file, you're perfectly safe.

[AshyAsh]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Originally posted by AshyAsh:

Woh! My worries confirmed. Thankyou.

Is there someplace Steam has established for skins only? Like on this very overlay?

You're mixing up two things. Installing Steam skins from wherever is safe. Using third-party programs isn't. A Steam skin is, in the simplest form, a ZIP file. As long as the only thing you download is a ZIP file, you're perfectly safe.

Thankyou for the clear-up. I feel much more reassured in going ahead with adding some new zip-file skins.

Thanks guys.