All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

This topic has been locked

Pille Jul 14, 2014 @ 12:28pm

adding a game to your inventory instead of the library

I have an activation key for a game I already have in my library. It's a key from a legit online retailer, not from Steam. So I don't have the option on Steam to buy it as a gift, instead I simply have a key. I'd like to add that key to my inventory so I have a gift ready. I know this was possible in the past by simply activating the key via GAMES --> "Activate a Product on Steam" - Steam recognized that the game was already in my library and put it into the inventory. However, the last time I tried that Steam didn't put the game into the inventory, instead the key just disappeared.

How do I activate a game key on my account directly into the inventory?

Something went wrong while displaying this content. Refresh

Error Reference: Community_9721151_

Loading CSS chunk 7561 failed.
(error: https://community.fastly.steamstatic.com/public/css/applications/community/communityawardsapp.css?contenthash=789dd1fbdb6c6b5c773d)

< 1 2 >

Showing 1-15 of 17 comments

Kargor Jul 14, 2014 @ 12:30pm

Originally posted by Pille:
I simply have a key. I'd like to add that key to my inventory so I have a gift ready.

Not possible.

Whether or not the key "just disappears" depends on the actual content of the key. The most common sitruation is with keys that contain multiple items -- anything you have will be discarded, and to my knowledge, this includes the case where you already own everything.

If it's just a single item, Steam SHOULD refuse the activation if you already have it. I'm not entirely confident that this really works in all circumstances, though.

I suggest you don't try it. You will NEVER get a gift anyway.

Last edited by Kargor; Jul 14, 2014 @ 12:33pm

HLCinSC Jul 14, 2014 @ 12:34pm

The trading market was flooded with fraudulent gifts outside of Steam's control so they limited it to their game gifts only in which you have the protection of being able to receive your traded items back. Even that was still greatly abused so it was changed to a one time good wikll gesture.

Kargor Jul 14, 2014 @ 12:48pm

Originally posted by HLCinSC:
The trading market was flooded with fraudulent gifts outside of Steam's control so they limited it to their game gifts only in which you have the protection of being able to receive your traded items back. Even that was still greatly abused so it was changed to a one time good wikll gesture.

That's just "bull", sorry.

First of all, if you turn a key into a gift and then the key gets revoked, how is that any different from buying a gift and revoking the payment?
I would love to turn unused keys into unused gifts, for the simple reason that it keeps things in one place (my Steam account), and somewhat protects against things like shops/sites getting cracked and having their keys stolen -- since the keys will already be in use they aren't really worth all that much.

Second, "good will gesture"? There is no f*ing way anyone can possibly know that payment for a gift that he's about to receive will be revoked later on, or that the gift was stolen from a hijacked account. If they don't want to undo the trades, which is no problem whatsoever since it's all in THEIR system, they should just disable *trading* for gifts completely.

Heck, they could apply safety measures like "you can't trade a gift for 30 days" or something like that, to catch some possible problems before the gift gets traded.

Now they have the "great" situation that if you get ripped off for the first time, you'll get your stuff back. If it happens a second time, the scammer wins because he gets to keep your stuff. Great job, Steam.

Last edited by Kargor; Jul 14, 2014 @ 12:56pm

Hex: Istential Crisis Dec 22, 2015 @ 3:28am

so basically, because i got two steam keys for games which i already own and have on steam from a different company in an email, both of which i bough fair and squaresoft.... i cannot use them or do ♥♥♥♥ all with them!?

Last edited by Hex: Istential Crisis; Dec 22, 2015 @ 3:29am

Perrywinkle Dec 22, 2015 @ 3:52am

Is because the gifts are part of steam,things purchased in steam,like an extra,games buyed outside steam is other thing,they give your code for steam activation,if you want a gift you need to contact the seller and ask for that.

t0xic Dec 30, 2016 @ 11:54am

Guys How to Turn My Bought game that I will gift For myself and Sell it To SCrap.tf

Arjay. May 23, 2017 @ 12:15am

How to add Steem Games to My Gift inventory?

Arjay. May 23, 2017 @ 12:15am

*steam

cSg|mc-Hotsauce May 23, 2017 @ 12:17am

Originally posted by Arjay.:
How to add Steem Games to My Gift inventory?

you can not do that anymore.

Arjay. May 23, 2017 @ 12:24am

Fml

#10

"توماس" (Tūmās). May 23, 2017 @ 12:34am

jeje

#11

Seljumnik Jun 5, 2017 @ 1:23pm

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

#12

Rather Useless Jul 5, 2017 @ 1:11pm

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:
Originally posted by Arjay.:
How to add Steem Games to My Gift inventory?

you can not do that anymore.

:qr:

When was that changed?

#13