Guest Mode

[Pebble]

I did a quick search (all of 2 minutes!) for this but didn't seem to find anything like this already implemented or suggested before. So if it already exists, please ignore this post.

Anyway, with Steam Deck on the way, I thought of a thing that might be useful for it (and Steam in general), which is temporary Guest Accounts. After all I may be inclined to let someone use my Deck for a bit, but I don't want them to have access to my account, and they might not have their own Steam account at the time.

The way this would work is, first you create a guest profile which is basically a list of games in your library the guest will have access to, the same way Family Sharing works.

You then log in with your account on the device you want to let the guest use, then activate the Guest Mode, selecting which guest profile should be used. You could then hand the device (e.g. Steam Deck) over to the guest and let them have at it.

There would be no username or password for the guest account. You would need to create it by logging in with your account first. Once you switch to Guest Mode, there would be no way to switch back to the ordinary account again. You would need to repeat the log in process again for an ordinary account. Once you log out of the Guest Mode, there would also not be any way to get back into it without repeating the whole process. Guest Mode would only be able to play the games, but not have access to any other features of an ordinary account, including achievements.

It should probably also be possible to set a time limit on the Guest Mode, before it gets auto-disabled. Also it would be nice to have a list of all the devices you currently have Guest Mode enabled for, letting you revoke them at any time.

[Gilga ™ |Yonaguni|]

So another thread about free games?

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

That is how Family Sharing works.

[Brian9824]

So if you want that then make a 2nd account and family share to that and use that for your guests.

[76561198407601200]

Originally posted by Novice:

the same way Family Sharing works.

You've just answered your own question.

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

I think there's a Family View feature (not to be confused with Family Sharing) where you can let someone use your computer and only have access to some Steam features. For example, you can turn off store access and turn off access to select games.

In order to go back into your regular account you need to input a four-digit pin code.

[Watermelon {JESUS IS LORD}]

would be cool to have a guest mode (family sharing takes tinkering to get it to work)

xbox guest account just works out of the box, steam should be more like xbox if they are trying to compete with them imo

[notADuck]

I second this motion. It would be nice to have a guest account on the deck so your friends can use it without messing with your account.