Can you sell games you bought digitally?

Can You Sell Games You Bought Digitally?

With the rise of digital game sales, many gamers have raised questions about the legitimacy of selling digital games they no longer need or use. In this article, we’ll delve into the answer to this question, exploring the legalities, gray areas, and the possible solutions for those who want to sell their digital games.

Can You Legally Sell Digital Games?

The short answer is no, at least not in the classical sense. When you buy a digital game, you are actually purchasing a license to use the game, not the game itself. This means that the copyright holders retain ownership of the game, and you can only access the game as long as you have a valid account with the game’s developer or publisher.

In this regard, selling a digital game is against the terms of service set by the game’s developers or publishers. For instance, Steam’s user agreement clearly states that "Steam" means the Steam Client and all of the related technology, services, and applications offered by Valve Corporation," which includes the digital game purchases. This implies that once you purchase a game through Steam, you only have a license to access it, and not actual ownership.

Exceptions: Special Cases

However, there are some exceptional cases where digital games can be sold, but with certain conditions. For example:

• Subscription-based services: If a game is offered as part of a subscription service like Xbox Game Pass or Apple Arcade, you may be able to gift the game to someone else. However, this requires prior approval from the game’s developer or publisher.
• Closed-platform stores: Some digital storefronts like the PlayStation Store or Xbox Store may have their own rules for re-gifting digital games within the same account.
• Account migration: If you have multiple accounts, you can merge them, and sell or transfer the unwanted digital games to another account. This is only possible with developer-approved game services.

Alternative Options: Sell Digital Games as Services

In cases where direct sales of digital games are not permitted, there are alternative solutions that allow you to monetize your digital games:

• Gift the game: Give the game to someone you know or join online gaming communities and gift games to fellow gamers.
• Trade for other digital goods: Use digital currency trading platforms to exchange digital goods, including games, with other players.
• Create content: Utilize the game as inspiration to create content like Let’s Plays, walkthroughs, or art pieces and monetize your creativity.

Resale Platforms: Buying and Selling Digital Games

If you still want to sell digital games, you can utilize third-party marketplaces that specialize in digital game sales:

• Gaming forums and online communities: Many online gaming forums and communities allow you to buy and sell digital games among members.
• Digital currency marketplaces: Platforms like Ethereum and Bitcoin offer crypto-asset trading where digital games can be listed as commodities.
• RoboCop: Robot Cache, a digital games marketplace, allows you to sell downloadable games (without the physical box and content) to other gamers.

Digital Game Selling Pros and Cons

When selling digital games, be aware of the pros and cons:

In conclusion, digital games cannot be sold in the classical sense due to licensing agreements. However, there are alternative methods and platforms that allow gamers to monetize their digital game collections, albeit with certain limitations and risks. As the digital game landscape continues to evolve, we can expect more flexible solutions and platforms to emerge.