Why Does a Shared Steam Game Say Purchase?
When you share a Steam game with friends or family members, you expect them to be able to play the game without any issues. However, you may encounter a situation where the shared game says "purchase" instead of allowing the shared user to play. This can be frustrating and may lead to questions about what’s going on and how to resolve the issue. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why a shared Steam game might say "purchase" and provide some solutions to resolve the issue.
Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows friends and family members to play each other’s games on their own Steam accounts. This feature allows multiple users to share the same game library, which can be convenient for people who want to play different games but don’t have the budget to purchase them all individually. However, there are some limitations and restrictions on how the Family Sharing feature works.
Why Does a Shared Game Say "Purchase"?
There are several reasons why a shared Steam game might say "purchase" instead of allowing the shared user to play. Here are some possible reasons:
• Game Restrictions: Some games may have restrictions that prevent them from being shared or played on multiple accounts. These restrictions may be imposed by the game developer or publisher to prevent unauthorized sharing or piracy.
• Game Ownership: The game may not be owned by the shared user. If the shared user does not have the game in their own library, they will not be able to play the game, even if they have access to it through Family Sharing.
• Active Account: The account that owns the game may be active at the time the shared user tries to play the game. Steam Family Sharing only allows shared access to games when the account that owns the game is not active.
• Library Size Limitations: Steam has a library size limit of 500 games per account. If the shared user has already reached the limit, they will not be able to add new games to their library, including the shared game.
• Shared User Account: The shared user may not have an active Steam account or may not have set up Family Sharing correctly. This can prevent the shared user from accessing the shared game.
Solutions to Resolve the Issue
If you encounter the issue of a shared Steam game saying "purchase", there are a few solutions you can try to resolve the issue:
• Check Game Restrictions: Check the game’s restrictions to see if they prevent it from being shared or played on multiple accounts.
• Check Game Ownership: Check if the shared user owns the game in their own library.
• Check Account Activity: Check if the account that owns the game is active at the time the shared user tries to play the game.
• Check Library Size Limitations: Check if the shared user has reached the library size limit of 500 games per account.
• Set Up Family Sharing Correctly: Make sure the shared user has set up Family Sharing correctly on their account.
Best Practices for Sharing Steam Games
To avoid issues with shared Steam games, it’s best to follow these best practices:
• Check Game Restrictions: Before sharing a game, check its restrictions to ensure it can be shared or played on multiple accounts.
• Check Game Ownership: Before sharing a game, ensure the shared user owns the game in their own library.
• Set Up Family Sharing Correctly: Make sure the shared user sets up Family Sharing correctly on their account.
• Communicate with Shared Users: Communicate with the shared user to ensure they have set up Family Sharing correctly and that there are no issues with the game.
• Check Library Size Limitations: Check if the shared user has reached the library size limit of 500 games per account and consider cleaning up their library to free up space.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the issue of a shared Steam game saying "purchase" can be caused by a variety of factors, including game restrictions, game ownership, active account, library size limitations, and shared user account. By understanding the possible causes and following best practices, you can resolve the issue and enjoy sharing Steam games with your friends and family. Remember to always check game restrictions, game ownership, and library size limitations before sharing a game, and ensure the shared user sets up Family Sharing correctly on their account.