Take the 2-minute tour ×

I own some Steam games I'd like to give away to friends as I no longer play them. Have I any options?

share|improve this question

3 Answers 3

up vote 15 down vote accepted

Pay attention that selling the account is not allowed by Steam Subscriber Agreement.

When you complete Steam's registration process, you create a Steam account ("Account"). Your Account may also include billing information you provide to us for the purchase of Subscriptions. You are solely responsible for all activity on your Account and for the security of your computer system. You may not reveal, share or otherwise allow others to use your password or Account. You agree that you are personally responsible for the use of your password and Account and for all of the communication and activity on Steam that results from use of your login name and password. You may not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account.

share|improve this answer
I knew it wasn't a simple process but hadn't realised that even giving my account away was a violation to TOS. So much for that then! –  monorailkitty Jul 9 '10 at 14:24
@monorailkitty Unfortunately this agreement does not allow to sell or trade your games. The good point of Steam is that it has a lot of cheap offer and weekend deals. –  Drake Jul 9 '10 at 18:00
I was wondering this! Very sad. –  gameaddict Feb 6 '12 at 2:58

The only way to send games to friends is in the checkout option, selecting Purchase as a Gift

Relevant section from the link above:

Can I gift games I no longer play to my friends?

You can not gift games that were previously purchased on your Steam account to friends.

Once you purchased it for your account, they are not transferable.

share|improve this answer

A lot of people are speaking to the legality of the issue, which is important. However, as far as practicality goes, yes, you can sell/give your account information to a friend.

This is against their terms of service, and I'm not advising it, but technically you can't sell your WOW account either, and that's common practice. As Drake pointed out though, you do have billing account info associated with that account, and if you don't change it or deactivate it, your 'friend' might start buying games and you'll have to pay for them.

share|improve this answer
The best bet would be to change your payment method in that case... or, you could marry your friend and then open a joint account and then there is nothing to worry about! Although then you are technically still paying for it, because it is joint $$ =) –  gameaddict Feb 6 '12 at 3:00

protected by OrigamiRobot Mar 21 '13 at 20:45


Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
