Steam Beneficiary questions

Shaddup · 06-13-2012, 03:57 PM

My Steam library continues to grow everyday (faster than my 401K).

What would happen if I kicked the can tomorrow?

Is there an option to hand over my property/library if I cease to exist?

Gustave5436 · 06-13-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaddup

My Steam library continues to grow everyday (faster than my 401K).

What would happen if I kicked the can tomorrow?

Is there an option to hand over my property/library if I cease to exist?

Check the SSA:

Quote:

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.

AsheMan · 06-13-2012, 04:06 PM

Don't ask. Don't tell.

Sir_Brizz · 06-13-2012, 04:24 PM

Whoever has your password owns your account.

Okay, well, whoever legitimately owns your password owns your account.

Washell · 06-13-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustave5436

Check the SSA:

I've heard people claim that the legal transfer through a last will supersedes the SSA. I don't know for certain. OP, if you want a correct answer, contact support.

KSMF · 06-13-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir_Brizz

Whoever has your password owns your account.

Okay, well, whoever legitimately owns your password owns your account.

Nope, only the creator of the account "owns" the account, accounts can't be transferred in any way, if you do, and Valve notice it, they will lock the account.

In short, the account dies with you.

DeadRevenant · 06-13-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaddup

My Steam library continues to grow everyday (faster than my 401K).

What would happen if I kicked the can tomorrow?

Is there an option to hand over my property/library if I cease to exist?

This.. this is more something you should contact support about. Even though the SSA clearly states no distribution of your steam account for profiting purposes or to give to someone else not related to family bloodlines. I am not sure how it covers giving it in a will. Chances are it makes no difference.

Sir_Brizz · 06-13-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSMF

Nope, only the creator of the account "owns" the account, accounts can't be transferred in any way, if you do, and Valve notice it, they will lock the account.

In short, the account dies with you.

My point it, given the case of your eventual demise, Valve couldn't prove that someone else took over that account unless someone registered a complaint about it. Changing your nickname, avatar, description, facebook account, credit card, email address, etc is all stuff that is easy to do and allowed in Steam. There is nothing on my Steam account that links specifically back to me other than the keys of a few games I purchased at retail, my email address, and my credit card information.

Applebee · 06-13-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSMF

Nope, only the creator of the account "owns" the account, accounts can't be transferred in any way, if you do, and Valve notice it, they will lock the account.

In short, the account dies with you.

Do you seriously think anyone follows that link of thinking?
As someone else mentioned above, local laws supersede Valves SSA, so passing an account down in a will to a family member is allowed. Besides, how is Valve going to "find out" you gave an account to your son/daughter? Why would they care? I have never heard of anyone getting banned from letting a family member use their account.

Personally, I would never let my account "die with me". That would be silly and a waste.

Griking · 06-13-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaddup

My Steam library continues to grow everyday (faster than my 401K).

What would happen if I kicked the can tomorrow?

Is there an option to hand over my property/library if I cease to exist?

Unless your family notifies Steam of your passing who would really know who was playing your account?

Satoru · 06-13-2012, 10:34 PM

Steam has indicated that family members playing on the same account is ok. They don't want to prohibit legitimate uses like that, or the transfer of your account to your next of kin, or whoever you want to give it to in that kind of unfortunate event. What that clause is designed to deter is commercial enterprises taht are based on selling Steam game libraries to other users.

{Yotsuba} · 06-13-2012, 10:48 PM

In short, the account dies with you.

Someone asked this question a few years ago and the answer from Valve at that time was that the account can be passed on to a living relative.

Shaddup · 06-14-2012, 02:12 PM

I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad that my Steam Library has outperformed my 401k, but I feel what I have invested here should not go away if I were to.

How hard would it be to add an option for a beneficiary in our profiles?

azzonie · 06-14-2012, 02:19 PM

I am jealous of anyone who has enough time to worry about who will get the game collection when they die. I have real life actual problems that need solving. Having a hard time taking this thread serious as a result. Beside the answer to this question is so obvious it is impossible to not know and has already be answered, don't ask don't tell. It is so obvious I question your motive for starting such a thread.

BTW, games loose value faster then really bad 401k, fact.

TrippleD · 06-14-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzonie

Having a hard time taking this thread serious as a result. .

It's the same thread topic that comes up weekly.

06-13-2012, 03:57 PM	#1
Shaddup Join Date: Nov 2011 Reputation: 25 Posts: 22	Steam Beneficiary questions My Steam library continues to grow everyday (faster than my 401K). What would happen if I kicked the can tomorrow? Is there an option to hand over my property/library if I cease to exist?

06-14-2012, 02:19 PM	#14
azzonie Join Date: Dec 2003 Reputation: 387 Posts: 3,545	I am jealous of anyone who has enough time to worry about who will get the game collection when they die. I have real life actual problems that need solving. Having a hard time taking this thread serious as a result. Beside the answer to this question is so obvious it is impossible to not know and has already be answered, don't ask don't tell. It is so obvious I question your motive for starting such a thread. BTW, games loose value faster then really bad 401k, fact. Last edited by azzonie: 06-14-2012 at 02:24 PM.

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06-13-2012, 04:06 PM	#3
AsheMan Join Date: Jun 2010 Reputation: 2504 Posts: 2,802	Don't ask. Don't tell.

06-13-2012, 04:24 PM	#4
Sir_Brizz Join Date: Nov 2008 Reputation: 373 Posts: 2,162	Whoever has your password owns your account. Okay, well, whoever legitimately owns your password owns your account.

06-13-2012, 10:34 PM	#11
Satoru Join Date: Jul 2008 Reputation: 3146 Posts: 9,062	Steam has indicated that family members playing on the same account is ok. They don't want to prohibit legitimate uses like that, or the transfer of your account to your next of kin, or whoever you want to give it to in that kind of unfortunate event. What that clause is designed to deter is commercial enterprises taht are based on selling Steam game libraries to other users.

06-13-2012, 10:48 PM	#12
{Yotsuba} Join Date: Sep 2007 Reputation: 1018 Posts: 5,566	In short, the account dies with you. Someone asked this question a few years ago and the answer from Valve at that time was that the account can be passed on to a living relative.

06-14-2012, 02:12 PM	#13
Shaddup Join Date: Nov 2011 Reputation: 25 Posts: 22	I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad that my Steam Library has outperformed my 401k, but I feel what I have invested here should not go away if I were to. How hard would it be to add an option for a beneficiary in our profiles?