Valve’s Policy on Transferring Steam Accounts After Death Upsets Players

The significance of Steam profiles to their owners is equivalent to physical game collections, and the fate of these profiles after the owner’s death is a major concern for many. In a recent support message, Valve has acknowledged that transferring profiles after death is not an option, causing dissatisfaction among players.

As Valve has become the dominant force in the PC gaming market, the debate over digital-exclusive gaming has intensified. Recently, a unique policy implemented by Steam has caused concern among fans regarding the security of their accounts.

Valve has a strict policy regarding the use of your Steam account by anyone other than yourself. According to their official guidelines, your account is not transferable under any circumstances. Essentially, this means that your Steam account will cease to exist upon your passing, a fact that has sparked anger among players.

Steam support replies to gamer asking about leaving their account behind in a will after death they said no. — Valve/Steam

Despite being clearly stated in Steam’s terms and conditions, players continue to express dissatisfaction with the policy when a fan directly asks Steam Support about it. The sentiment is that the policy needs to be revised as people are not immortal and therefore digital game purchases should be transferable to their inheritors.

In the past, PC games were primarily distributed through Floppy Discs and CDs. However, as time has passed, there has been a shift towards digital downloads, with many individuals opting for convenience over physical media.

“One player expressed disappointment and concern about the decision made by PC players to choose digital, stating that it sets a negative precedent and has potentially dire consequences for all of us.”

The issue has sparked interest in how other companies handle accounts of individuals who have passed away.

“One response argued that this issue should be resolved through legal action. The commenter questioned why they were able to pass on physical game cartridges and discs to their daughter after death, but not their Steam account. They believed that individuals should have the freedom to transfer their digital possessions as they see fit, even though they understand the reasons behind the current restrictions. Ultimately, the commenter strongly believes that this should be allowed.”

Though the topic may seem somber, it is important to note that there is a simple solution: sharing your Steam account details with your family. This will ensure that your digital game library and in-game inventories are preserved. It is worth noting that Valve has a policy of not manually deleting old accounts, as stated by a representative in a forum discussion. Therefore, as long as your family has access to the account, it will remain active even after a long period of time, potentially over 100 years.