Valve have put up a short blog post detailing some changes to the way gifting games will work, as of today.
The first major change is how you send it to the other user, with the only option now being to send it directly through Steam. You can no longer buy up games and store them in your Steam inventory to give out later. I'm not sure of their reasons behind this, other than to stop people stocking up on copies of games while they're cheap. People will now likely just resort to places like Humble for that purpose.
Another change, which actually seems rather pro-consumer, is that if the gift is declined, the person who purchased it gets a refund instead of it sneaking into their inventory. I think that's a fantastic option in case of unwanted gifts, no one loses out. I'm actually quite impressed they did that, it's one change I'm happy with since I get a bit trigger happy sending gifts during the holiday season. It brings purchases as gifts on Steam more in line with physical copies, being able to return it if it's not right.
Gifting from one country to another has also been made simpler. If you buy a game for someone in a different country, the person receiving the game will be safe in knowing that it will work for them. However, if there's a major difference in pricing between the countries you won't be able to gift it to them. I guess some were using that to get around price differences, which is a little hole in their system they've closed. I've never personally needed to get around pricing myself like that, but I do understand in certain countries pricing isn't right, so I'm sure some will be unhappy with this.
What do you think to these changes? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
The first major change is how you send it to the other user, with the only option now being to send it directly through Steam. You can no longer buy up games and store them in your Steam inventory to give out later. I'm not sure of their reasons behind this, other than to stop people stocking up on copies of games while they're cheap. People will now likely just resort to places like Humble for that purpose.
Another change, which actually seems rather pro-consumer, is that if the gift is declined, the person who purchased it gets a refund instead of it sneaking into their inventory. I think that's a fantastic option in case of unwanted gifts, no one loses out. I'm actually quite impressed they did that, it's one change I'm happy with since I get a bit trigger happy sending gifts during the holiday season. It brings purchases as gifts on Steam more in line with physical copies, being able to return it if it's not right.
Gifting from one country to another has also been made simpler. If you buy a game for someone in a different country, the person receiving the game will be safe in knowing that it will work for them. However, if there's a major difference in pricing between the countries you won't be able to gift it to them. I guess some were using that to get around price differences, which is a little hole in their system they've closed. I've never personally needed to get around pricing myself like that, but I do understand in certain countries pricing isn't right, so I'm sure some will be unhappy with this.
What do you think to these changes? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
LinuxGamesTV May 5, 2017
Quoting: g000h...
2) If I buy a 4-pack game for £10. The single game is £4 (say). I then 'gift' and get the 3 gifted games rejected by the persons I gifted them to. Then that would mean I get £7.50 of Wallet Credit back in my account instead? Is "that" how it would work? ...
Yes exactly.
Quoting: Megazell...
I gifted a game that did not run properly on my cousin's computer - they were under the 2 hour mark and ask for the refund and I got the money back. Would this feature be the same in this new policy?
Yes.
Last edited by LinuxGamesTV on 5 May 2017 at 1:57 am UTC
0 Likes
Quoting: BeemerAs long as this is implemented, I'll only be buying games for myself from now on. That means no more four-packs either to give out copies later.
Well, the new system may not cover current 4-pack games. Those packs are designed to gift them later. But, two/three/four-pack system would be revamped as well; that might clarify your fears...
0 Likes
QuotePeople will now likely just resort to places like Humble for that purpose.
That does not work.
I have a group of 4-5 friends back home.
Sometimes we buy games for each other on humble to share and play online (especially on sale)
Numerous times we were limited to buying ONLY 2 copies each from Humble.
1 Likes, Who?
I hope that this won't hinder the possibility to receive uncensored or unavailable Steam games through gifts (I got an uncensored Half Life that way a few years ago). Although I don't know if this ever worked with unavailable games because I didn't have a need to try that yet.
0 Likes
UltraViolet May 5, 2017
Quoting: nitroflowQuoting: UltraVioletseems really good to be able to get the game into your library if its declined, but, hopefully you know the person your buying a gift for and if all would like it or not before you buy it :-)
Actually it won't show up on your library, it will be refunded.
I completely mis-read that bit didn't I :-)
0 Likes
If a game I already own gets ported to Linux, I buy a copy and store it in my inventory. I cannot gift it immediately because I don't have any friends using Linux, so that would be counted as a Windows sale AFAIK. So, what should I do now?
0 Likes
Quoting: ageresIf a game I already own gets ported to Linux, I buy a copy and store it in my inventory. I cannot gift it immediately because I don't have any friends using Linux, so that would be counted as a Windows sale AFAIK. So, what should I do now?
Gift it to me? ;)
No, seriously: I don't know.
Except for developers with their own store, of course.
0 Likes
Quoting: ageresIf a game I already own gets ported to Linux, I buy a copy and store it in my inventory. I cannot gift it immediately because I don't have any friends using Linux, so that would be counted as a Windows sale AFAIK. So, what should I do now?
Write the developers to put a donate button on their website. Or at least tell you where you can send them some extra "thank you" money. The usual reply "just buy another copy" won't work anymore. I honestly believe each developer should have such a button, because of sales and bundles. If they don't, they are losing money. I often want to pay some extra (but not necessarily a full price) as well.
Last edited by ripper on 5 May 2017 at 6:19 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
So that's why I had to go through hell to gift a game to my cousin last night.
I created an steam account for him, Then tried to gift him the game but he was not my friend on steam. And I could not add him as a friend cause you cannot have friends on steam unless you spend $5 or more on games. I was not able to send him steam funds either!
So I had add $5 to his steam account using my credit card, then add him as my friend, then gift him the game. It should be easier than this.
I created an steam account for him, Then tried to gift him the game but he was not my friend on steam. And I could not add him as a friend cause you cannot have friends on steam unless you spend $5 or more on games. I was not able to send him steam funds either!
So I had add $5 to his steam account using my credit card, then add him as my friend, then gift him the game. It should be easier than this.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: sasannSo that's why I had to go through hell to gift a game to my cousin last night.
I created an steam account for him, Then tried to gift him the game but he was not my friend on steam. And I could not add him as a friend cause you cannot have friends on steam unless you spend $5 or more on games. I was not able to send him steam funds either!
So I had add $5 to his steam account using my credit card, then add him as my friend, then gift him the game. It should be easier than this.
Agree with you completely.
But then again I can only imaging the sheer number of bot accounts that would pop up if they removed that 5$ limitation.
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me