Valve confirms your Steam account cannot be transferred to anyone after you die
Can Your Steam Games Vanish After You Die?
Valve has confirmed that Steam accounts and their associated game libraries cannot be transferred to anyone after the original owner's death. This policy was highlighted when a user inquired about including their Steam library in a will, only to be informed by Steam support that accounts are strictly non-transferable. This decision has sparked frustration among the gaming community, with some looking for potential workarounds, while others consider bypassing the rules by sharing login information, despite potential long-term risks of account termination. Valve's stance raises broader issues about the ownership and transferability of digital assets.
What potential risks did users identify with using the suggested workaround to bypass Steam's account transfer policies?
Users identified potential risks with using the suggested workaround to bypass Steam's account transfer policies. One concern is that an account being in use past the length of a person's average lifespan could trigger investigations by Steam. Once the company determines that the original user is deceased or no longer in charge of the account, it could potentially terminate the account as per their terms and conditions.
What specific statement did the Steam support staff make regarding the transferability of a Steam account via a will?
The Steam support staff specifically stated that Steam accounts and games are non-transferable, and users cannot provide someone else with access to the account or merge its contents with another account5. In response to a user's query about putting their Steam library in their will, the staffer said, "I regret to inform you that your Steam account cannot be transferred via a will."