2 Computers but not at the same time

[Malkaviel]

I guess I presumed he and his son had separate addresses. If it's in the same house, then yes.

 

[.Shane.]

Steam has been banning people for logging on from seperate IP's. I don't feel like digging thru threads to find it right now, but end result after deliberation is canceled account and refund. I don't suggest it.

This is wrong. If people are banned it would be for a different reason.

As noted in my post on the last page it is totally fine to use your account on different PCs. You just can't do so at the same time. I've done so myself. I have set up my steam account on my PC, my kids PC, my mom's PC and a friends (so that I can show him some of the games) and NEVER had any issues.

 

[flip]

So, what if you setup Steam/CiV on two computers at your house, behind the same router. Then you connect one to the game, disconnect it's network connection and then start playing the game on the other PC. Effectively playing both at the same time? Seems like an easy exploit...

 

[duxup]

So, what if you setup Steam/CiV on two computers at your house, behind the same router. Then you connect one to the game, disconnect it's network connection and then start playing the game on the other PC. Effectively playing both at the same time? Seems like an easy exploit...

You wouldn't need to do that. Just run Steam in Offline mode on one PC and you could run both at the same time.

 

[pulzar]

So, what if you setup Steam/CiV on two computers at your house, behind the same router. Then you connect one to the game, disconnect it's network connection and then start playing the game on the other PC. Effectively playing both at the same time? Seems like an easy exploit...

If you put Steam into offline mode, you can run as many computers as you want at the same time. It's only preventable through terms of agreement/laws/ethics.

Now, you lose online/multiplayer capabilities, which is usually why you'd want to run multiple computers at the same time, and that's why it's not an "exploit" that they worry about too much.

 

[Malkaviel]

I just went back through the posts I thought were relevant. They turned out being not steam, but rather issues with paypal validation. My mistake I didn't keep up on the threads to their finish.

Here was one..

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=386436&page=2

He thought it was an IP issue but later found out it wasn't.

 

[timtofly]

You wouldn't need to do that. Just run Steam in Offline mode on one PC and you could run both at the same time.

But not in multiplayer mode, He would have to have the second copy to do that.

 

[Maniacal]

You could try LANing the two comps. As said, it works to have one computer/steam offline an the other online (or even offline itself).

 

[duxup]

But not in multiplayer mode, He would have to have the second copy to do that.

Well yeah... the person I responded to suggested disconnecting the network connection so they could play at the same time so multiplayer isn't exactly on the table at that point.

I was just saying if you're going to do that you don't need to go as far as disconnecting the network.

 

[shadowplay]

As noted in my post on the last page it is totally fine to use your account on different PCs. You just can't do so at the same time.

Only he isn't asking if he himself can use it on more than one PC, he's asking if he can share it with somebody else (which can't be done without sharing your account, which is against Steam's Subscriber Agreement). These are two different issues. Pay attention.

From the Steam Subscriber Agreement:

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.

Source: http://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

However, assuming your son is in the same house, there's no way they can distinguish who's who, so you're almost certainly safe. Just be careful about logging in at the same time, especially if it's from a different IP.

 

[duxup]

Just a semi related bit of advice, make sure you're not storing your credit card in your steam account if you have someone else using it. I'm sure he's a good kid, but hey it might be worth making sure nothing happens

 

[Svest]

Only he isn't asking if he himself can use it on more than one PC, he's asking if he can share it with somebody else (which can't be done without sharing your account, which is against Steam's Subscriber Agreement). These are two different issues. Pay attention.

From the Steam Subscriber Agreement:

Source: http://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

However, assuming your son is in the same house, there's no way they can distinguish who's who, so you're almost certainly safe. Just be careful about logging in at the same time, especially if it's from a different IP.

Actually in the case of a minor it is a little different. The minor doesn't actually own the account he is using. It technically belongs to the minor's guardian. Same for the computer the minor will be using. So in order for the minor to actually use the account the guardian (in this case his father) would have to share the account information with him. A minor can't even technically agree to the Steam Subscriber Agreement.

So basically there is absolutely nothing wrong with putting Steam on multiple computers that you own, even if one of those computers is primarily used my a minor in your house. Its still your computer, your account, and you are responsible for it.

What you can't do is share your account with your neighbor.

 

[.Shane.]

Only he isn't asking if he himself can use it on more than one PC, he's asking if he can share it with somebody else (which can't be done without sharing your account, which is against Steam's Subscriber Agreement). These are two different issues. Pay attention.

No need to be rude.

Here's what the OP said:

I will not be able to play for a couple more weeks, but I want to let my son check it out on his computer.
After which I want to put it on mine.

If he likes it he may play occasionally after I put it on mine so I would like to leave it on both.

This by no means explicitly means sharing as you noted. The father could log on himself and then let the kid play. In fact, my children's PC is set up in just this manner (they're very young). They can't even run windows unless I log in.

 

[shadowplay]

I think it's safe to say to the poster of the OP that assuming his son is not logged in at the same time, he's fine, tough technically it might still be a violation of the SSA. I don't see any stipulation in the SSA regarding age.

Actually in the case of a minor it is a little different. The minor doesn't actually own the account he is using. It technically belongs to the minor's guardian.

Source, please. When I registered for Steam I don't remember needing parental consent.

 

[timtofly]

I think it's safe to say to the poster of the OP that assuming his son is not logged in at the same time, he's fine, tough technically it might still be a violation of the SSA. I don't see any stipulation in the SSA regarding age.



Source, please. When I registered for Steam I don't remember needing parental consent.

You did not show any ID either.

 

[Svest]

Source, please. When I registered for Steam I don't remember needing parental consent.

A minor can't sign a contract (except under very rare circumstances - this isn't one of them). The subscriber agreement is simply an electronic contract.

You might not realize you got parental consent, but the fact that they didn't take the computer away from you is actually a form of consent (assuming you were/are a minor). They are/were responsible for that computer.

 

[shadowplay]

(redacted)

 

[petritis]

Thanks everyone for the information.
It contains what I needed.

And for reference it will not be played at the same time in multiple places.
And yes he is a minor and very young but smart enough to give it a little try.
Any yeah I had problems with not having a password on cable on demand, so I closed that off after one bad charge (for a movie that we own the DVD of - oh well).