Can I install Steam games on more than one PERSONAL computer?

CurseTheSky · 08-03-2009, 11:20 PM

I have three computers that I use for different reasons. Two are portable, and one is my normal gaming desktop. Right now I have Steam (and related games) installed on my desktop, but I'd like to play some of the games on my other computers from time to time.

Is it possible / legal / etc. (without getting my account banned) to install Steam and some games on the other computers? I have no plans to try to use Steam from more than one computer at the same time.

On the other hand, what would happen if I forgot to shut Steam down on my desktop, and connected to it with my laptop? Would I get a notice saying Steam is already logged in, or could they ban my account for just doing that?

Thanks.

brblx · 08-03-2009, 11:24 PM

yes, you can. i'm not sure on the specific rules, but i know using your steam account on different computers isn't prohibited. you just can't be logged in on more than one at once (shutting down steam should immediately log you out).

dj2004 · 08-03-2009, 11:25 PM

You can use the same account on multiple computers. You will only to be able to have one computer logged into Steam at a time, though. There may be a way to avoid this, maybe offline mode. And this answers your last question, you'll get kicked off Steam (logged off, not banned or anything) if you try to log on with the account already running on another computer.

CurseTheSky · 08-03-2009, 11:56 PM

Perfect, thanks for the info guys. Some co-workers want to get together for a L4D match, and I wouldn't mind having some less-demanding games available on my laptop for when there's nothing else to do.

BassBomb · 08-04-2009, 12:55 AM

Yup I do this..
I had it installed on my tv computer and my main computer (tv was just for testing but was installed)

Bateluer · 08-04-2009, 06:23 AM

Answer is yet, and offline mode allows you to play more than 1 at the same time. Be aware that some Steam games 'feature' SecuRom which comes with limited activations, which would still cramp your LAN party. I don't think L4D has SecuRom though. Its mainly EA and UbiSoft titles, which usually aren't worth paying for anyway.

WT · 08-04-2009, 10:59 AM

I tired to play L4D using three of my PCs, and after updating each and then taking it offline, then on to the next PC until all three were fully patched and updated and offline, I was unable to join a LAN game started on the first PC. Quite the bummer. If you are able to get it to work, let me know !!

CurseTheSky · 08-05-2009, 12:20 AM

Unfortunately (well, fortunately for me), I'm not planning on using the same copy of the game to play at the LAN. We'll all have our own copies; I just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any problems if I had the game installed on two computers are the same time. One computer will be sitting idle and disconnected from Steam, while the other will be taken to another location and used to blast zombies for a few hours.

Thanks again.

Adam8281 · 08-05-2009, 11:01 AM

Yep, I have Steam on my lappy and my desktop. When you log in with one computer, it will boot you off of the other computer, and vice versa.

mmntech · 08-05-2009, 11:18 AM

I think it depends on the game, but yeah, it's tied to your account not the computer.