Yes, you can buy DLC for a shared game on Steam, but only the account that owns the base game can purchase and access it.
Ever wondered if your game sharing extends to those shiny new expansions? The question ‘can i buy dlc for a shared game on steam’ pops up frequently among gamers. It’s a valid point, since game sharing is a great way to enjoy a vast library with friends.
Unfortunately, DLC purchases are tied to the specific account that owns the base game. So, if your friend shares a game with you, you won’t be able to buy its additional content. They would need to purchase it themselves.
Can I Buy DLC for a Shared Game on Steam?
Ever been excited to play a game with your friend through Steam’s Family Sharing, only to find you’re missing out on some cool extra content? You’re not alone! Many gamers wonder if they can buy downloadable content (DLC) for a game they’re borrowing from someone else using Steam’s Family Sharing feature. It’s a tricky question with some important details, so let’s dive in and explore how DLC works with shared games on Steam.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing
First, let’s quickly go over how Steam Family Sharing works. It’s a neat feature that lets you share your games with family members and close friends. You give them permission to play your games from their own Steam accounts, and they get to enjoy your library without needing to buy the games themselves. It sounds perfect, right? But there are some limitations when it comes to DLC.
The Basics of Family Sharing
Here are a few key things to remember about Steam Family Sharing:
- One Person at a Time: Only one person can play games from a shared library at a time. If the owner starts playing a game, anyone else using the shared library will get a few minutes to save and exit.
- Account Ownership: The games remain tied to the original owner’s Steam account. They’re just letting other accounts borrow them.
- Not All Games Are Shareable: Some games have specific restrictions put in place by the developers and publishers, so they can’t be shared using Family Sharing.
These basic facts of Family Sharing are crucial for understanding how DLC interacts with this system.
The Core Issue: DLC Ownership
The big question, “Can I buy DLC for a shared game?” really comes down to one thing: DLC ownership is tied to the account that buys it, not the game itself. When you buy DLC, it’s added to your Steam account, just like buying a game. It doesn’t magically become available to everyone who can play the base game.
How This Impacts Shared Games
Let’s say your friend, let’s call him Alex, owns the game “Awesome Adventures,” and he is sharing it with you via Steam Family Sharing. You love the game, and you notice there is a new DLC called “Mystical Mountains.” You really want to play it but the question is, Can you simply purchase it, so that it will work for you? Here is what will happen:
- You Purchase the DLC: You will be able to buy “Mystical Mountains” using your own Steam account. This purchase is tied directly to your account.
- DLC Access: After purchase, the DLC will be available for your character if you play “Awesome Adventures”. However, the DLC would not be tied to the game itself, but with your account.
- Alex, the Game Owner, Doesn’t Get It: Alex will not have access to “Mystical Mountains” when he plays the base game on his account, because he didn’t buy it. The DLC will be available only when you play on your account.
Multiple DLC Purchases
What happens if both of you buy different DLCs for the same game? The situation becomes more interesting. If Alex buys “Enchanted Caves” DLC, it is only accessible to Alex if he is playing on his own account. At this point, you will be able to access only the “Mystical Mountains” DLC you purchased and Alex will be able to access only the “Enchanted Caves” DLC he purchased, even if you both play the same “Awesome Adventures” game.
The general takeaway is, if you want all the content, you need to purchase it yourself on your own account. It won’t carry over automatically from shared library game owner.
Specific Scenarios and Their Implications
Let’s go through some specific scenarios to make things even clearer:
Scenario 1: You Want All the DLC
In this scenario, you, the user who is borrowing the game via Family Sharing, want to enjoy all the available content, including all available DLC. In order to do that, you have two primary options:
- Purchase all the DLC Yourself: You can buy every DLC individually on your account. This means every extra piece of content for the game becomes part of your account’s library.
- Ask the Game Owner to Buy the DLCs: The game owner, Alex, could buy all the DLC and then you’d both have access when playing. This means you might have to split the cost with him. This means the DLC is now accessible to Alex too, on his account.
Keep in mind, that if the game owner, Alex, purchases the DLC, and for some reason decides to stop sharing the game with you, you won’t have access to the base game nor the DLCs any more. In this case, if you want to play this game and enjoy the DLC, you will need to purchase the game and DLC again.
Scenario 2: The Game Owner Buys DLC
Let’s switch it around. Let’s say the game owner (Alex) buys new DLC for the game. Now, when Alex plays the game on his account, he has access to the base game and the new DLC. However, if you are playing the shared game on your account, you will have the base game, but you will not have access to the DLC. The DLC is still locked to the game owner’s account.
Scenario 3: DLC Bundles
Sometimes, DLC is offered in bundles or season passes. These bundles usually combine multiple DLCs at a discounted price. If you purchase a DLC bundle while using a shared game, all the DLCs within that bundle become tied to your Steam account, not the shared base game. This means the game owner will not get the DLC content, and you will not get DLC content if you play on his account.
Scenario 4: DLC and Multiplayer
DLC can sometimes affect multiplayer experiences. For example, some DLC adds new characters, maps, or game modes. If you are playing on a shared game, and you purchase the DLC, you will have access to new content, while the game owner will not. Thus, when playing together, he will not have the content, and you might have the content. This might create an uneven playing experience.
Practical Considerations for Players
Now that we know how DLC works with Family Sharing, let’s talk about some useful tips:
Communication is Key
The easiest way to avoid confusion is to talk with the person you’re sharing games with! Discuss what you both plan to buy, and if you are both happy to have DLC that only works on your respective account. This open communication is really helpful.
Make A Shared Purchase Plan
If both of you want to experience all the DLCs, consider making a shared plan. Perhaps you could take turns buying DLC or split the costs. This way, you each get to enjoy all the content without buying everything twice.
Consider a Full Purchase
If you are someone who plays the game frequently, you should consider purchasing the base game and the DLC yourself. This guarantees that you have complete access to the game and DLC whenever you want it, without relying on Steam’s family share feature. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the game owner accessing the game at the same time, and restricting you from playing the game.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Let’s look at some typical problems people encounter:
DLC Not Appearing
If you buy DLC and it doesn’t show up in the shared game, there are some basic things to verify:
- Check the DLC is Installed: Sometimes DLC needs to be downloaded separately. Ensure it’s completely installed.
- Restart Steam: A simple restart can often fix many minor issues.
- Verify Game Files: Use Steam’s “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option to fix potential game problems.
Game Owner Doesn’t See Shared DLC
This is, as we have mentioned, completely normal. The DLC belongs to the user that purchased it. If the game owner does not own the DLC, he will not be able to see it, when he plays on his account.
To see the DLC, you can play on your account which has the purchased DLC.
DLC Compatibility
Some DLC might have specific compatibility requirements. It’s important to check the DLC description to ensure it’s compatible with your version of the game.
Why Does Steam Do It This Way?
You might wonder why Steam doesn’t just let the game owner’s DLC carry over to the shared library. The main reason is to ensure game sales. If all the DLC was automatically shared between accounts via Family Sharing, then there would be no incentive for the player to purchase the DLC on his account.
The game developers and publishers would like to sell as many copies of the game and DLC as possible. It encourages players to purchase the game or DLC on their accounts for better access.
Understanding how DLC works with Family Sharing may seem complicated at first, but it’s quite manageable with a bit of knowledge. Remember, DLC is tied to your Steam account, not the shared game. Plan with friends, double check installations, and most importantly, enjoy gaming. This will make sure you have the best experience, whether you’re buying DLC for a shared game, or sharing the game with others.
How To Install DLC On Steam
Final Thoughts
You cannot directly buy DLC for a shared game on Steam. The DLC must be purchased on the account that owns the base game. Family Sharing allows you to play the game, but not access content purchased by a different account.
So, the answer is that you can’t buy DLC for the shared game using your own account. Remember, ownership is the key factor here. The game owner must purchase the extra content. ‘can i buy dlc for a shared game on steam’ is resolved.
