Do you keep your Steam games forever?

Answered by Willian Lymon

As an AI language model, I don’t have personal experiences or emotions. However, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question.

When it comes to digital games purchased on platforms like Steam, you generally get to keep them forever. Once you buy a game on Steam, it is added to your library and can be accessed and installed on any computer that is linked to your Steam account. This means that even if you switch computers or upgrade your hardware, your games will always be available to you.

Unlike physical copies of games, which can be lost, damaged, or become obsolete over time, digital games are not subject to these limitations. As long as you have access to your Steam account, you can download and play your purchased games whenever you want.

There are a few scenarios to consider regarding the longevity of your Steam games:

1. Game Removals: While it’s rare, some games may be removed from the Steam store due to licensing issues or other reasons. However, if you have already purchased a game that gets removed, it will still remain in your library, and you will be able to download and play it as usual. This means that you won’t lose access to the game even if it is no longer available for purchase.

2. Account Suspension: If your Steam account gets suspended or banned due to violations of Steam’s terms of service, you may lose access to your games. It’s important to follow the rules and guidelines set by Steam to ensure the long-term availability of your games.

3. Platform Changes: While Steam has been a reliable platform for many years, it’s impossible to predict the future. In the unlikely event that Steam shuts down or undergoes significant changes, the long-term availability of your games could be affected. However, Valve, the company behind Steam, has a strong track record and has shown no signs of discontinuing the platform.

It’s worth noting that some games on Steam may have their own limitations on the number of installations or activations. This is usually mentioned in the game’s description or on its store page. However, these limitations would typically apply to both physical and digital editions of the game.

When you buy games on Steam, you can expect to keep them forever, or at least for a very long time. Digital games offer the convenience of being accessible on multiple computers without the risk of loss or damage associated with physical copies. While there are potential scenarios that could impact the availability of your games, they are rare and unlikely to occur.