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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Yes—but Steam Family Sharing does not turn one game copy into two simultaneous seats. With Steam Families, two family members need two copies of the same game to play it at the same time through their shared libraries, and the game must support co-op. For some local co-op games, Steam Remote Play Together offers another option: one host owns and runs the game, then streams the session to guests.
How co-op works with Steam Families
Steam Families is Valve’s current system for sharing eligible games among family members. It replaced the earlier Steam Family Sharing system and became available to all users on September 11, 2024. Members use their own Steam accounts, retaining their own saves, achievements, and other account-specific game data when playing shared titles. Valve describes the feature as intended for a household of up to six close family members. Valve’s Steam Families announcement and Steam Families FAQ explain the rules.
One copy means one player at a time
A family member can play a shared game when it is available, and another member can play a different available game. But one copy of a title can only be used by one person at a time. If two people want to play the same game simultaneously using Steam Families, the family library needs two copies. Valve’s FAQ illustrates this with Portal 2: two family members playing it at once need two copies.
The game must support co-op and be shareable
Sharing does not add multiplayer features. The game itself must offer co-op, and its developer must allow Family Sharing. Some games are excluded because they rely on third-party keys, accounts, or subscriptions, or for other technical reasons. Check the specific game’s current Steam store page and sharing details before making plans; eligibility can vary by title.
#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Two ways to play together
| Option | Copies needed | Game support needed | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Families shared-library play | One copy per family member who wants to play that title simultaneously | The game must be shareable and support co-op | Each player runs the game from their own account; one shared copy cannot serve two players at once. |
| Steam Remote Play Together | Only the host needs to own and install the game | The game must support Remote Play Together and local multiplayer or co-op | The host runs the game and streams the session to guests, whose inputs are sent to the host’s computer. |
When Remote Play Together can help
Remote Play Together is a separate feature from library sharing. It lets a host stream a supported local multiplayer game to invited guests, so only the host needs to own and install it. Guests can use controllers as if they were connected to the host’s computer; the host can also choose to share keyboard or mouse input. Valve introduced the feature in 2019 and described support for PC, Mac, and Linux, with guests connecting through supported Steam or Steam Link clients. See Valve’s Remote Play Together announcement.
This works only when the specific game supports both Remote Play Together and local multiplayer or co-op. It is not a substitute for native online multiplayer in every game, and the host’s stream and guests’ input depend on network performance and compatibility. A controller is optional; keyboard and mouse input can be shared where the host enables it.
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
Start a Remote Play Together session
- Check the game’s Steam store page for Remote Play Together support and confirm that it has local co-op or multiplayer.
- The host installs and launches the game on Steam.
- Invite guests through Steam’s Remote Play Together controls. Guests join the streamed session using a supported Steam or Steam Link client.
- Choose the input arrangement for the game, including whether keyboard or mouse input is shared.
Steam Families membership rules to know
Steam Families is designed for a household-sized group, not as an unrestricted sharing pool. Valve says it is intended for up to six close family members. Its FAQ also says an adult must wait one year after joining a previous family before creating or joining another, and each family slot has a one-year cooldown before a new member can occupy it. Adults may leave a family, subject to those limits. Check Valve’s FAQ for the current membership details.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
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