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What does Steam mean by “license”?
In October 2024, Ars Technica reported that Steam’s cart displayed: “A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam.” The notice linked to Steam’s Subscriber Agreement. That is a reported interface observation, not a guarantee that every region, device, or checkout flow currently displays identical wording. Ars Technica’s report and the agreement linked from checkout provide the context.
In the agreement, Valve calls games and other material accessed or downloaded through Steam “Content and Services.” The rights to access or use that material are “Subscriptions.” In practical terms, buying a Steam game grants permission to use that content under the applicable terms; it does not describe ownership of a copy that you can freely transfer to someone else.
What rights does a Steam purchase give you?
Valve’s agreement describes a personal-use right to access and use Content and Services. The precise terms can depend on the subscription or individual game, so the agreement is a starting point rather than a complete answer for every title. Read the terms that apply to a particular game when its use, account requirements, or other conditions matter. Valve’s Steam Subscriber Agreement sets out the general framework.
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- 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
Can you transfer or resell a Steam game?
The agreement generally restricts selling or transferring reproductions of Content and Services to another person without Valve’s prior written consent. It also recognizes exceptions, and a game’s subscription terms may add relevant detail. The checkout notice therefore should not be read as a complete statement of every possible exception, but it does not promise a general right to resell or transfer a purchased game.
Does a license mean Steam can revoke any game at any time?
The license wording alone does not establish that every paid title can be individually revoked at will. Nor does it settle how long a particular game will remain available or playable. Those practical outcomes can depend on the title and its services: for example, whether it relies on online servers, how offline play works, and whether third-party accounts or services are required. The cited agreement and checkout reports do not establish a universal answer for those cases.
Similarly, a license does not by itself tell you whether Steam, a game’s servers, updates, or offline mode will continue operating indefinitely. Check the requirements and terms for the specific title rather than treating the cart notice as a prediction about its future availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why did Steam add the notice?
October 2024 coverage by Ars Technica and Engadget connected the checkout wording to California AB 2426, described in those reports as a disclosure law concerning digital goods. Engadget’s report discusses that context. The coverage is not a substitute for the current statutory text, so it does not support detailed claims here about the law’s scope, exceptions, penalties, or legal effect.
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Best Value
- 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.
Rank #4
- 512 GB NVMe SSD: Fast storage for quicker game load times and space for larger game libraries.
- OLED Display: 1200x800 resolution with deep contrasts and vibrant colors for a captivating visual experience.
- Custom AMD APU: Power-efficient Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU for desktop-level gaming performance.
- Expandable Storage: Add more space with a microSD card slot, ensuring you can bring even more games with you.
- Versatile Controls: With built-in thumbsticks, trackpads, and touchscreen controls, you have full control over your gaming experience.
Rank #3
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
