Steam, the popular platform for PC gaming, offers a vast library of games enjoyed by millions worldwide. If you’re looking for the perfect present for a gamer, gifting a Steam game is an excellent choice. While the gifting process has evolved, it remains straightforward. This guide will walk you through the current methods on How To Gift Steam Games.
Gifting a New Game on Steam
To gift a brand new game on Steam, ensure your recipient has a Steam account and is on your Steam friends list. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Verify your friend has a Steam Account.
If the person you want to gift a game to doesn’t have a Steam account yet, they will need to create one. They can easily set up a new account and download the Steam client. This is a quick and free process.
Step 2: Add them as a Friend on Steam.
Navigate to the “Friends” dropdown menu within the Steam client. Select “Add a Friend” and search for their Steam username.
Step 3: Send a Friend Request.
Invite them to become your friend. Once they accept your request, they will appear on your friends list, and you can proceed to send them a game.
Step 4: Find the Game in the Steam Store.
Browse the Steam store, either in the Steam client or via the web portal, and locate the game you wish to gift. Click “Add to Cart” on the game’s page. If you already own the game, you’ll see a clear option above the purchase buttons saying, “Buy this game as a gift for a friend.”
Step 5: Choose “Purchase as a gift”.
Select the “Purchase as a gift” option during the checkout process. If you already own the game, the “Purchase for myself” option will be greyed out, as Steam prevents users from owning multiple copies of the same game on a single account.
Step 6: Select the Gift Recipient.
From your friends list, choose the person you want to send the game to. Steam also allows you to schedule the gift delivery for a future date and time. This is perfect if you want the game to arrive on a specific occasion, creating a surprise for birthdays or holidays.
Step 7: Personalize Your Steam Gift.
Add a personal touch to your gift. You can include your friend’s name and write a custom message. Whether it’s a simple “Happy Birthday,” “Happy Holidays,” a heartfelt note, or a funny message, a personalized message makes the gift more special.
Step 8: Complete the Purchase.
After personalizing your gift message, click “Continue.” You will then proceed through the standard purchase process, just as if you were buying a game for yourself. Once the transaction is complete, the Steam gift is sent to your friend.
Step 9: Gift Acceptance Notification.
Your friend will receive a notification to accept the gift. Once they accept and add the game to their Steam library, you will receive a confirmation notification that your gift has been successfully redeemed.
Gifting a Duplicate Game on Steam (Legacy Method)
Previously, Steam allowed users to hold onto extra copies of games as gifts. While Valve has changed this policy to combat key resellers and regional price arbitrage, any leftover duplicate game gifts you might have can still be gifted using these steps:
Step 1: Access Manage Gifts and Guest Passes.
In the Steam client, click on the “Games” tab at the top. From the dropdown menu, select “Manage Gifts and Guest Passes.” This option is only available within the Steam client software.
Step 2: Choose the Duplicate Game to Gift.
A grid will display any duplicate games available in your inventory that can be gifted. Locate and select the game you wish to send.
Step 3: Send the Gift.
After selecting the game, look to the right side of the window and click the “Send Gift” button.
Step 4: Specify the Recipient.
You can send the game to a friend directly through Steam by selecting them from your friends list, which is a one-click process. Alternatively, you can send the gift via email by entering their email address on the following page. After adding the recipient information, click “Next” and continue from step 6 of the “Gifting a New Game on Steam” section for personalization and completion.
Giving a Steam Wallet Code as a Gift
Another excellent gifting option is a Steam Wallet Code. This allows your friend to choose any game they want from the Steam store using the prepaid funds.
Step 1: Choose the Steam Wallet Code Amount.
Steam Gift Cards are available in denominations of $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100. Select the amount you wish to gift. You can purchase Steam Wallet Codes on the Steam Store.
Step 2: Select the Friend to Send To.
Choose the friend from your Steam friends list who you want to send the Steam Wallet Code to. Note that the recipient must have been on your friend list for at least three days to be eligible to receive a Steam Wallet gift.
Step 3: Complete the Purchase.
Proceed to purchase the Steam Wallet Code. Once the purchase is complete, your friend will immediately receive the gift. Upon opening it, the funds will be instantly added to their Steam Wallet, ready for them to use.
Can I Send a Steam Gift to Someone’s Email Address?
In the past, Steam allowed sending gifts directly to an email address. However, this feature has been removed. Currently, to send a Steam game as a gift, the recipient must be on your Steam friends list. While this might seem like an extra step, it ensures a smoother gifting process within the Steam ecosystem and usually takes only a few minutes for new users to create an account and add friends.
By following these steps, you can easily and successfully gift Steam games to your friends, making their gaming experience even more enjoyable.
