Steam is a leading platform for PC gamers, offering a vast library of games and a robust community. Gifting games on Steam is a fantastic way to connect with friends, celebrate occasions, or simply share your favorite gaming experiences. If you’re wondering “How Do I Gift A Game On Steam,” this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gifting experience.
Gifting a New Game on Steam: A Step-by-Step Guide
The most common way to gift a game on Steam is by purchasing it directly from the Steam Store as a gift for a friend. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Ensure Your Friend Has a Steam Account and is on Your Friend List
Before you can send a gift, your recipient needs to have a Steam account. If they’re new to Steam, they can easily set up an account and download the Steam client. Adding them to your friend list is also essential for gifting.
Step 2: Add Your Friend on Steam
If you’re not already Steam friends, you’ll need to add them.
- Open the Steam client or go to the Steam website.
- Navigate to the “Friends” menu, usually found at the top of the client.
- Select “Add a Friend.”
- Search for your friend using their Steam username or friend code.
- Click “Send Friend Request.”
Once your friend accepts your request, they will appear in your friend list, and you can proceed with gifting.
Step 3: Locate the Game and Add to Cart
Find the game you wish to gift within the Steam Store. You can browse through categories, search for specific titles, or visit the game’s store page directly. Once you’ve found the perfect game:
- Go to the game’s page.
- Click the green “Add to Cart” button.
Step 4: Choose “Purchase as a gift”
When you are in your shopping cart, you’ll see two options: “Purchase for myself” and “Purchase as a gift.”
- Select “Purchase as a gift.”
Step 5: Select the Gift Recipient
A list of your Steam friends will appear.
- Choose the friend you want to gift the game to by clicking on their name.
Step 6: Schedule Delivery and Personalize Your Gift (Optional)
You have the option to schedule the gift delivery for a specific date, which is perfect for birthdays or holidays.
- If you want to schedule delivery, select “Schedule delivery…” and choose the date and time.
- Personalize your gift by adding a message. You can write a short note, a funny message, or a heartfelt greeting.
Step 7: Complete Your Purchase
After personalizing your gift and scheduling delivery (if desired), click “Continue.” You will be taken to the regular Steam checkout process.
- Choose your preferred payment method.
- Enter your payment information.
- Review your order and click “Purchase.”
Once the purchase is complete, the gift will be sent to your friend (either immediately or on the scheduled date). You will receive a notification when your friend accepts the gift.
Gifting a Duplicate Game on Steam (Less Common)
In the past, Steam allowed users to hold onto extra copies of games they already owned, often obtained through bundles. While this is less common now due to changes in Steam’s gifting policy aimed at curbing key resellers and regional price arbitrage, you might still have some residual duplicate game gifts in your inventory. Here’s how to gift these if you have them:
Step 1: Access “Manage Gifts and Guest Passes”
This option is exclusively available in the Steam client software.
- Open the Steam client.
- Click on the “Games” tab at the top.
- Select “Manage Gifts and Guest Passes.”
Step 2: Select the Duplicate Game to Gift
A grid will appear displaying any duplicate games or guest passes you have available to gift.
- Locate the game you want to gift from the list.
Step 3: Send the Gift
- Click on the game you selected.
- On the right side, click the “Send Gift” button.
Step 4: Choose a Recipient
You can either send the gift to a friend on your Steam friend list or send it via email.
- To send to a friend, select their name from your friend list.
- Alternatively, you can enter their email address.
Step 5: Finalize and Send
After choosing the recipient, click “Next” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the gifting process, which may resemble steps 6 and onward from the “Gifting a New Game” section.
Giving a Steam Wallet Code: The Gift of Choice
If you’re unsure which game your friend would prefer, a Steam Wallet Code is an excellent alternative. This allows them to add funds to their Steam Wallet and choose their own game.
Step 1: Purchase a Steam Wallet Gift Card
You can purchase Steam Wallet Gift Cards in various denominations: $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100.
- Go to the Steam Digital Gift Cards page.
- Select the desired gift card amount.
Step 2: Choose Your Friend
You’ll need to select a friend from your friend list to send the gift card to. Note that there might be restrictions, such as needing to be friends for at least three days.
- Choose the friend you want to send the Steam Wallet code to.
Step 3: Complete the Purchase
- Proceed through the purchase process, similar to buying a game for yourself or as a gift.
- Complete the transaction.
Once sent, your friend will receive the Steam Wallet funds directly in their account, ready to be used on any game, DLC, or item in the Steam Store.
Important Considerations for Gifting on Steam
- Friend List Requirement: Currently, you must be friends with someone on Steam to gift them a new game directly from the store. The option to gift via email for new game purchases has been removed.
- Region Restrictions: Be mindful of regional pricing differences. Gifting across significantly different regions might be restricted to prevent abuse of pricing disparities. Steam’s gifting policies are in place to ensure fair pricing and prevent key reselling.
- Gift Acceptance: Recipients need to accept the gift. If a gift is not accepted, it may be refunded to the purchaser after a certain period, depending on Steam’s policies.
- Gifting Back: It’s generally not possible to gift a game back to the person who gifted it to you.
Conclusion
Gifting a game on Steam is a straightforward process that enhances the gaming experience for both the giver and receiver. Whether you choose to gift a specific title, a duplicate game from your inventory (if available), or a flexible Steam Wallet Code, it’s a thoughtful gesture for any PC gamer. Now that you know “how do i gift a game on steam,” you’re ready to brighten someone’s day with the gift of gaming!
