8

The title pretty much says it all. If someone gave me a game, and I opened it for a few minutes to take a gander, can I still trade it to someone else? Or is it forever mine? For example, if someone were to gift me a copy of DotA 2 (not that I don't like DotA, it's just an example), and I opened it to see what was in it, can I still gift it to someone else?

Edit: Follow-up question: Can I have an opened copy of game X, but still receive additional copies of game X if I am, say, the middle-man for a Secret Santa or something of the like?

3 Answers 3

15

It's forever yours. Only gifts that have not been added to your Steam library can be traded.

Source: Steam Support – Steam Trading

8
  • Is that the final answer? Nothing can be done? Can I trade it using Steam trade?
    – user28379
    Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 0:38
  • 3
    Yep, final answer. Lemme add the official source… there. And no, it can't be retraded. Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 0:40
  • D'oh! I knew I shouldn't have opened it. Oh well.
    – user28379
    Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 0:45
  • so what was the game? Dota 2?
    – jonleech
    Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 0:52
  • 1
    @SevenSidedDie: Unplayed doesn't give the right impression either since you can't trade unplayed stuff if your inventory. You should probably just mention the choice and stuff. Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 16:04
6

On Steam, you have a Library and an Inventory. Your Library is the list of games you own and can play, but can't trade; your Inventory is the list of games you can trade but can't play.

If you want to play a game in your Inventory, you can add it to your Library, but games can't move in the other direction - once a game is in your Library, it's there forever and can never be traded.

You can view your inventory by going to Steam --> (Your Name) --> Inventory.
To add a game from your inventory to your library, click on it, then choose "Add to my Game Library" on the right.

..and I opened [the gift] it to see what was in it.

There is no such concept as "opening" a Steam gift. When you receive a gift, Steam tells you immediately what game you were sent, then gives you three options:

  • Add game to my Library. (This lets you play the game, but not trade it)
  • Add game to my Inventory. Steam removed this option in 2019
  • Decline (Returns the game to the gifter)

Can I have an opened copy of game X, but still receive additional copies of game X

Assuming you mean "If I have a game in my Library, can I also purchase/receive a second copy and put it in my Inventory?" the answer is yes, there are no restrictions on the games you can have in your Inventory.

0

If someone gifted you it and you've played is less than 2 hours and you've had it for less then 14 days it can be refunded but only under those circumstances. I got his of the steam help page

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.