I have two versions of this game; I want to give the 'digital' version to my friend - Need some help

Tegan

Hello,

So the story basically goes like this -

A long time ago I purchased a digital pre-order Imperial Edition of the game on release which came with all the bonus content. I was disappointed with the game at release, and stopped playing it as a result.

However, the game peaked my interest again recently and I saw a good deal on Steam for The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited. If this game had been on Steam during release, I would of paid for it on there only as I prefer to have all my games used via my Steam library.

So I need some advice. I would like to play this game with my friend, and I figured I had two versions - a Steam version & the original Imperial Edition digital download.

Ideally, I would like to use my original Imperial Edition account through the Steam version of the game which will be linked accordingly. I would then prefer to have my friend play using the digital download that I had but with his own account. So I wondered, if I download the game on his computer using my original account log-in (for the digital version), and I then create a new account on my new Steam version of the game for him, could I have him log-in using that new account that I make for him using my digital download on his computer whilst being able to link my account associated with my original Imperial Edition account for myself on the Steam version?

Sorry if this is confusing, I'm trying to find the best way of doing this. Ideally, I don't want to have to purchase the game again for a third time and I know I could just give him my digital version to use with my Imperial Edition account but, I don't want to lose all my pre-order content that I had on there. He won't be able to have access the Steam version of my game, hence why I want to give him my digital version of the game for use.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you!

Taleof2Cities

Though you certainly can link your digital Imperial Edition to Steam with the purchased Steam version ... the rule is only one ESO account can be linked to a Steam account.

Downloading the game on your friend’s computer, using your credentials, would be account-sharing and a violation of the Terms of Service.

Tegan

Oh, I see thank you for the response.

That wasn't exactly what I meant, I had the idea of when booting up the Steam version of the game, clicking create a new account, then downloading the game on his laptop using my digital version credentials. Then I was going to give him the account that I created using the Steam version. Then attempt to sign out of that account on Steam, and attempt to link my digital version account to Steam for me to play on, whilst he uses the account that I created via Steam using my digital version download.

I realize what I'm saying probably isn't even possible. I was treating it more like both versions of the game provide you with a 'license' for a new account on each. Kind of like providing a friend with a serial key for say Guild Wars 2, then buying it again for yourself. But I think if I created a new account for him using the Steam version, it would instantly link that to my Steam and I would be forced to use that new account through Steam regardless. We wouldn't be sharing accounts so to speak, I just had the intention of using the game I purchased for a new account 'license' to provide to him for use with my digital download (i.e. he boots up my digital download and logs in with that fresh account that I created for him using my Steam license).

I don't think this is even possible anyway, with the way that Steam integrates with ESO, so I guess I will just have to link my Imperial Edition to my Gold Version on Steam regardless and separately buy him another copy of the game to use for himself.

Taleof2Cities

Yeah, no.

Linking the two creates a one-to-one relationship for the account holder - you. Any use of the linked account at another computer (by another player) is account sharing.

Tegan

I see, I'm not used to playing large and recent MMORPG's so excuse my confusion or ignorance.

Well not to worry anyway...

I ended up buying him the base version as it was on sale and I wasn't sure if he would stay committed to the game anyway hence why I didn't purchase him any DLC or crowns.

Thank you for clearing that up anyway, I'm not a rule-breaker by any means, I'm just unfamiliar with how this game works to be honest. I'm a little out of date regarding MMO's and thought there might of been a way to give him complete ownership of my unused copy but I'm wrong evidently.