SteamCoin - Buy Steam Games for Bitcoin

[SteamCoin]

I recently opened SteamCoin [steamcoin.com], a service that lets users buy Steam games for Bitcoin. Currently it has support for almost all Steam games and packs*. I'll be adding new features and areas to the site (next up is going to be a Sales section so you can view all the games currently on sale on Steam and add them to your SteamCoin cart).

To use, just browse or search for the game or games you want on Steam, add them to your SteamCoin cart and checkout. You will be asked for an e-mail address and a return Bitcoin address (in case, for some reason, the gift cannot be sent, your Bitcoins will be returned to this address), and upon submitting your order you'll be given a unique Bitcoin address to send your coins to, along with the amount for your order (you'll also be sent a confirmation e-mail, though for security reasons the Bitcoin address for payment will not be sent).

I know there are other services with the same function (though I didn't when I built the site and put it live), but SteamCoin offers a couple of unique features that sets it apart from competitors. First and foremost is the ability to add any number of Steam games to your cart, all in one transaction. And the second is that SteamCoin offers a competitive exchange rate as well as a low fee.

Thanks!
-SteamCoin

* - Currently some games which appear as options on a given games' page (such as Deus Ex: HR Augmented Edition) are not supported on SteamCoin. I'm working to fix this and should have an update in the next couple of weeks.

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[Vorksholk]

Hey, I just bought MW2, seems like an awesome service. At any rate, just wondering, what's your turnaround like?

[SteamCoin]

@Vorksholk, sorry for the late reply!

The general turn around is however long it takes for 1-2 confirms, assuming I'm awake and near a computer. If it's after 1am and before 9am PST, it'll likely be longer since I won't be awake to process the transaction. I automatically get updates on the orders, so I generally see them before the confirms are in.

[zerokwel]

Just ordered a cheap game. Site Looks rather good lists EVERYTHING

lets see how it goes will update when transaction is complete

EDIT...

Got the game a few hrz later. Nice and quick  Thanks again will be using you in the future

[Milkshanks]

I'm tempted to try this out. But I have a question, how do you handle steam discounts and stuff? For example, for today only Magicka is 75% off, since I'm guessing that you do all this by hand I'd have to guess that you won't update discounted prices, right?



Edit: Also, where's Binding of Isaac new DLC?

[ReginaldBuxley]

I'm tempted to try this out. But I have a question, how do you handle steam discounts and stuff? For example, for today only Magicka is 75% off, since I'm guessing that you do all this by hand I'd have to guess that you won't update discounted prices, right?

He might be using the steam API:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Steam_Web_API/Feedback#Provide_games_and_packages_information

Provide games and packages information
There should be something like ISteamGame to retrieve information about every game available on Steam. One method to get all games and one for detailed information about one game, e.g. appid, name, release date, publisher, achievements, store link, price (depending on the country code) etc. and all subIDs (packages) they're included in.

[Milkshanks]

Well, I'm still waiting for this guy to show up :O

[SteamCoin]

Hi guys.

I implemented sales into the site not long after I put it up. There's a tab which should list any games that are currently on sale, and sale items are marked with red text.

Certain DLC/game editions currently do not show up due to the way I populate the games list. Any DLC or game editions that do not show up in search results but are present on the base game's page are affected. Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a good example of this, as the Augmented Edition version does not show up in the search results, but only on the page for Deus Ex HR itself. I'm working on fixing it so that the site will support these items as well. No date on that, however.

If you find any games which aren't currently listen on SteamCoin, just shoot me an email at support@steamcoin.com with a link to the game and I will add it manually. I typically monitor the email all day, so adding a game that's not on the list is usually quite snappy.

Regarding the Steam API, as far as I'm aware it doesn't have exactly what I need, so I'm currently using a custom script to fetch data from the search results.

Please let me know if you guys have any more questions! Thanks for your interest in SteamCoin

[Milkshanks]

Alright, thank you for your answer. Just sent you an e-mail. Btw, I think there's some sort of delay on your "On Sale" games, as you never got the 75% discount (1 day only) on Magicka, got the 50% (wich lasted for a couple days) discount, and now that the discount is over on Steam it still shows Magicka with 50% discount on your "On sale" list. You should probably look that up.

[SteamCoin]

Unfortunately that's going to happen sometimes due to the variety of sales and the fact that I usually only update the list once a day. If any game shows a discrepancy or you'd like to get in on a specific sale and the site isn't reflecting the correct price, let me know and I can fix it before your order no problem. I'd like to remedy these issues, but due to the fact that there isn't actually an API, there's not really a cut-and-dried solution. Suffice it to say I have something in the works which should alleviate the problem to some degree. I'll post an update on the site when the fix goes live (it's all back-end but it will fix the issue with some items not showing up in the list as well as incorrect prices on sale items from time to time).

Oh also, I updated the list right now as well.

[Milkshanks]

I see. Well, the main problem as I see it is not having to contact you through e-mail to get a discounted price from steam, is someone buying it as "On Sale" on your site when the game is already back to full price. Anyways, sent you a mail about Binding of Isaac DLC, Wrath of the Lamb, waiting for you to update that list

[SteamCoin]

I see. Well, the main problem as I see it is not having to contact you through e-mail to get a discounted price from steam, is someone buying it as "On Sale" on your site when the game is already back to full price.

I agree completely. That's one of the main things I'm trying to eliminate with the updates to my script. In cases where that happens I always refund the order, but I know that's small consolation when the game you wanted to grab with Bitcoin is no longer on sale. In any case, I'm working on the update and I'll put a mention of it on the news section when it's live. For now the best thing to do in the case of sales you don't want to miss that are mis-priced is to try and notify me at least an hour or two before the sale will end. I usually see emails pretty fast so as long as there's enough time to get a couple of confirms on your payment before the sale ends, I can usually fulfill the order.

Anyways, sent you a mail about Binding of Isaac DLC, Wrath of the Lamb, waiting for you to update that list

I've added the DLC

[Milkshanks]

Wah, What happened to SteamCoin? :<<<<<

[mc_lovin]

Wah, What happened to SteamCoin? :<<<<<

Read the OP, got excited, opened URL, got disappointed..

[Milkshanks]

It was up like 6 hours ago. Gonna send this guy a e-mail.

[SteamCoin]

Hi guys.

The site is currently down because the hosting was due to be up in 10 days and apparently GoDaddy likes interrupting peoples' service before their time is actually up.

In any case, I've renewed the hosting and talked to GoDaddy and the site should be up anywhere between sometime later today and tomorrow. Sorry for the inconvenience, I had planned to renew the hosting soon but didn't realize GoDaddy does this sort of thing.

Anyway, I haven't gone anywhere and the site should be back soon!

Thanks!

Edit: Appears the site is back up now

[Infinity1]

Very well done website, I was always planning to make a similar website.

I'm just wondering whether or not you use one of the Steam API's for fetching the prices off the Steam store because manually changing the prices would be a pain in the ass.

[SteamCoin]

As far as I'm aware the Steam API doesn't currently support getting the data I need for games. Can you point me to some information on it? I looked at the wiki a bit but it doesn't seem like it has the features I would need to use it.

[Infinity1]

As far as I'm aware the Steam API doesn't currently support getting the data I need for games. Can you point me to some information on it? I looked at the wiki a bit but it doesn't seem like it has the features I would need to use it.

There isn't an API on it. Must be hard work changing the prices everyday. Wait until a Christmas sale comes and all hell breaks loose on your updates lol.

[SteamCoin]

It's not that bad, but I do sometimes run into cases where prices have changed after someone has ordered, unfortunately. It doesn't happen all that often, though. I should be putting up a system to automate it to update every 6 hours or so pretty soon.

I did develop a system that could literally scrape every game, special edition, pack and DLC that's on the store, but crawling almost 2000 pages (it has to download the entire individual game's page in order to find special editions like Deus Ex HR: Augmented Edition) takes a long time. The compromise I think I'm going to go with is using my current style of script to scrape the main games, DLC and packs, and then when you go to select a game you can expand a drop down that will find and list any special editions that are applicable. No ETA on that system for now because it's a bit complex and I want to make it has a proper fallback for those that surf without javascript and such.

[Tittiez]

Have you tried this?
https://github.com/spezifanta/SteamCalculator-Scripts

[SteamCoin]

@Tittiez, yes indeed. Originally that's what I was using. At this point my version is highly customized. Soon I'm going to be putting up the same thing but rewritten in PHP which I'll be able to run automatically at certain intervals.

Also to anyone that hasn't noticed, SteamCoin now supports DLC. All of it should be on the store.

[SteamCoin]

Hello everyone!

As part of my efforts at automating price updates, I've now enabled icons for all the games lists on the site. Please let me know what you think and if you have any problems.

I hope to add sorting the lists and category support soon.

[SteamCoin]

I've got another quick update. This change won't be visible readily to you guys on the site, but it's very handy. All game prices are now updated automatically at regular intervals, so prices should stay current even with sales going off and on at any part of the day/night. This should eliminate the occasional issue with out of date price information on SteamCoin due to sales.

[Tittiez]

I've got another quick update. This change won't be visible readily to you guys on the site, but it's very handy. All game prices are now updated automatically at regular intervals, so prices should stay current even with sales going off and on at any part of the day/night. This should eliminate the occasional issue with out of date price information on SteamCoin due to sales.

Good to hear, there will be sales next week if I am correct.

[SteamCoin]

Yeah that was part of my desire to get it working now before the sale, so I won't have to keep updating things or refund orders with mismatched prices.

Just as an additional FYI, if while browsing the site the list of games goes blank or you get an error, it may be running the update script. Just refresh in a minute or so and the list should be back. I'm going to implement a message about it, but I haven't done so yet, just to keep in mind for anyone that happens to be browsing around when the update script goes off.

[Red Emerald]

Cool idea.

[niooron]

Prices are not updating, for example SSFIV arcade edition has been only 15 for a while now, you still have it at 40 usd.

[pyromaniac]

Does anybody knows where can I sell steam games?

[SteamCoin]

Prices are not updating, for example SSFIV arcade edition has been only 15 for a while now, you still have it at 40 usd.

Are you sure that's right? I see SSF IV: Arcade Edition as $39.99 on that page, while SSF IV: Arcade Edition - All-in Costume Pack is $14.99, but that's not the game itself, just a DLC pack.

[mcorlett]

Giving it a go!

Edit: Worked nicely!

[SteamCoin]

Giving it a go!

Edit: Worked nicely!

Hi Milton, thanks for ordering and your feedback!

[Hyena]

Is it possible to just exchange bitcoins to steam credit? I would just send you btc-s and you'd send me steam credit automatically, then I'd but the game using steam itself.

Is it possible?

[Hyena]

Another thing is that I have not yet received the email even though I even sent the coins. What's the delay? This should be fixed. There are sites that automatically display a notice that payment has been received in the same webpage.

[Hyena]

wtf is a steam e-mail address? in the payment section you ask me to enter my e-mail. So I entered my e-mail: hyena@hyena.net.ee
nothing

my steam account is Hyena__ but I don't see any e-mail info there. A email should have @ character in it.

This is lame, sent 4.93 btc but this obviously didn't trigger your automation to send me the games.

[mcorlett]

wtf is a steam e-mail address? in the payment section you ask me to enter my e-mail. So I entered my e-mail: hyena@hyena.net.ee
nothing

my steam account is Hyena__ but I don't see any e-mail info there. A email should have @ character in it.

This is lame, sent 4.93 btc but this obviously didn't trigger your automation to send me the games.

It's not automated. Just wait until he gifts the game(s).

[Hyena]

ok thanks, didn't know the process

[Hyena]

Ok worked out well! Great service & thanks. I would never have bothered creating some idiot paypal or whatnot account and messing with bank transfers . Too bad steam doesn't support bitcoins natively.

[mcorlett]

Are there issues with the pricing on certain items?

[swissmate]

So, are you guys also making the steam summer sale?

[SteamCoin]

Are there issues with the pricing on certain items?

The price update script is set to run at a certain time each hour. If the price of a game/pack/dlc changes in between the time the script runs, it's possible for the price to be incorrect. If you see something wrong, don't hesitate to email me at support@steamcoin.com, or you can try and wait an hour or so and check back to see if the update script has fixed it (if I recall correctly, it's set to run at :55 after the hour).

So, are you guys also making the steam summer sale?

For the most part, the Summer Sale items should show up on the Sales tab (or say "On Sale!" in the regular list in red). Certain items from the Steam Store won't show up, such as special editions of games that only appear on the main game's page. There's not a whole lot I can do about this as it would require scraping all ~2000 game pages individually, which simply takes too long. Right now the compromise is basically that SteamCoin will pick up anything that appears in the Steam Store search results. If it doesn't show up there, it won't be on SteamCoin.

However, feel free to message me at support@steamcoin.com if you have a particular game/pack/dlc you want that isn't showing up in the store and I can set it to be added.

[SteamCoin]

Hey all. Please bear with me for a bit, as it seems there is some technical issue with the price update script that's causing it to only list games on sale/not list all the games. I'm currently debugging it and I'll post an update as soon as it's fixed up.

Thanks for your patience!

Edit: Seems to be working correctly now.

[Gabi]

Trying to buy Deus Ex Human Revolution now, i hope there won't be any problem with the fact that the offer will end in 4 hours
Edit: BTC sent, let's hope
Edit2: Game received and added to my Steam account! In less than half a hour, perfect service!

[SteamCoin]

Trying to buy Deus Ex Human Revolution now, i hope there won't be any problem with the fact that the offer will end in 4 hours
Edit: BTC sent, let's hope

I think I just filled your order. Also, it's a good idea to send a transaction fee if the sale for the game you're ordering is going to end soon (this goes for everyone).

Thanks for your order

[Gabi]

Yup, fee sent with that transaction, it has already some confirmations.

Thank you for the service!

[arklan]

been dying for some max payne 3... here goes! (this will be one of the first things i've actualyl spent btc on that wasn't satoshi dice or mining related... )

[SteamCoin]

Hey everyone. I have to stop processing orders temporarily due to the large delays in withdrawals from MtGox to Dwolla (which is currently the cheapest option for running SteamCoin, and allows me to keep my low rate). Be assured the downtime is only temporary, but unfortunately right now I just can't process any more orders until some of my money comes through from MtGox. I hope you all understand and will consider SteamCoin in the future. I'm hoping to have the site back up for a least a couple of days during the remainder of the Summer Sale.

[niooron]

Why not use bitpay? It seems companies have privileges when withdrawing from gox.

[arklan]

do what ya gotta do - i'll be back when you are. my max payne purchase went swimmingly. ...unfortunately i already beat it!

[SteamCoin]

Why not use bitpay? It seems companies have privileges when withdrawing from gox.

I did indeed look into BitPay and it seems like the best option for more quickly getting money back into my account from transactions. However, I would ultimately have to raise my fees in order to cover the extra cost of the fees they charge. It's a bit tricky as the BitPay fee would apply to the total amount of the order, rather than just the price of the games (so they'd be charging me fees on my fees, so I'd have to raise my fees to cover the extra fees they're charging on the fees I'm charging which would make the fees they're charging to go up... Yo dawg, I heard you like fees...).

[thatbluedude]

my opinion as someone who spend ~5 btc on your site during summer sale:
if you can set this bitpay thing up quickly, do it, raise fees, put big banner on site "fees double, mtgox sux" and see what happens. even with higher fees I see still at least two reasons to use your site: 1: its in $, 7$ vs 13€ leaves room for fees. 2: games are not bought from a german account, so I avoid issues like " this low violence version is available in german only"

[SteamCoin]

Thanks for your thoughts thatbluedude. I think I will try and get a BitPay account and at least implement it into the site and test it out. I don't really have an ETA on that as it's a bit of work getting it all set up, but I'll definitely be posting updates here as I make progress.

[Technomage]

This is really cool. Using Bitpay is definitely a good option. I didn't even know a site like this exists. I buy Steam games occasionally so this is a service I want to use.

[bal3wolf]

would be cool if this was back up lol right now would be a big time to make alot of coins with everyone wanting to buy steam games on sell.  Also have you tried the exchage that btcbuy uses they had the same problem and had to switch to a smaller exchange they use BitFloor.

[SteamGamesBTC.com]

Anyone who want buy Steam games - feel free to check my offer. The prices are much lower than retail, because games were bought on promotions. And if there's no game you want - just contact me, I can get all of them what you want. I recommend the bitmit, it's like ebay but bitcoin based. ;-)

[arklan]

hey steamcoin, any chance of this service returning? ever?

[Dhomochevsky]

I second that. I was aching to buy KOTOR 2 and I keep putting it off, hoping steamcoin reopens.

[Hyena]

I'd like to buy one game but it seems that the service is down. Is it permanent?