Where Do Game Key Sites Get Their Keys?

Summary

The video script delves into the controversial world of game key reselling, focusing on platforms like g2a. It highlights the negative impact on indie developers, who sometimes prefer piracy over sales through these sites due to the prevalence of fraudulently obtained keys. The script explains the difference between legitimate resellers and gray market sellers, the latter often associated with scams. It also touches on the deceptive tactics used by scammers to acquire game keys and the financial repercussions for developers, especially indie ones. The video concludes by advocating for ethical purchasing and introduces a tool to find verified sellers and game deals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Everyone is attracted to discounted games, but there's controversy around how some are obtained and sold at a lower price.
• 😠 The reputation of key reselling sites like g2a among indie developers is so poor that some would prefer their games to be pirated rather than bought through these platforms.
• 📢 Running With Scissors, the developer of Postal 2, publicly opposes key reselling sites and encourages direct purchases to support the studio.
• 🤔 There's a debate about the legitimacy of key reselling, with some arguing that the issue lies with studios selling keys to unverified individuals who turn out to be scammers.
• 🔑 Key reselling operates through three main channels: first party sellers, third party sellers, and gray market sellers, each with varying degrees of legitimacy and connection to the game developers.
• 🛑 Gray market sellers are particularly concerning as they facilitate the sale of keys that may have been obtained through fraudulent means, such as stolen credit cards.
• 💼 Scammers exploit the gray market by pretending to be streamers or content creators to request game keys under false pretenses.
• 🛍️ The practice of reselling keys can lead to customers having their games deactivated if the keys are found to be fraudulent, causing further issues for both the customer and the developer.
• 💸 The financial impact of chargebacks and refunds due to fraudulent keys can be particularly devastating for indie developers who rely on game sales for income.
• 🛡️ g2a once offered a 'g2a Shield' service that provided insurance for deactivated games, but it has since been discontinued, raising questions about its effectiveness and integrity.
• 🔍 There are tools available, like 'isthereanydeal.com', that help consumers find verified third-party sellers and notify them of sales, promoting ethical purchasing practices.

Q & A

What is the main issue with key reselling websites like g2a?

The main issue with key reselling websites like g2a is that they have a reputation for selling game keys, some of which may be illegally obtained. This practice can hurt indie game developers, as they may not receive the revenue they deserve from the sales of their games.

Why would indie developers prefer their games to be pirated rather than sold through key reselling sites?

Indie developers may prefer their games to be pirated over being sold through key reselling sites because the latter can involve illegal sales that don't provide any revenue to the developers, whereas piracy might at least provide some exposure.

What is the stance of Running With Scissors, the developer of Postal 2, on key reselling websites?

Running With Scissors has a negative stance on key reselling websites, stating that they have been hurting indie studios for years and would rather have their games pirated than sold through such sites.

What does Kevin Green suggest as the root cause of the problem with key reselling sites?

Kevin Green suggests that the root cause of the problem is studios selling keys to unverified individuals who turn out to be scammers using stolen credit cards, rather than the key reselling sites themselves.

What are the three main ways someone can buy a game according to the script?

The three main ways to buy a game are through first party sellers (companies that control the platform and generate their keys), third party sellers (sites that buy keys in bulk from first party sellers at wholesale prices), and gray market sellers (those with no connection to first-party sellers and often engage in shady business practices).

What is the difference between an official reseller and a gray market seller?

An official reseller is a site that has a direct contact with first party sellers and buys keys in bulk at wholesale prices to sell on their own sites. A gray market seller, on the other hand, has no connection with first-party sellers and often involves external users providing keys for them to sell, which can lead to the sale of illegally obtained keys.

How do scammers get access to game keys to sell on gray market sites?

Scammers can get access to game keys by purchasing them from legitimate sites using stolen credit cards or by pretending to be streamers, YouTubers, or game reviewers requesting keys to try out and review games.

What is the potential consequence for customers buying keys from gray market sellers?

The potential consequence for customers is that the game they purchased could be deactivated by the developer if the key was found to be fraudulently obtained, which could also result in chargebacks and financial losses for the developer.

What was g2a Shield and why was it discontinued?

g2a Shield was a service offered by g2a that provided insurance for customers in case a game key was deactivated. Customers would pay extra money per month, and if a game was deactivated, they would be refunded with g2a credits. It was discontinued, possibly due to the negative reputation and issues surrounding the legality of the keys sold on the platform.

What is the impact of chargebacks on indie game developers?

Chargebacks can have a significant impact on indie game developers, as they not only lose out on sales but also incur additional costs due to the fraud. This can be particularly damaging for smaller developers who rely on the revenue from their games to cover their bills and may not have the financial resources to handle chargebacks.

What is 'any deal.com' and how does it help consumers find game deals?

Any deal.com is a website that helps consumers find deals on games by allowing them to put their desired games on a watch list. The website then notifies users when the games go on sale on any of the verified third or first party seller sites.