Murky world of PC game key reselling exposed by indie developer

[Tech614]

According to their own terms G2A does ban resellers who provide stolen keys. Just because they're in China, doesn't mean that everyone abuses the system.

So why again would 2 Polish dudes move to Hong Kong to start a company then? Why wouldn't they start it in Poland? Oh I know why, because then they would have western legislation as a threat to them. GOG seems to be a really successful game selling business located in Poland, cost of living is relatively low in Poland, employees don't need to get paid as much in Poland. Poland is an excellent country to run a business in, yet they hopped over to Hong Kong for a reason.

I can't find out where that 10% comes from. Does G2A take it from the reseller, or do they pay it out of their own pockets? If resellers have to pay, prepare for prices to go up,

No publisher is going to take that bullshit deal, so the 10% isn't coming from anywhere and it's a non issue. This is called a PR stunt, you know what those are right? Seems it worked on you... as you seem to think it's going to change anything.

[Asmekiel]

I haven't even bought anything from G2A... I just think people should stop claiming everyone is a filthy criminal based on the actions of some.

Then why locate their HQ in China rather than the founders native Poland?

I'm sure they have a good reason for it.

Also, sure, they can ban folks when they're caught. But are they taking any measure to protect against it in the first place? To actively protect consumers (outside of selling their totally legit insurance that they in no way benefit from and isn't totally a free service provided through other online retailers like Ebay)? Do they proactively work with publishers to ensure that they are not complicit in the sale of illegally obtained keys?

Should they though? If publishers/developers would just revoke those keys instead of complaining, there wouldn't be a problem at all.

[Tech614]

I'm sure they have a good reason for it.

You bet your ass they do. It's called laws.

[Edge-]

I haven't even bought anything from G2A... I just think people should stop claiming everyone is a filthy criminal based on the actions of some.

We're not. But G2A has built a business off of profiting from the sale of illegally obtained keys for pennies on the dollar, either through the purchase/resale of keys across regions (not legal) or through the sale of illegally obtained keys (multiple examples of them getting caught and pretending they did nothing wrong).

I'm sure they have a good reason for it.

Such as...? I mean, Tech laid it out more broadly above. The only reason for them to HQ in China is for protection against stricter Western laws on this type of behavior.

Should they though? If publishers/developers would just revoke those keys instead of complaining, there wouldn't be a problem at all.

Tracking/revoking keys like that is ludicrously expensive on the part of publishers, and many don't have systems in place that would allow them to track on that granular of a level. Not to mention, the last time a publisher revoked illegally obtained keys, Ubisoft with Far Cry 4, they got so much shit from gamers and even media to a certain extent, that they had to stop. All while G2A pretended that they'd done nothing wrong and it was all Ubisoft, which gamers who care more about cheap keys, regardless of if they were legally obtained or not, gave a free pass to because MUH CHEEP KEYZ

[Asmekiel]

Ubisoft should've gone through with it, it's not their fault the keys weren't paid for. Besides, G2A isn't to blame for it either, but the resellers who sold the keys.
If all big publishers would start revoking keys, the reselling of unpaid keys will soon be largely over.

[Tech614]

If all big publishers would start revoking keys, the reselling of unpaid keys will soon be largely over.

It's easy af for you to say that without understanding the logistics of it.

It would require the complete lock down of keys so they are only sold by a few trusted store fronts(which would be the publisher, Amazon, Gamestop and their DRM of choice) that have the infrastructure to track this and report it to them. Which is kind of what console digital keys are like and why you don't see console versions floating on G2A for ridiculous low prices.

If they actually did this, it would be anti consumer and shut down a lot of actual 100% bought from publisher key re sellers. People would lose their shit, so you would want that over gamers actually using their brain?

Because that's what it's going to come down to, either gamers are going to start using their brain or eventually the publishers are going to go the anti consumer route to eliminate this. All it's going to take is that one guy at the board meeting to throw up a graph showing the profits they're losing each quarter due to shady gray market key sales and it will be over once the big investors know about it.

[Halicia]

Besides, G2A isn't to blame for it either, but the resellers who sold the keys.

They're more culpable than torrent sites, imo.

#1. They're profiting from theft
#2. They're providing a "legitimate and trustworthy" place to exchange stolen goods for cash
#3. Whatever happened to all the piracy and stolen goods on Ebay ? just cuz Ebay starts donating 10% of the proceeds to the manufacturer doesn't mean they're still selling stolen/pirated goods and ripping off the original companies.

I think I mentioned earlier in this thread, I've *played* indie games that suffered serious setbacks because of these sorts of chargebacks and credit card ripoff schemes, so unlike the arguable 'lost sale' factor in torrents and streaming movies, there's a direct financial cost to credit card frauds that can directly impact those studios least able to stop it.

[G2A Team]

Greetings,

More information about G2A.COM/tinyBuild STATEMENT can be found at g2a.co website
In case of additional questions or doubts we encourage you to contact us at helpdesk(at)g2a.com, our specialists will be glad to assist and provide you with as detailed information as possible.

Best Regards,
Hannah
G2A Team

[unholytestament]

stuff

*spittake*

...

So that happened.

[Jtbrig7390]

Greetings,

More information about G2A.COM/tinyBuild STATEMENT can be found at g2a.co website
In case of additional questions or doubts we encourage you to contact us at helpdesk(at)g2a.com, our specialists will be glad to assist and provide you with as detailed information as possible.

Best Regards,
Hannah
G2A Team

...................




- - - Updated - - -

*spittake*

...

So that happened.

Right I wonder if it really was someone from G2A or some dummy account.

[G2A Team]

...................



- - - Updated - - -

Right I wonder if it really was someone from G2A or some dummy account.

Greetings Jtbrig7390,

Nope, we are the official G2A reps

If you have any further questions, keep in mind that you can always find additional information on G2A's FAQ page or by contacting us in 8 languages on helpdesk(at)g2a.com. Our consultants are there for you 24/7.

We hope to see you soon again at G2A.COM!

Peter

G2A Team

[Jtbrig7390]

Greetings Jtbrig7390,

Nope, we are the official G2A reps

If you have any further questions, keep in mind that you can always find additional information on G2A's FAQ page or by contacting us in 8 languages on helpdesk(at)g2a.com. Our consultants are there for you 24/7.

We hope to see you soon again at G2A.COM!

Peter

G2A Team

If true then once again....

[ParanoiD84]

Why would G2A waste time posting here? it's not like they will loose money over a few people here not buying stuff there.