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[kiphalfton]

Steam summer sale is awful. Greenmangaming coupons are no longer good. Even stuff like Humble Bundle are crappy indie games since IGN acquired them.

Have never actually bought games from CDKeys, mainly cuz I don't trust the source where the keys come from, but without the incentive of cheap prices (as was the case in the past, from steam, greenmangaming, etc.), I am about to cave.

Anybody stop buying stuff on steam/etc. and just start getting their games from CDKeys pretty much exclusively?

 

[b0uncyfr0]

I honestly have not bought anything directly from Steam for ages.

These 3rd party sites are cheaper but some have pointed out that these sites acquire games using stolen cards or unethical means, you have to decide if that means anything to you.

Also there are differences in the refund process for each seller, so you need to consider that as well.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I dont. Ive been using Cdkeys since the Witcher 3. Im glad their(publishers) scheme of making PC all digital has backfired on them. Already bought Cyberpunk for $45.

 

[GHG]

gg.deals

That's the only site you need when looking to buy a game.

Cdkeys is sometimes more expensive than fully legit stores.

Cdkeys isn't so bad though when compared to the likes of g2a though.

 

[Optimistic Gamer]

I'm still that guy who avoids this topics on major forums like here because I don't want "too much" publisher attention on it.
Here in europe there's basically no problem with key traders ever and there's TONS of them with aggregate website that will always find the best deal for you.
Keys are bought in eastern europe where they are cheap and then sold in the "richer countries". If you ever pay more than 40 bucks for a game on release you probably did something wrong or hit one of the few exceptions. Sometimes Ubisoft games could even be had for around €35 in the past.

It's one of the few ways where globalization works FOR the costumer and I will never feel bad for doing what every single corporation does to maximize profits.

 

[nush]

I buy points and subscription cards from 3rd party sites for consoles. To start because the platform holders would not let me register a credit card from one country with an account from another country. 3rd party sites don't care and are cheaper. It's an extra step but worth it.

 

[Stuart360]

I have said this many times myself. I rarely buy from Steam anymore, even on sales, as you can get games much cheaper elsewhere, if you know where to look. I'm about to buy Grid 2019 Ultimate Edition for £4 from a key site, and its £13.50 on Steam, even with 70% off in the current sale.

 

[Thicc Enigma]

CDkeys doesn't have nowhere near the games that Greenman Gaming, Fanatical or other major well known key sellers. Conversely, sometimes you'll find keys cheaper elsewhere. CDkeys isn't cheap for EVERYTHING. Though let's say you want to pre-order a game then you'll probably have a better chance paying less for it on CDkeys.

 

[Aidah]

Personally, generally I don't buy from places that don't list the source of their keys for each game listing, for multiple reasons.

Secondly, Steam has regional pricing. In my region prices can be ridiculously cheap depending on publisher. $20 at launch for a game that costs $60 elsewhere for instance.

Finally, I don't think you can refund games via Steam if you didn't buy them from there.

Although CDkey isn't at all in the same category as something like g2a, I should note that I did buy a key from them once that turned out to have already been claimed, they did however agree to give a replacement key.

Anyway, if a game isn't cheap on Steam I typically use https://isthereanydeal.com/ to find the best price, because that site only lists legitimate key sellers.

 

[Eliciel]

There are games were the difference is minor... e.g. Last Epoch. I bought that directly from Steam...Just ~1€ of difference..

 

[VN1X]

Gocdkeys.com cheaper than gg.deals that was mentioned up above. The greyest of markets though lol.

 

[Kadayi]

I like to see developers earn their due. That way they can make more games. I have bought the odd game via key sites (including CDKeys) but its very much the exception rather than the rule. If I don't feel a game justifies the price being asked I just wishlist it and wait for a sale.

 

[GHG]

Gocdkeys.com cheaper than gg.deals that was mentioned up above. The greyest of markets though lol.

gg.deals lists fully legit sites though.

That's the thing people have to decide, do you buy from a legit registered key seller or do you go grey market?

The difference in price most of the time isn't actually big enough to justify it IMO.

 

[AV]

Same with Game Pass or PS+ or whatever. Always significantly cheaper to do it via a third party.

 

[VN1X]

gg.deals lists fully legit sites though.

That's the thing people have to decide, do you buy from a legit registered key seller or do you go grey market?

The difference in price most of the time isn't actually big enough to justify it IMO.

Yeah fair enough. I've used the grey market plenty of times myself and only rarely had issues (Night in the Woods did get revoked but only after I already finished it thankfully hehe).

I try not to use the grey market whenever possible and these days I feel like some of the prices, while a tad more expensive, are still great on Steam. I prefer to buy from Steam directly knowing that the devs get most of the revenue that way. However sometimes devs/publishers just take the piss with their pricing, resulting in me having to grab it from somewhere more reasonable lol.

 

[rofif]

I barely buy from steam. They treat my country as if we were rich while in fact Poland is poor af...
I buy from cdkeys when I can. I don't care if it's stolen or not. How would a key get stolen anyway?

 

[Rikkori]

No refunds.

Wish I didn't get my Doom Eternal key from cdkeys, because I knew I wanted a refund on that quick. I just didn't imagine I could not like a Doom game.

 

[Griffon]

CDKeys is great for cheap preorders.

But if I'm not buying a game day one, usually normal sales are just as good. And of course, Steam has refunds and that's a huge difference.

 

[GymWolf]

The only plus is having the chance of asking for a refound.

I always buy my games in external sites.

 

[GHG]

I barely buy from steam. They treat my country as if we were rich while in fact Poland is poor af...
I buy from cdkeys when I can. I don't care if it's stolen or not. How would a key get stolen anyway?

They tend to get bought via credit card fraud and then sold on so that it cannot be traced.

The people doing it aren't interested in the games (obviously) and buy things like keys rather than physical goods because of the fact that they can be both delivered and then sold on instantly.

When the fraud is reported and it gets back to the publisher then they send out a notice to revoke the keys.

Yeah fair enough. I've used the grey market plenty of times myself and only rarely had issues (Night in the Woods did get revoked but only after I already finished it thankfully hehe).

I try not to use the grey market whenever possible and these days I feel like some of the prices, while a tad more expensive, are still great on Steam. I prefer to buy from Steam directly knowing that the devs get most of the revenue that way. However sometimes devs/publishers just take the piss with their pricing, resulting in me having to grab it from somewhere more reasonable lol.

For me it comes down to whether you want to support the developer/publisher behind the game or not. When buying grey market keys they often don't see any of that money due to the nature of how they make their way on to the market.

 

[Kenpachii]

Steam summer sale is awful. Greenmangaming coupons are no longer good. Even stuff like Humble Bundle are crappy indie games since IGN acquired them.

Have never actually bought games from CDKeys, mainly cuz I don't trust the source where the keys come from, but without the incentive of cheap prices (as was the case in the past, from steam, greenmangaming, etc.), I am about to cave.

Anybody stop buying stuff on steam/etc. and just start getting their games from CDKeys pretty much exclusively?

Pretty much all those sales are a joke.

I buy my games from keysites mostly these days.

 

[Coulomb_Barrier]

Steam sale actually trumps CDKeys at times with prices, for example Total War sales recently, 50% off or something made prices far cheaper than CDKeys.

- No 14-day refund policy with CDKeys like Steam
- Not every game is on CD keys
- Steam sale is sometimes even cheaper.

Generally I use CDKeys but now and again I buy if their's a Steam sale.

 

[The Lunch Legend]

I'm not one to really concern myself with price.

Yes, I am ridiculously rich. In fact, I'm typing this sentence wearing a custom, $15,000 Breitling .

 

[sid2vicious]

What's the point of supporting unethical businesses? I personally find valve business model and shitty customer service to be very unethical, so I tend to avoid them for the most part until they clean up their act. I still want to support the developers though, some more than others, for example I'm a big square enix fan so I had no problem buying trials of mana on release at full price. Other times I go wherever I can find the cheapest deal, doesn't matter where. I don't condone greedy monopolies just like I don't condone pirating (unless deserving), so I don't support them. It's your money, spend it the way you want, support what you want.

 

[Soltype]

I actually checked this year, if it was cheaper on steam I got it.

 

[Graciaus]

I might have old info but I always thought cdkeys wasn't a legit site. Steam is almost never the cheapest but the other 3rd party sites are still pretty cheap. The steam add on tells me the cheapest price and lifetime cheapest which is what I go off of.

The refund potential is the only good thing about steam. Also the rare games that are only sold on steam requiring it.

 

[Jack Videogames]

Cdkeys don't got everything

 

[Starbuck2907]

I have said this many times myself. I rarely buy from Steam anymore, even on sales, as you can get games much cheaper elsewhere, if you know where to look. I'm about to buy Grid 2019 Ultimate Edition for £4 from a key site, and its £13.50 on Steam, even with 70% off in the current sale.

This months Humble Bundle had Grid UE, Hellblade, and 8 other games for $12. On average, I paid $1.20 per game. Grid UE cost me $1.20.

 

[Grinchy]

I get all my PS+ subscriptions from them, Mass Genie or Rakuten. I will begrudgingly pay $30 for the year, and still don't want to even have to pay that idiot tax, but I will not give them $60.

I got a PS4 Pro from Mass Genie for $320 (no tax) a year ago. So not only was it a nice deal, but they can skirt around sales tax making it even better.

 

[Alexios]

Cdkeys is sometimes more expensive than fully legit stores.

Er? Cdkeys is fully legit, nothing like g2a. Just buy where it's cheapest, some times it's this, others that, some on a Steam sale, it varies and it's all awesome and thanks to Steam allowing devs/pubs to generate keys for sale anywhere they want, like retail (so lol @ some Steam bashing over it).

 

[GHG]

This months Humble Bundle had Grid UE, Hellblade, and 8 other games for $12. On average, I paid $1.20 per game. Grid UE cost me $1.20.

It was also available on fanatical via a $5 bundle up until a few days ago:

Fanatical

www.fanatical.com

People need to learn to shop around without resorting to grey market stores.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Generally find games to be cheap enough not worry about discounts and such. Unless i am buying something day 1. Which doesnt happen these days.

 

[GHG]

Er? Cdkeys is fully legit, nothing like g2a. Just buy where it's cheapest, some times it's this, others that, some on a Steam sale, it varies and it's all awesome and thanks to Steam allowing devs/pubs to generate keys for sale anywhere they want, unlike others (so lol @ some Steam bashing over it).

They are grey market sellers, they are not an authorised reseller of keys for any of the games they sell keys for on the behalf of publishers. Their keys tend to be acquired through legitimate means though, mostly through foreign boxed copies (hence a lot of the time you will be sent a picture of a CD key).

Don't get me wrong, they are probably the best of all grey market sellers and their support is excellent if you ever run into any issues with a key you've purchased from them, but none of they money you spend with them is going directly to the developers or publishers. They are trustworthy but they are not authorised, and that's an important distinction to make.

G2a is pretty much the Wild West on the other hand. If you ever experience any issues with them you are SOL and a lot of their keys are from stolen sources.

 

[Alexios]

but none of they money you spend with them is going directly to the developers or publishers.

The devs/pubs got their share when cdkeys bought the copy from retail or otherwise (or when that retail store bought x copies to sell anywhere). Of course they don't get even more money for the same copy when you pay cdkeys. Nothing not-legit about that. They're legit, not just "tend" to be.

Stop spreading fud like the guy below. The only controversy ever surrounding cdkeys is when people (including some devs who tweeted or whatever similar bs without knowing anything about it) think every seller is like g2a, ie uninformed bs as below.

 

[down 2 orth]

The way I see it is that you might as well just pirate games if you're willing to go that far low. I use steam because I know some of my money gets to the developers that I like and some of it goes to this fat dude who went to Harvard. I'm going to start using GOG more often as well.

BTW I think the Steam sale was pretty good this time around.

 

[Rathalos]

I have been buying 99% of my games from CDKeys for years now, they have saved me so much money it's ridiculous. £30-£35 for a new release is very reasonable, especially when the same game is £45-50 on Steam. It's like getting a free game for every two you buy.

 

[Mista]

CDKeys doesn’t always have the game I want. Also Steam is very cheap in my region for some reason. Resident Evil 3 remake for example released with a $25 price tag

 

[buizel]

I honestly have not bought anything directly from Steam for ages.

These 3rd party sites are cheaper but some have pointed out that these sites acquire games using stolen cards or unethical means, you have to decide if that means anything to you.

Also there are differences in the refund process for each seller, so you need to consider that as well.

I mean all our computers and tech are made via unethical exploitation of workers (usually Chinese), so anyone with a computer really shouldnt have any qualms about buying from these sites.

 

[GHG]

The devs/pubs got their share when cdkeys bought the copy from wherever, retail or otherwise. So of course they don't get even more money for the same copy when you in turn pay cdkeys.

Yes and it's that "wherever" which makes them grey market. They don't specify where that is or how they get their keys, the keys are not sourced directly from publishers.

On the other hand the keys from sites listed on gg.deals or isthereanydeal.com are sourced directly from the publisher, a pre-agreed % of the sale goes back to the publisher and they are authorised by the publishers to resell those keys.

 

[Alexios]

At least you admit devs did get their cut when they bought it from "wherever" so that's something better than presenting it like they stole shit and the devs got scammed out of a copy, which you have no evidence for, basically doing the reverse, asking for proof they're innocent.

That's not how shit works irl and devs/pubs have ways to region lock their keys if they don't want them sold elsewhere hence the limited selection of cdkeys (further limited by the fact they only buy shit they think they can sell to users etc. as they give the money up front).

Of course they're not gonna say, we got a deal on this clearance sale for 100 copies of game x, a buck each (which the store paid a lot more for to the devs but they're getting rid of it for reasons), because then you'll want it for 5 bucks and not the 15 they ask. Moving on.

 

[GHG]

At least you admit devs did get their cut when they bought it from "wherever" so that's something better than presenting it like they stole shit and the devs got scammed out of a copy, which you have no evidence for, basically doing the reverse, asking for evidence they didn't steal.

That's not how shit works. Moving on.

It's not that complicated.

If you want to make sure your purchase is legit and ensure money ends up in the publishers/developers pockets then you go to either of the following sites and go with the lowest price:

gg.deals
isthereanydeal.com

If you don't give a shit about that or the methodologies used in sourcing keys then by all means shop with Cdkeys. They've sold me a revoked key before but then rectified the issue so they are not 100% legit like you are making them out to be. If they were then they wouldn't have to buy CD key images from agents in places like Eastern Europe and instead they would have direct relationships with publishers.

But if you want to be a crybaby and make yourself feel better for purchasing from them instead of elsewhere then go ahead.

 

[Helios]

Yes and it's that "wherever" which makes them grey market. They don't specify where that is or how they get their keys, the keys are not sourced directly from publishers.

On the other hand the keys from sites listed on gg.deals or isthereanydeal.com are sourced directly from the publisher, a pre-agreed % of the sale goes back to the publisher and they are authorised by the publishers to resell those keys.

At least you admit devs did get their cut when they bought it from "wherever" so that's something better than presenting it like they stole shit and the devs got scammed out of a copy, which you have no evidence for, basically doing the reverse, asking for proof they're innocent.

That's not how shit works irl and devs/pubs have ways to region lock their keys if they don't want them sold elsewhere hence the limited selection of cdkeys (further limited by the fact they only buy shit they think they can sell to users etc. as they give the money up front).

Of course they're not gonna say, we got a deal on this clearance sale for 100 copies of game x, a buck each (which the store paid a lot more for to the devs but they're getting rid of it for reasons), because then you'll want it for 5 bucks and not the 15 they ask. Moving on.

The problem is that ,as far as I know, nobody knows where those keys come from. I've asked multiple times and I've not seen anyone give me a clear answer.
You can't buy steam keys directly from Steam. Only developers can request them. So how do so many keys get into sites like g2a? Do devs sell these keys privately and than revoke them when they find out they were bought with stolen Credit Cards?

 

[GHG]

The problem is that ,as far as I know, nobody knows where those keys come from. I've asked multiple times and I've not seen anyone give me a clear answer.
You can't buy steam keys directly from Steam. Only developers can request them. So how do so many keys get into sites like g2a? Do devs sell these keys privately and than revoke them when they find out they were bought with stolen Credit Cards?

Stolen cards, money laundering, "lost" shipments in the case of physical codes, crytocurrency scams, the list goes on.

Levelcapgaming did a good video on this topic a few years ago:

 

[Holammer]

If you only buy and play high profile games, CDKeys is great I guess, but they don't carry indies or a lot of smaller titles.
Case in point, there's not a single Touhou key for sale on the site.

 

[Alexios]

But if you want to be a crybaby and make yourself feel better for purchasing from them instead of elsewhere then go ahead.

The fuck does this have anything to do with me personally? Stop being a little bitch and likening cdkeys to g2a as you did in the post above where the guy asks about cdkeys, in a thread about cdkeys, quoting posts about cdkeys, and you present g2a videos. It's legit until proven otherwise, which you haven't done. And I've never bought anything from them, you just said you have so get off your high horse. I get all my (Steam, I buy elsewhere like gog etc.) games for free, legit, if that makes you feel better, none of my posts have anything to do with what I do, why the f make it about that? Grow some balls, get legit arguments. Not being authorised by devs and publishers doesn't mean shit about it being legit. Nobody here is authorized either but trading threads for example are legit. Just like cdkeys. Deal with it and stop spreading completely unfounded fud/pretending they're g2a.

 

[GHG]

The fuck does this have anything to do with me personally? Stop being a little bitch and likening cdkeys to g2a as you did in the post above where the guy asks about cdkeys, in a thread about cdkeys, quoting posts about cdkeys, and you present g2a videos. It's legit until proven otherwise, which you haven't done. And I've never bought anything from them, you just said you have so get off your high horse. I get all my games for free, legit, if that makes you feel better, none of my posts have anything to do with what I do, why the f make it about that? Grow some balls, get legit arguments.

Already said everything there is to say on this topic above thank you very much. You're the one accusing others of spreading FUD and getting all emotional when the fact is Cdkeys is in fact a grey market key seller which sells keys of unknown origin. Like it or not but they are in the same category as G2A but it's widely accepted that they are not on G2A's levels of shithousery.

If you want to tell us that cdkeys aren't in fact grey market resellers then the onus is on you to provide us with evidence that they are authorised by publishers to sell they keys they are selling. (which they aren't)

That information is easy to come by on all of the other websites I've listed whereas on cdkeys there is no information and they will not give you any even if you contact them.

The bottom line is that if they key is of unknown origin then it is grey market and you are leaving it to chance by purchasing it.

The person above specifically asked about G2A by the way, learn to read.

 

[Resenge]

Stop being a little bitch and likening cdkeys to g2a as you did in the post above where the guy asks about cdkeys, in a thread about cdkeys, quoting posts about cdkeys, and you present g2a videos.

You can't buy steam keys directly from Steam. Only developers can request them. So how do so many keys get into sites like g2a? Do devs sell these keys privately and than revoke them when they find out they were bought with stolen Credit Cards?

I think that is why he is discussing G2A. He was responding to a direct mention of G2A not CDkeys. I agree with you that CDkeys is as legit as you can get with grey market keys but it is still grey market keys and not authorised resellers of keys.

Saying that, I love CDkeys and buy from them a lot without any problems for years.

 

[brian0057]

Fanatical has worked wonders for me.
I almost exclusively shop there.

 

[zeroFiveNine]

Steam is still okay, there is some regional pricing that is better than CDKeys, Fanatical etc.

Bundle completion is also pretty good on Steam.

Slightly OT - but some subreddits are obviously bought off by IGN. The posts for Humble Bundle offers always trend at the top for 2-3 days after they are launched, even thought they are bad offers.

 

[Barnabot]

regional pricing. not everyone buys their game im USD. i rest my case.