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[Quantum253]

Sorry for the thread bump, I was looking for any info on GAF about CDKeys because of they are selling PS+ for $29.99 (about $15.00 cheaper than other sites) and I didn't want to start a new thread about it. This was the first time I've gone onto the site and not sure how legit this was. I've experienced grey type keys for OS activation, but never with gaming. I went ahead and purchased 3 years of PS+ for $90.00 (I also used my CC incase there were any disputes). I got the email with 3 keys within a minutes and went online to redeem. So far everything seemed normal. However, two of the keys also included a 3 month subscription along with the 12 month. So I ended getting an additional 6 months for free. As this was the first time using the site, should there be any worry about Sony deactivating my PS account or have others also purchased PS+ from with site with no issues.

 

[NeonDelta]

It's fine. Not sure how Sony would know where it was purchased from

 

[Quantum253]

It's fine. Not sure how Sony would know where it was purchased from

Thank you! That's what I was thinking too. Millions of codes are probably generated and tracking those would be a task in itself. I imagine if there were fraud going on with the site, there would be mass complaints about stolen card issues or Sony/Microsoft banning accounts. It was weird to see 3 month cards showing when I only purchased 12 month. Still 42 months for 90 isn't a bad deal.

 

[PedanticJase]

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.

Yeah 100% preordering from cd keys is considerably cheaper in most cases.

I’m not sure why that is the case but I dare not look into it because no doubt it’ll be for some awful reason. Hopefully it’s just regional pricing differences.

 

[baphomet]

Always buy games from CDkeys.

 

[oagboghi2]

Yeah, can we talk about awful this recent steam sale was, and how it seemed like no one talked about it?

Wasn't that long ago steam sales felt like an event

 

[Quantum253]

Going through the site, there seems to be some good deals. I might have to start looking for PS games that I want to have digitally. I've seen comments on unethical means to getting keys, but the site claims it's cheap because of industry partnerships. I would imagine if keys were obtained illegally, the site would be shutdown.

 

[MrFunSocks]

It's fine. Not sure how Sony would know where it was purchased from

MS have banned people before who bought discounted Xbox Live codes because they were acquired illegally and then sold to customers.

It's just not worth the risk to save a few dollars IMO.

 

[Quantum253]

MS have banned people before who bought discounted Xbox Live codes because they were acquired illegally and then sold to customers.

It's just not worth the risk to save a few dollars IMO.

That's interesting. That's why I was curious about the site. I thought $15.00 cheaper than like Best Buy and Amazon wasn't too far off. Trigger is already pulled so we'll see how it goes. It was the fact they added extra 3 month subscriptions into two of the keys that seemed odd since I only purchased 12 months. If people are getting banned, I might have to hope for the best and not use the site again. Weird that when you Google PS+ Black Friday deals, CDKeys is one of the first sites to show in the search. It'd be crappy that Google is directing customers to sites that could cause issues. Especially when the site states they are cheaper because of the industry connections.

 

[Kadayi]

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.

Pretty much my view. I've used key sites occasionally in the past, but tbh I find these days games are rarely bad value in terms of cost versus enjoyment extracted from them when it comes to hours played so I don't mind paying full price so the developers get their due and I don't begrudge Valve getting their cut because I use the service pretty much every day. If I don't think a game is worth full price, I'll wishlist is and snap it up during a sale.

 

[Spukc]

MS have banned people before who bought discounted Xbox Live codes because they were acquired illegally and then sold to customers.

It's just not worth the risk to save a few dollars IMO.

“FEW DOLLARS”

 

[Shifty1897]

Yeah, can we talk about awful this recent steam sale was, and how it seemed like no one talked about it?

Wasn't that long ago steam sales felt like an event

Steam sales haven't been amazing since like 2013. I just want a proper sale on the Trails franchise, asking $24 for Cold Steel 1 (a AA Vita JRPG that came out in 2013) is ridiculous.

 

[teezzy]

I bounce between Steam sales and CheapShark.com

I never go wrong or not get the best price that way

 

[McHuj]

Never had an issue with cdkeys. I mainly use it for PS+ codes.

 

[MrFunSocks]

“FEW DOLLARS”

Yes, a few dollars.

 

[Tschumi]

I'm happy paying full price. To be honest I've got a blizzard of impulse buy games to get through as it is, the last thing i need is dirt cheap access to the dozen or so other titles I've still got vague interest in outside of my library. This is nice, and i wish I'd known about it, but just the other day i thought to myself how much more i valued games when i could only afford one every few months or something.

Young teen Tschumi convinced himself that Red Faction 2 was a delightful shooter with solid bot multiplayer on his GameCube, once upon a time~

 

[teezzy]

I'm happy paying full price. To be honest I've got a blizzard of impulse buy games to get through as it is, the last thing i need is dirt cheap access to the dozen or so other titles I've still got vague interest in outside of my library. This is nice, and i wish I'd known about it, but just the other day i thought to myself how much more i valued games when i could only afford one every few months or something.

Sometimes I think my Steam library as a bunch of games I can't wait to really dive into when I'm retired and shitting in a diaper

 

[Tschumi]

Sometimes I think my Steam library as a bunch of games I can't wait to really dive into when I'm retired and shitting in a diaper

Well you've just got your whole life mapped out haven't you

 

[alabtrosMyster]

Epic had free games every week

 

[alabtrosMyster]

Sometimes I think my Steam library as a bunch of games I can't wait to really dive into when I'm retired and shitting in a diaper

I hope we end up in the same old farts home, so we can compare our backlogs!

 

[Quantum253]

Never had an issue with cdkeys. I mainly use it for PS+ codes.

That's good to know. It's nice to not have to pay $60 a year.

 

[alabtrosMyster]

“FEW DOLLARS”

80$ (Canada) for something that will keep me busy for at let's 40 hours, that sa deal!

 

[mr.dilya]

I buy from CDkeys often but I'm not gonna lie the site does seem a little shady.

 

[mr.dilya]

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:

Damn I had no idea this is the story behind these sites, lol

But I'm gonna be real here....I am a commissioned salesperson. Consumers don't give a damn about how much I'm making on a sale, they only care about the kind of deal THEY are getting. I don't see why game devs are some protected class. I'm going for the best deal too.

 

[Quantum253]

Damn I had no idea this is the story behind these sites, lol

But I'm gonna be real here....I am a commissioned salesperson. Consumers don't give a damn about how much I'm making on a sale, they only care about the kind of deal THEY are getting. I don't see why game devs are some protected class. I'm going for the best deal too.

I want those who help make a sale get credit and commission. I don't k new if G2A is like Cdkeys? I'll have to watch the videos when I have a chance. I don't know what big box stores pay for ps+ and live licenses, but I imagine it's a lot less than the msrp. Does buying a discounted online service have the same issues as buying a game key?

 

[SLoco]

I buy from CDkeys often but I'm not gonna lie the site does seem a little shady.

Gaming companies sell in bulk their games to countries like Argentina,Ukraine,Russia,Turkey,Indonesia and so on up to 50 percent price off compared to "Western" world.
They do not region lock those games(or in worst case they are emea,asian lock) so people all around world who got money issues are able to purchase game they want.
Then companies like cdkeys who are based in Gulf area purchase those games from "developing countries markets" and sell you key.(Most of games are sold in box with key on paper without cd/dvd/blueray).
You will never see Witcher 3 steam code on there or Divinity Original Sin,Rust etc because publishers did not allow it,and if you see game on there its because publishers do not mind.So there is no need for anyone to feel bad because publishers are maximizing their profits by exposing games to larger crowds.
Who got 70 dollars for game buy it support people you like but if you don't have support with amount you can and later on buy expansion,dlc,skin whatever.

 

[HTK]

Bought PS Plus 12 Month Subscription from CDKeys few days ago, buying experience was easy and the code worked. No issues at all.

 

[Quantum253]

Gaming companies sell in bulk their games to countries like Argentina,Ukraine,Russia,Turkey,Indonesia and so on up to 50 percent price off compared to "Western" world.
They do not region lock those games(or in worst case they are emea,asian lock) so people all around world who got money issues are able to purchase game they want.
Then companies like cdkeys who are based in Gulf area purchase those games from "developing countries markets" and sell you key.(Most of games are sold in box with key on paper without cd/dvd/blueray).
You will never see Witcher 3 steam code on there or Divinity Original Sin,Rust etc because publishers did not allow it,and if you see game on there its because publishers do not mind.So there is no need for anyone to feel bad because publishers are maximizing their profits by exposing games to larger crowds.
Who got 70 dollars for game buy it support people you like but if you don't have support with amount you can and later on buy expansion,dlc,skin whatever.

So Cdkeys is not using stolen credit cards and other nefarious means to obtain game and live service codes? If understand your post, if Live and PS+ codes are on the site, Sony and Msoft don't care they are selling service codes for cheap.

 

[Quantum253]

Bought PS Plus 12 Month Subscription from CDKeys few days ago, buying experience was easy and the code worked. No issues at all.

I noticed the site the other day when I was looking to renew. Since then, I've been looking for why the site was cheaper and whether my CC was going to get stolen or ps account banned. I haven't seen anything so I went for it today. Hard to tell nowadays with some of these sites

 

[kiphalfton]

Yeah, can we talk about awful this recent steam sale was, and how it seemed like no one talked about it?

Wasn't that long ago steam sales felt like an event

Never thought I would say it, but console gamesarebow cheaper than PC games. I bought 50+ games from gamestop for $500 over Black Friday. They were used games, but still that is hard to beat (and these are related very high profile games).

It pains me to look at greenmangaming, steam, etc. and see games going for $30+ (that are a year old) that are "on sale".

 

[Futaleufu]

It depends on the game's regional pricing. Sometimes its cheaper on Steam, sometimes it's cheaper on gamersgate, fanatical, nuuvem or humble store

 

[lyan]

So Cdkeys is not using stolen credit cards and other nefarious means to obtain game and live service codes? If understand your post, if Live and PS+ codes are on the site, Sony and Msoft don't care they are selling service codes for cheap.

probably a mix of everything

 

[SLoco]

So Cdkeys is not using stolen credit cards and other nefarious means to obtain game and live service codes? If understand your post, if Live and PS+ codes are on the site, Sony and Msoft don't care they are selling service codes for cheap.

As far i know they are buying psychical copies from "developing countries" with large population.Copies do not hold disk inside but rather paper with code on it.They snap picture of code scan it and if you buy game you get that.
If they are using stolen credit cards that is matter for police and unlike g2a which acts like "middle man" they are registered company and easy to sue or get law involved.

Most of people can't afford prices from "western world" because of living standard.Everyone i knew use to pirate games all time because they could not afford it.Firstly from guy on street then later on just by downloading from internet.
Nowadays almost all of them buy legal games and its because of :
1. Introduction of regional prices
2. Second hand shops
3.Removal of regional locks
4.Constant Sales
5.Shipping 100x times more copies of game to country A so that country B(one with heavy taxes like Brazil,China) can get em via alternative ways.

There is now more people who play games then ever before and everyone is competing for time of gamer.Every gamer matters and from situation in which entire country use to pirate games now you have CUSTOMERS.
They can chose to put USA prices for Argentina and get zero profit or they can chose to adapt to people of Argentina and get money.
They can also chose to region lock it to Argentina or to South America but they chose not to and it is because they want people all around world to buy their games with amount of money they can afford.
So that is why i said DO NOT feel bad buying from website like those.Game publishers know exactly what they doing and if they do not act someone else will.

Just remember how Microsoft not even 7 years ago wanted to bound game to console so you could not give it your friend.How they wanted to kill used game copies with official stores and always online console.Why?
More money of course and it backfired in worst possible way.
Look at them now play everywhere you want,gamepass,DAY 1 GAMES For 10 dollars subscription.That is beauty of capitalism if you do not provide someone else will.
They want you in their ECOSYSTEM No matter what and thus they are OK WITH people buying for low prices.You really think Sony cant patch game share system in which 2 guys can buy one game and play it at same time?or when guy from Moldovia put his ps account to Alaska and keep buying games with gift cards because their Credit card wont work?
Why do gaming companies ship 100 times more games to countries bordering with China even do there is no need for that particular market?Because games and consoles end up in China.They know exactly what they doing.
PROFIT.


Thanks for reading.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

Because frankly I have enough money not to give a shit. Convenience is worth €, as any business will tell you.

 

[Sander Cohen]

Also worth mentioning is that they have 5£/5$ PSN coupons which Amazon doesn’t. Great for buying DLC and such.

 

[Thicc Enigma]

I've been buying from CDkeys for about 5 years now with no issues. I'm surprised people haven't caught on yet. They're a reliable site.

 

[Trimesh]

Why do gaming companies ship 100 times more games to countries bordering with China even do there is no need for that particular market?Because games and consoles end up in China.They know exactly what they doing.

A great example of that is the sheer number of games and consoles sold in Hong Kong - based on the raw numbers you might assume we are some of the most fanatical gamers on the planet -in fact, gaming is pretty popular here, but a huge amount ends up being shipped to Shenzhen and sold on the gray market.

 

[Fbh]

I've bought a few things from them in the past and never had any issues.
But recently thanks to regional pricing games are often cheaper or just as cheap on Steam/GOG as on CDKeys.
Also, CDKeys is still missing a lot of games. 2 out of the 4 games I bought during this sale just aren't available on CDKeys.

 

[reptilex]

CDKeys is an untrustworthy shady platform, fuck'em and there "restocking" scheme, but more generally key resellers have lower prices because they buy in bulk at the lowest price you can find on the market (or in bundles) and resell them slightly above the price of their recent lowest cut on "official" resellers.

So why wouldn't you buy at a lower price? No reason, at all, those who are a bit smarter will buy at cheaper price, those who are dumb will buy at full price, and this virtuous circles enables publishers to sells more to different pockets or profiles. That's how I got 10k games on Steam, I'm not rich just smart.

 

[Kadve]

There is no guarantee you actually get what you buy too. Had a couple of games where they apologized as i had bought an "old listing". Don't think i ever saw that game either. (did get my money back though when i eventually asked)

 

[danielJackson]

I think that the better question is:

Why people buy games from steam sales like crazy, just because they are cheap?

I have seen people with 1000-5000 games on steam because "they were so cheap on sales!"

And then people play maybe 5% of those

CDKeys is an untrustworthy shady platform, fuck'em and there "restocking" scheme, but more generally key resellers have lower prices because they buy in bulk at the lowest price you can find on the market (or in bundles) and resell them slightly above the price of their recent lowest cut on "official" resellers.

So why wouldn't you buy at a lower price? No reason, at all, those who are a bit smarter will buy at cheaper price, those who are dumb will buy at full price, and this virtuous circles enables publishers to sells more to different pockets or profiles. That's how I got 10k games on Steam, I'm not rich just smart.

Good example.

Are you sure you are smart consumer? Do you really need / play 10 000 games?

Collecting digital games doesnt seem to be smart thing to do.

Wouldnt smart person buy just few games they really want to play?

Not saying you are non-smart, maybe you really want or need 10 000 games. Just sounds that nobody will ever have time to play so many.

I'm on the same boat, I have like 400-500 PS2 game that I never play, but at least I can sell them, usually for more than I paid for And most people would say that it doesnt sound really smart thing to hoard ps2 games like this

 

[tylrdiablos]

I'm struggling with the Cyberpunk 2077 dilemma... either buy it from Steam and enjoy being able to (probably) preload the game a couple of days in advance but pay £50. Or pay £39 at CDKeys but have no idea when I'll get the actual key (could be as late as 6pm GMT on launch day) and hope the GOG download servers aren't being smashed.

 

[Trimesh]

I think that the better question is:

Why people buy games from steam sales like crazy, just because they are cheap?

It's the collector mentality. I'm familiar with it because I used to suffer from it - especially with physical games, until I finally realized there was zero point in keeping stuff I was never likely to play again.

 

[tvdaXD]

I used to buy from such sites, but in the end I didn't enjoy the constant feeling of the possibility that some keys might be revoked. In my case I bought Wildlands from G2A and after about 2 months the key got revoked. Luckily for me I bought it with G2A Shield or whatever so I got my money back. Anyways, it's a grey market, which means there's a possibility the keys are obtained through some creditcard fraud. Or the keys are actually free ones not meant to be sold. (Won in some contest or perhaps an additional one meant for friends or whatever.)
Anyways, I buy mine on Steam and legit partners; I rather pay a bit more knowing everything is alright and legitimate than cheap with the chance of it being a bad key.

 

[MilkLizard]

MS have banned people before who bought discounted Xbox Live codes because they were acquired illegally and then sold to customers.

It's just not worth the risk to save a few dollars IMO.

Them banning the customer for that is a total cunt move tho. Wtf???

 

[MilkLizard]

That's interesting. That's why I was curious about the site. I thought $15.00 cheaper than like Best Buy and Amazon wasn't too far off. Trigger is already pulled so we'll see how it goes. It was the fact they added extra 3 month subscriptions into two of the keys that seemed odd since I only purchased 12 months. If people are getting banned, I might have to hope for the best and not use the site again. Weird that when you Google PS+ Black Friday deals, CDKeys is one of the first sites to show in the search. It'd be crappy that Google is directing customers to sites that could cause issues. Especially when the site states they are cheaper because of the industry connections.

I buy PS+ and prepaid cards on cdkeys for years. You‘ll be fine don‘t worry.

 

[wolfmat]

I have seen people with 1000-5000 games on steam because "they were so cheap on sales!"

Yeah with libraries like that, it's like eating M&Ms, but every once in a while, and not too unfrequently, the M&M is filled with shit instead of chocolate. I've got about 500 games and it's like that. And I tried to only buy better-than-OK games. Still got to live with the shit-filled M&M every now and then.

Thing is, the library grows like that because of some sort of FOMO. So there's a sale, and this one game seems alright, might be something to play in the next three months or whatever, and it's on sale, and who knows when it's on sale the next time? And poof goes the money.

I still have to do the refund thing more often. Play half an hour, make the shit / no shit test basically, and then toss the M&M if it's the shit verdict.

The problems we have, eh?

 

[FrozenFlame]

Got RE3 for 13.55€. Steam has it for 19.79€.
So, yeah, I don't mind using CDKeys...

 

[Kamina]

Bought AC Valhalla Gold on PSN store, 100 bucks.
But i payed 88 bucks for 2x50 PSN Cards on CD Keys.

Saving 12 bucks

 

[TheSHEEEP]

ITT:

A bunch cheap motherf***** making excuses, while a few at least got the balls to admit they don't give a flying fuck if devs get paid for their work.