Buying Game Keys Ethically: How to Get Deals Without the Drawbacks

As a passionate gamer and industry expert, I often get asked if it‘s worth buying game keys from unauthorized resellers that advertise insanely cheap prices. The short answer? No, it is generally not worth the substantial risks posed by fraudulent keys, lack of accountability, and financial harm to developers. However, for bargain hunters willing to do a little extra research, there are plenty of legitimate ways to save money on new games without sacrificing ethics or security.

Understanding the Controversy Around Unauthorized Key Resellers

Sites like G2A, Kinguin, and CDKeys operate as open online marketplaces, allowing independent sellers to peddle game keys often at steeply discounted rates compared to official retailers. For cash-strapped gamers, the chance to snag a hot new release for a fraction of full price can be incredibly alluring.

However, deeply discounted game keys from unauthorized third parties come with serious drawbacks buyers should thoughtfully weigh:

Fraudulent or Non-Working Game Keys

Sellers on open marketplaces obtain game keys through various means, legal and otherwise. Some legally buy keys in regions where software prices are extremely low, then resell to buyers in higher-priced regions, pocketing the difference.

Unfortunately, many keys originate from fraudulent purchases made with stolen payment credentials then quickly resold before they can be revoked. These illegitimately obtained keys often stop working after a short time, leaving buyers empty-handed. By one estimate, over 35% of unauthorized reseller keys are obtained fraudulently, costing the industry $300 million annually.

Without developer cooperation, open marketplaces have no reliable means to verify if a discounted key is legitimate or not before listing it for sale. And once purchased, most provide little recourse if a key fails to activate or later gets revoked.

Lack of Accountability

Unlike authorized retailers who obtain keys directly from publishers, unauthorized resellers take no responsibility for defective or fraudulent keys. As open platforms, they claim no direct control over individual seller actions.

When purchased keys don‘t work, opaque refund policies often force buyers to contact the independent seller directly within extremely short windows, usually 7-14 days. Sellers often disappear in these cases, leaving the buyer high and dry without refund or working game key.

In a recent investigation, over 60% of G2A seller inquiries went unanswered, highlighting the widespread lack of accountability. Compared to authorized retailers like Humble Bundle who guarantee working keys, it‘s a risky gamble most experts advise avoiding.

Financial Harm to Game Developers

The prevalence of illegally obtained keys trafficked on sites like G2A directly harms developers who receive little money, if any, from these unauthorized reseller transactions.

Sean Vanaman, founder of Firewatch developer Campo Santo, has vocally condemned unauthorized resellers. Asserting openly that these sites promote "‘deniable, probably theft-involved, economics,‘" he takes a bold stance:

"To any player of ours who finds value in the gray markets,
I kindly ask you to consider the value you find there and whether a video game – whose creators cannot feed their families on gray market returns – is worth propping that economy up. I urge you to torrent our games rather than buy them from key re-sellers. Though the loss is real for us, nothing compares to the extraordinary losses these marketplaces enable."

For developers already working on thin margins, 50% commission fees that authorized sellers like Steam charge hardly make sales through legal retailers lucrative. Losing even a small portion of revenue to fraudulent gray market keys places untenable strain on many studios‘ survival. Some game creators have even begged players to pirate their titles instead of buying from unauthorized resellers.

Legitimate Ways to Find Game Deals and Support Developers

Thankfully for deal-seeking gamers, plenty of legitimate options exist to enjoy new titles at discounted prices:

• Authorized 3rd Party Retailers – Sites like Green Man Gaming, Fanatical, and Humble Bundle work directly with publishers to sell legitimate keys, often discounted 5-25% or more off retail costs. Purchases support developers while giving buyers discounted games backed by strong customer protections.
• Official Steam Sales – For 2-4 times annually, Steam marks thousands of popular games up to 90% off for limited-time sales with steeper discounts on older titles. Following games on your Wishlist alerts you to sales.
• Reddit Giveaway Communities – Subreddits like RandomActsOfGaming facilitate developer-approved game giveaways. It‘s free, legal, fosters community, and supports developers through increased awareness while giving games added exposure.
• IsThereAnyDeal Aggregator – This site compiles prices and deals from over 30 authorized game sellers. An easy way to quickly find the best official discount on titles you want.

Checking some of these handy tools below can help ensure you reliably find great deals through legitimate retailers supporting developers:

Making Informed, Ethical Purchase Decisions

While it may be tempting to take a chance on unauthorized reseller keys that seem almost too good to be true, experts strongly advise gamers carefully weigh the risks first. Consider if short-term savings outweigh the real chance of unscrupulous behavior harming creators.

For players valuing gameplay quality, lasting enjoyment, and supporting developer livelihoods higher than extreme discounts, plenty of legitimate options exist to save money. And there are always giveaways!

By taking a little extra time researching authorized retailers, checking aggregators for deals, and participating in community giveaways, gamers can easily keep costs down while avoiding potentially illegal marketplaces. Thoughtful, well-informed buying choices support creators and contribute to a healthier, more ethical gaming economy where players and developers all mutually thrive.