Is G2A Stolen Keys?
The answer to whether G2A sells stolen keys is a resounding yes, as evidenced by their own admission of selling 198 stolen keys for the game Factorio. The grey marketplace nature of G2A allows for the resale of keys obtained through various means, including stolen credit cards, which has led to controversy and criticism from game developers and players alike.
Understanding the Issue with G2A
The problem with G2A stems from its business model, which enables users to resell game keys without adequate verification of their authenticity or the seller’s ownership rights. This has created an environment where stolen keys can be sold, hurting both developers who do not receive payment for their work and buyers who risk purchasing invalid or revoked keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can You Trust G2A Keys?
G2A claims that keys sold on their marketplace are 100% legit because they come from official sources like developers and publishers. However, the presence of stolen keys contradicts this claim, highlighting a significant trust issue.
2. Why is G2A Considered a Bad Site?
Critics label G2A as a “grey marketplace” where keys are resold at higher prices, often without benefiting the developers. This practice, combined with the sale of stolen keys, has led to widespread criticism.
3. Why Are G2A Keys Cheap?
G2A keys can be cheap because sellers buy game keys in bulk at lower prices from developers and publishers, then resell them at a markup, but still often below the retail price.
4. Is It Illegal to Buy Steam Keys on G2A?
Buying Steam keys on G2A is not inherently illegal; however, the legitimacy and origin of these keys can be questionable, and using stolen keys is against the law.
5. Can You Get Banned from Steam for Using G2A?
While Steam prohibits the use of stolen keys, simply buying from G2A does not automatically result in a ban. The risk lies in whether the key is legitimate or not.
6. Should You Buy Games on G2A?
The decision to buy games on G2A should be made with caution due to the risk of purchasing stolen or invalid keys, which can lead to financial loss and support issues.
7. Are Key Resellers Bad?
Key resellers are not inherently bad, but they can pose risks, including the sale of invalid or stolen keys, and often cannot provide support for the products they sell.
8. Are Key Resellers Legal?
As long as key resellers are buying and selling keys legally, without using stolen means, their operations are technically legal, though they may violate Terms of Service agreements with game platforms.
9. Is G2A 100% Safe?
While G2A claims to have a secure payment gateway, the safety of using their service is compromised by the potential for stolen keys and the lack of robust consumer protection policies.
10. How Many Keys on G2A Are Stolen?
G2A admitted to selling 198 stolen keys for Factorio, but the total number of stolen keys sold through their platform is not publicly known.
11. Do Developers Make Money from G2A?
Developers can make money from G2A through their Developers and Publishers Program, where they receive a commission from sales of their games. However, this does not address the issue of stolen keys.
12. Why Do Developers Hate G2A?
Developers often dislike G2A because the platform can facilitate the sale of stolen keys, reducing their earnings, and because G2A‘s policies do not adequately protect them or their customers.
13. Is G2A Better Than CDKeys?
CDKeys is considered by some to be a more trustworthy alternative to G2A, as it does not explicitly act as a marketplace for stolen goods. However, both operate within the grey market.
14. Does G2A Use Stolen Credit Cards?
G2A themselves do not use stolen credit cards, but their marketplace can be used by sellers who obtain keys through such means, which G2A has acknowledged and attempted to address.
15. Does G2A Launder Money?
G2A claims to be compliant with Anti-Money Laundering regulations, though the lack of transparency in their operations and the presence of stolen keys raise questions about the effectiveness of these compliance measures.