ramJun 23, 2023

Postal Devs ask fans to pirate games instead of using key resellers, giving explicit permission to fans

https://lemmy.ca/post/850687

Postal Devs ask fans to pirate games instead of using key resellers, giving explicit permission to fans - Lemmy.ca

Running With Scissors: > Key reselling websites hurt indie developers like us. There are many ways to obtain our games and we STILL prefer piracy over people buying from those websites. > Illegaly obtained keys are a source of money for scammers and it could even affect you as the customer in some cases. NiX: > I love you guys and postal series, but I’m not made of money, if I can get a game for cheaper I’d rather pay less than more. Running With Scissors: > Which is why we’re telling you to pirate our games instead of paying a scammer who will cost us money and probably even get your key revoked > Our games are cheap right now through official sites. Is saving a few cents worth lowering the chances for releasing another POSTAL game? NiX: > Isn’t pirating illegal? You want your fans get fines and shit? Now they are on sale so I might pick up some but normally i still rather get the game of g2a for cheaper Running With Scissors: > You can’t get fines if the owners of the IP give you permission to download. > Just know that by getting on G2A, we not only get no money, we also have to pay for the chargeback, that’s the core of the problem and it means no new games in the future and no more RWS

Show threadalehelJun 24, 2023
How does this work? How are the keysellers able to make keys that cost the developer money?
Show threadfreundTechJun 24, 2023

Many of the keys sold on key reselling sites are bought with stolen credit cards. It usually works like this:

  • Someone obtains stolen credit card data (can be easily bought on the dark web)
  • The stolen credit card data is used to buy keys from official key sellers (or directly from the developer of they offer them)
  • Those keys are then sold on key reselling sites
  • The credit card owner notices that his credit card data was stolen, contacts his credit card company and does a charge back. 5.The official key seller has to pay back the money + a charge back fee.
    • Show threadalehelJun 24, 2023
    Oh. Now I feel bad. I've bought keys a few times from such sites assuming they just bought them in bulk for resale ☹️
    Show threadCrotaro
    You and me both. Maybe it has changed since then, but when I found out about this, I was told that there are a handful stores that operate legally. Apparently the ones that are listed on isthereanydeal.com are legally operating businesses? Other than that, Humble Bundle is also working legally.
    Jun 24, 2023 at 7:55pmWeb