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submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by Blaze@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/buyeuropean@feddit.uk
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[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 118 points 1 month ago

Steam is still basically the only option AND they are actually helping Linux a lot with game compatibility. Altough, if I need games specifically on steam I'll be buying the key from Greenmangaming (UK) or GamersGate (Sweden). If anybody has more alternatives feel free to let me know so I can add them to my list.

GOG sadly misses a majority of games atm so I just can't replace steam with it yet.

[-] RmDebArc_5@sh.itjust.works 35 points 1 month ago

I’m quite fond of Fanatical. They are based in the UK and also sometimes sell DRM free books/audiobooks

[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 16 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Ohh I've actually been on their website sometime. Good to know they're UK based thanks!

Update:

[-] brbposting@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago
[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 4 points 1 month ago

My purchase on fanatical

[-] VeganCheesecake 35 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Third party key market places are kinda iffy, and there have been numerous cases of the keys being offered on there having been bought with stolen credit cards, or otherwise generated in ways that aren't quite above board.

I remember one interview with an indy dev in which they said they prefer people pirating, because chargebacks from stolen cards are actively costing them money.

For people who feel they need the entertainment games provide, but can't afford current prices, I feel pirating games from conglomerates, and buying from smaller studios and indies is the most socially responsible way to do it, but I'm not your mum.

Edit: Huh, looks like greenmangaming gets their keys directly from the publishers. Didn't know that was a thing. Guess I was a bit quick on the trigger there, should have checked first. Sorry about that.

[-] RisingSwell@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 1 month ago

G2A is probably the big example of Devs prefering you pirate instead of buying.

Only use G2A if you actively wish harm on the company making the game.

[-] kuberoot@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 1 month ago

Don't use G2A even if you wish harm on the company making the game, it's still supporting scammers and thieves, just pirate the game.

[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 3 points 1 month ago

See you already found the reason it is ok, but yeah what you are saying is completely right when talking about sites like G2A, Kinguin, etc where YOU can sell your keys as that opens the gates for illegal stuff

Hence I mentioned legit resellers (from the EU) that do support the publishers.

[-] Ghost33313@beehaw.org 17 points 1 month ago

I don't believe gog will ever have a full library. They require all their games to be DRM free. Until corporate gaming changes GOG won't.

[-] carotte 10 points 1 month ago

ive seen that gog is incredibly picky with what games are allowed on its platform too, which doesn’t help

iirc they refused Balatro, and initially even refused Undertale for being too low quality, before changing their minds when they saw the absolute phenomenon that game had become

(I got this from hearsay tho so don’t take it as a fact)

[-] RedSnt@feddit.dk 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

There ought to more indie outlets like itch.io, preferably non-American, and maybe if GOG had a similar site for just free or low cost indie games, that'd help bring upcoming indie artists in the door which eventually could make trustworthy titles worthy of their more premium store. Shame they have such odd vetting process, yet they don't have a problem with over low quality stuff like the Postal series^[https://www.gog.com/en/games?query=postal&order=desc%3Ascore&discounted=true].

[-] curbstickle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 month ago

Thats a plus for me, and why when I buy its through gog. My steam library is large, but hasn't grown in years.

[-] strongarm@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago

Not all their games are DRM free though, they 'sold out' a long time ago.

[-] Emptiness@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago

isthereanydeal.com

No grey market key sellers, only legit.

[-] index@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 month ago

Steam is still basically the only option

When cornered people finally admit that steam is a small monopoly

[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 12 points 1 month ago

Steam isn't a monopoly, there are other choices but they just suck. Epic games in terms of game availability already replaces a good 80% of my active library, itch, ubisoft, ea, etc also exist but are just so bad as well.

Steam is basically the only option... That cares about gamers and actually provides a good service.

[-] ddash@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 month ago

You are still fucked then if Steam decides to take out a game you purchased. Again the whole "you're not buying a product but a license for the product" debacle. Other than not giving Steam any money, this doesn't change much? Could just pirate games instead.

[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 8 points 1 month ago

I never said I cared about that in the first place. But even after games are removed from Steam they still allow you to download it whenever. Its only really an issue should Gabe choose a replacement for him that isn't as pro gamers as he is.

This community is about buying european, not complaining about having DRM.

[-] KSPAtlas@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 month ago

The name GamersGate sounds like it didn't any issues at all /s

[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 2 points 1 month ago

Yeahhh I don't know who thought that was a good name hahaha

[-] tuoret@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

Don't know if you're serious but the store is way older than that similar-sounding thing

[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 1 points 1 month ago

This is the oldest "gate" scandal I can think of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal but generally adding -gate after something is used for a scandalous situation. Although it makes 0.0% sense, thats just how culture picked it up. Thats how the gamergate scandal became the name (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamergate_(harassment_campaign))

[-] Lemjukes@lemm.ee 3 points 1 month ago

Wait what exactly is the purpose of buying a steam key from a third party? And how is that profitable and not tos breaking?

[-] StinkyRedMan@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago

Keys can be cheaper when there isn't any ongoing steam sales. Some website are shady and should be avoided but some are 100% legit. Any reseller listed on isthereanydeal is safe to use, they get their keys directly from publishers.

[-] Kualdir@feddit.nl 6 points 1 month ago

Good question! Real resellers (so NOT g2a, etc) get their keys from publishers directly (so they pay for them). The publishers get these keys from steam for free and by buying them from a reseller steam takes 0% of the money. So by using an EU reseller more money stays here.

this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2025
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