The recent G2A controversy has led to the key reseller proposing a key-blocking tool to game developers as a solution for dealing with the problem of stolen games being sold on their storefront. Ideally, this not-yet-developed technology would allow game developers to stop illicitly-acquired game keys from being sold on G2A, but the game developers would have to put in some work on their part. Developers are, understandably, somewhat less than responsive to this nonetheless bold proposal.
A bit of background: G2A essentially acts like eBay for video game keys. People can sell game keys via the website and receive money in exchange with G2A taking a cut of the profits (as most stores are wont to do). However, an indeterminate portion of the keys on the website has reportedly been illicitly-acquired, either through botting, deception, or outright theft. Suffice it to say, this doesn’t make game developers terribly happy.
ALSO: G2A to pay developers money lost from illegally obtained keys
Following a petition by developers asking for indie games to be removed from the store, G2A engaged in a back and forth on the topic. Eventually, the G2A controversy escalated to the point that the key-reseller came up with the proposal for a key-blocking tool.
Essentially, the G2A key blocking tool would work as a blacklist against game keys administered by the developer. A developer (or someone authorized to act on their behalf) need only get themselves verified on the site. From there, they can enter a list of game keys into the key blocking tool interface. If someone attempts to sell a game key on the blacklist, the transaction would be blocked.
Game developers tend to generate dozens (if not hundreds) of game keys to hand out to reviewers and influencers. Unfortunately, a portion of these keys are not used for their intended purpose and ultimately end up sold on third-party platforms like G2A. The proposed key blocking tool is a potential solution to this problem, but developers seem unimpressed so far.
They're proposing a tool to make illegally obtained keys someone else's problem, and they want 100 devs to acknowledge that this is all good and dandy.
Absolutely get to fuck, G2A. Do not sign this. https://t.co/hXPUCE0Sk2
— Matt Phillips (bigevilboss@mastodon.gamedev.place) (@bigevilboss) July 12, 2019
The G2A key blocking tool hasn’t been actually developed just yet, as the blog post proposing the tool wants to get 100 developers on board with the program before they actually go forward with development. Judging by the reactions so far, I don’t think that it’s terribly likely.
