Ubisoft deactivating keys it says were "fraudulently" obtained and resold

FoxEye · 26 Jan 2015 at 18:47

robmol said:
Whilst I agree it's strange to wait x amount of time before realising a key is fraudulent, it's about time someone cracked down on these shady key sites. There's so many of them now most of which have next to zero customer service and shady practices - what are Ubisoft meant to do? Oh they stole a load of cd keys but nevermind..? There are legit licensed key resellers who have great prices such as GMG, getgamesgo, humblestore etc etc and are unaffected by these bans.

GMG, GGG, etc, tend to have the same/ similar prices as Steam. None of them are any good unless there's a sale on. The regular prices are just naff.

As for the grey market, don't Ubi region-lock their games? I thought they did.

Moothead2 · 26 Jan 2015 at 18:51

I've heard a lot of keys are bought with stolen cards then sold to/through key sellers or through some other shady methods. If they do appear to be dodgy then they're not just going to let little old Jimmy keep his game out of the goodness of their heart, it's between you and the key seller to sort that part out. Whenever I buy a key through these sites I'm well aware that at any moment it can be removed. It's a risk I'm willing to take to save money and would have no qualms a publisher or developer doing so if it's a fraudulent key.

FoxEye · 26 Jan 2015 at 18:57

They've also deactivated keys from places like Gamesrocket - which I thought was a legit reseller.

So it's not even always obvious who is legit and who isn't.

Moothead2 · 26 Jan 2015 at 19:04

If they're banning legit keys because they don't like them selling them for less than their 'verified' sellers then I agree that's out of order.

Bickaxe · 26 Jan 2015 at 19:28

Had Watchdogs key banned.

Bought from USAGAMES (via Kinguin).

Contacted Kinguin who credited my account with what I had paid for it within 24 hours (over Xmas day) and even apologised for the delay.

Tefal · 26 Jan 2015 at 19:47

randal said:
How do these sites get their keys in the first place?

they buy in places like poland, far east russia etc areas where ubi and others sell their games much cheaper (because no ****er would buy them/could buy them at the price they charge here, then they sell the key to you here.

Flack88 · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:08

Moothead2 said:
If they're banning legit keys because they don't like them selling them for less than their 'verified' sellers then I agree that's out of order.

Seems Ubisoft doesn't like the Capitalist system.

agnes · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:12

Lol, Ubisoft, the guy not only to shoot him self in the foot. But to then proceed to look down the barrel of the gun in confusion. Only to blow his head off.

RIP Ubi, I doubt you'll see the end of 2015 without a struggle.

Oh Ed not again. · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:13

Tefal said:
they buy in places like poland, far east russia etc areas where ubi and others sell their games much cheaper (because no ****er would buy them/could buy them at the price they charge here, then they sell the key to you here.

So they're not region locking then?

Also, isn't this part channel problem on their side?

flinco · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:17

Had my AC Unity key revoked. Waiting for Ubisoft to reply to my support ticket so I can provide proof to G2A who will hopefully refund me!

Rroff · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:19

Obligatory - people still buy Ubisoft games?!?!

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:26

Wonder what happens with keys via origin india.....

Witcher1979 · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:27

flinco said:
Had my AC Unity key revoked. Waiting for Ubisoft to reply to my support ticket so I can provide proof to G2A who will hopefully refund me!

Could always open a case with paypal or with your card.

Longbow · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:43

agnes said:
RIP Ubi, I doubt you'll see the end of 2015 without a struggle.

Whilst I would love to see the demise of Ubisoft, I don't think they are going anywhere soon. Even without PC gamers they will live on.

KingDazza · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:44

@ witcher
Paypal don't provide much cover for software.

Doogles · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:56

I don't buy Ubisoft games anymore anyway. Was interested in The Crew but with the rubberbanding A.I I am hearing about I am not bothering.

Raumarik · 26 Jan 2015 at 21:03

Nothing I want from Ubisoft now anyway, didn't get FC4 or Unity. I honestly can't remember where I got my other key from but I best go check my account I guess!

Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot eh Ubisoft?

K1LaW8tt5 · 26 Jan 2015 at 21:09

well ****, all my ubi games were bought through key sites. ah well off to check if any have been romoved

hyperseven · 26 Jan 2015 at 23:46

Ubisoft "Believing" bad things happened but offering no proof.

Ubisoft breaching their own EULA by not informing users that the game(s) had been revoked and why.

So far Ubi haven't provided any proof that the keys were stolen and it's all stacked against them

RecluSe · 27 Jan 2015 at 00:39

I too had my Far Cry 4 game suddenly vanish from my games library over the weekend. The one thing that really annoys me is there was no warning, no email as to why they removed it, just gone! At least places like Steam and Origin have the courtesy to let you know the reasons behind removing it from your account. Now I have to play the waiting game with Ubisoft customer service, joy.