Green Man Gaming (Steam) Deals: 25% Off Hitman

vince_carter said:
It's nothing like piracy. The same way buying a bunch of langers juice for .10 a piece and mailing in the labels for $10 PSN cards wasn't piracy. It's a promotional program that people are taking advantage of. The onus is on them to stop people from using SAM, and they don't seem to give a fuck. I would say buying steam keys from eastern euro traders is far more shady. All your posts about this just read like sour grapes to me because you don't want to risk your GMG account, but want free stuff (and fast) and don't want to see other people getting free stuff before you.
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Your comparison is utterly nonsensical, because one promotion is being done correctly and according to the promoter's terms, while the other is being exploited and is clearly violating the promoter's terms.

They obviously do "give a fuck", since their ToS clearly states that using SAM to unlock achievements for rewards is against the rules. They simply haven't (possibly can't, as we shall see) banned anyone for doing so yet.

There's no sour grapes going on here. I hardly use GMG these days because their sales are weak and honestly, I got to a point in my Steam library where I have so many games I'm not usually worried about buying things (besides bundles that I have an addiction to and are too hard to pass up). However, as I have said multiple times, I do like the Playfire system when it works properly. It's gotten me to play some games I normally wouldn't have, or fire up games I haven't played in awhile (like They Bleed Pixels), and it's nice being rewarded with usable credit to buy new games and continue the cycle. I'd like for that system to continue because I think it's fun, and I'm not the only one who feels like that way.

Nowhere have I said "All you SAMmers, stop now!", I've only stated my opinion on the subject. Remember, you're on an internet forum, where opinions tend to be stated now and then. You can be as defensive or apathetic about it as you like.

 
Bruticis said:
Oh I get your point 100% and honestly, I completely agree (about people screwing it up for everyone, not the piracy crap) BUT you can't control the random people on the internet. You and I both know this is getting exploited to hell and back right now by far more people then just a couple of people on CAG. Jump in while you can before it's gone for good.
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Of course. I'm definitely not deluded enough to think that I can stop people from using SAM, nor am I trying to. I don't have the mindset of "Add to the problem to cash in because of everyone else is.", but I can imagine many do.

 
Idiotekque said:
Of course. I'm definitely not deluded enough to think that I can stop people from using SAM, nor am I trying to. I don't have the mindset of "Add to the problem to cash in because of everyone else is.", but I can imagine many do.
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Give it another 10-20 years, you'll be bitter and jaded and ready to walk on everyone's backs to get what you need.

 
Bruticis said:
Where do you come up with this stuff? I realise you're probably one of those people that just do what you're ordered to do without question but how the hell did you connect the dots to getting your steam account terminated?
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"I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail." ;)

Internet assumptions never cease to give me a good laugh. Thanks for that. (No sarcasm)

Perhaps the word "terminated" is a bit overstating in all likelihood, but that language comes straight from the Steam Subscriber Agreement (below). As I understand it if you're caught by Playfire you'd be banned from Playfire (who cares, right?) and your Steam account blacklisted (naturally), then they'ed report your Steam account to Valve. Sure it's probably a hollow threat and I believe there's a slim chance of that happening but a chance nonetheless of Valve suspending ones account.

My intent wasn't to rustle anyones jimmies. Is this the part where I'm supposed to say "I'm sorry Lord Bruticis?"

From the Playfire FAQ:
[customspoiler="What happens to people who exploit Playfire Rewards?"]
If you're worried about other users abusing the Playfire Rewards system, don't be. Providing you stick within the rules, don't cheat and be genuine about the your gaming activity, you will be fine.

Can Playfire detect people exploiting Playfire Rewards?
Yes. Due to the data we track when you play games we are able to use precise algorithms to monitor and analyse Rewards behaviour and detect suspicious activity. When our system spots anything out of the ordinary, we are alerted. We are then able to investigate and take action on any potential abusers.

What happens to users who abuse the Rewards program?
Users who abuse the Rewards program will be immediately banned from Playfire, their Steam account blacklisted and reported to Valve. This may also impact the users ability to earn credit and receive discounts on Green Man Gaming in the future. Please be clear - this is at the discretion of the Playfire and Green Man Gaming staff, and their decision is final and non-negotiable.[/customspoiler]

From Steam's Subscriber Agreement:
[customspoiler=" 4. ONLINE CONDUCT, CHEATING AND ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR"]

You agree that you will be personally responsible for the use of your Account and for all of the communication and activity on Steam that results from use of your Account. Your online conduct and interaction with other Subscribers should be guided by common sense and basic etiquette. Specific requirements may also be found in the Steam Online Conduct rules at http://steampowered.com/index.php?area=online_conduct, other Rules of Use, the Subscription Terms, or in terms of use imposed by third parties who host particular games or other services.

Steam and the Software may include functionality designed to identify software or hardware processes or functionality that may give a player an unfair competitive advantage when playing multiplayer versions of any Software or modifications of Software (“Cheats”). You agree that you will not create Cheats or assist third parties in any way to create Cheats. You agree that you will not directly or indirectly disable, circumvent, or otherwise interfere with the operation of software designed to prevent or report the use of Cheats. You acknowledge and agree that either Valve or any online multiplayer host may refuse to allow you to participate in certain online multiplayer games if you use Cheats in connection with Steam or the Software. Further, you acknowledge and agree that an online multiplayer host may report your use of Cheats to Valve, and Valve may communicate your history of use of Cheats to other online multiplayer hosts. Valve may terminate your Account or a particular Subscription for any conduct or activity that Valve believes is illegal, constitutes a Cheat, or otherwise negatively affects the enjoyment of Steam by other Subscribers. You acknowledge that Valve is not required to provide you notice before terminating your Subscriptions(s) and/or Account, but it may choose to do so.

You may not use Cheats, automation software (bots), mods, hacks, or any other unauthorized third-party software, to modify or automate any Subscription Marketplace process.[/customspoiler]

 
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Deuterium7 said:
Can Playfire detect people exploiting Playfire Rewards?

Yes. Due to the data we track when you play games we are able to use precise algorithms to monitor and analyse Rewards behaviour and detect suspicious activity. When our system spots anything out of the ordinary, we are alerted. We are then able to investigate and take action on any potential abusers.
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This is what could be a hollow threat or not. They could be totally bullshitting, but there's also the likelihood that they aren't, and no punishment has happened as of yet because all of their "investigative" time has been spent trying to clean up the mess of rewards not tracking, credits not transferring, etc.

Now that those issues are starting to be cleared up... time will tell if they spend their time actually punishing the accounts that have been exploiting rewards through SAM.

 
Gedemer said:
Cant decide if I want ESO since Dark Souls is coming out :(
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If ESO ain't improved much since its Beta a few weeks back, I'd just stay the hell away from ESO.

The Beta was....quite mediocre.

Given the ESO Beta, it looks like it's born for F2P or B2P (w/ no sub-fees like GW2).

 
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Gedemer said:
Cant decide if I want ESO since Dark Souls is coming out :(
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Stick with Dark Souls and wait on Elder Scrolls Online. It's unclear how ESO will play out at this point.

Idiotekque said:
This is what could be a hollow threat or not. They could be totally bullshitting, but there's also the likelihood that they aren't, and no punishment has happened as of yet because all of their "investigative" time has been spent trying to clean up the mess of rewards not tracking, credits not transferring, etc.

Now that those issues are starting to be cleared up... time will tell if they spend their time actually punishing the accounts that have been exploiting rewards through SAM.
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c71a2cd76121ddecfbdd16575a7cc45e1fb8bdaa3df8dd1d605999c62e32a7b9.jpg


 
I don't really give a fuck about this argument but since you asked...

Idiotekque said:
If you'd like to explain why it's not akin to piracy, be my guest. That's not really the point of my "moral crusade" (as I explained above in my reply to Brut), but it really isn't much different.
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Its not piracy... Piracy involves not paying anyone for anything. aka developer/publisher/etc don't get anything but in this case they are as people are buying the game legitimately. Trust me, 2K or whomever, isn't going to not take their share because someone worked Playfire/GMG's system.

 
Idiotekque said:
Now that those issues are starting to be cleared up... time will tell if they spend their time actually punishing the accounts that have been exploiting rewards through SAM.
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Except that it's cleared up for some people who were having issues and then screwed up for some who weren't like me and Neuro so...

Drabelincoln said:
Sounds like if you don't use Sam you get banned
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Basically.

So they are banning non SAM users and not banning obvious SAM users. They fixed the problems some people were having with Playfire and created problems for some who previously weren't having any.

Good job GMG, good job.

 
Drabelincoln said:
Sounds like if you don't use Sam you get banned
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I don't know. When it comes to places like NeoGAF, it's guilty until proven innocent. I don't know that person well enough to take their word that A) SAM bans are happening and B) that they're innocent. People lie about ban reasons/claim innocence/"troll" all the time when it comes to those sort of things. An isolated incident isn't enough to convince me. Screenshots would help their case, at least when it comes to it saying "We banned you for using SAM", I suppose screenshots can't prove lack of SAM usage.

 
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All this pirating talk

Hey remember when everyone was pirating games from EA by using that coupon that wasn't intended for everyone but everyone used it.

Did we have people white knighting in that thread or because it's EA it's ok?
 
Drabelincoln said:
I think someone mentioned earlier you could have been playing in offline mode, and when you logged on they updated.
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I would of had way more Civ V achievements then I currently do if this worked. My wife plays civ V mostly in offline mode. Nothing ever pops up when I log in.
 
Bruticis said:
Oh I get your point 100% and honestly, I completely agree (about people screwing it up for everyone, not the piracy crap) BUT you can't control the random people on the internet. You and I both know this is getting exploited to hell and back right now by far more people then just a couple of people on CAG. Jump in while you can before it's gone for good.
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I don't know many people outside of the CAG community with libraries vast enough to exploit this. Digital PC gaming isn't really the biggest market. Even so I am friends with many of gamers and gaming groups and none of them know or use playfire.
 
Cyset said:
I don't know many people outside of the CAG community with libraries vast enough to exploit this. Digital PC gaming isn't really the biggest market. Even so I am friends with many of gamers and gaming groups and none of them know or use playfire.
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Take pep over on neocraps, reddit, and 4chan gaming forums. LOTS of people talk about it and those are the 3 heavy hitters.

 
Thermopyle said:
I'm curious as to whether he contacted support and that's how they caught it.
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I believe he said he did contact them concerning missing credit and they determined he was using SAM and banned him. Apparently he wasn't and has had his account reinstated and credits applied.

Edited: He contacted a specific person to review the situation because general support said "Whatevah, you are banned and you don't get to ask why".

 
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Drabelincoln said:
I think someone mentioned earlier you could have been playing in offline mode, and when you logged on they updated.
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FWIW I played through Waking Mars on Desura before it came out on Steam. Then I played it on Steam, loaded my old save near the end and all the achievements magically popped up before I even had an real play time in it on Steam. So yeah, it's possible.

 
Motoki said:
FWIW I played through Waking Mars on Desura before it came out on Steam. Then I played it on Steam, loaded my old save near the end and all the achievements magically popped up before I even had an real play time in it on Steam. So yeah, it's possible.
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I play all my games in offline mode, because I am not always online.
 
Motoki said:
FWIW I played through Waking Mars on Desura before it came out on Steam. Then I played it on Steam, loaded my old save near the end and all the achievements magically popped up before I even had an real play time in it on Steam. So yeah, it's possible.
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I had the same thing happen with SR3... copied my save over from a friend's computer I initially played it on.

 
Palinn said:
I believe he said he did contact them concerning missing credit and they determined he was using SAM and banned him. Apparently he wasn't and has had his account reinstated and credits applied.

Edited: He contacted a specific person to review the situation because general support said "Whatevah, you are banned and you don't get to ask why".
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hal said:
And unbanned.
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So basically, his/her banning amounted to 'Where's my credits?' 'You suck. NO SOUP FOR YOU!' Playfire Nazi's Boss: "Whoops, sorry dude'.

 
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