Short version refer to the following known scammers wiki list, though it hasn't been updated in quite a while.

www.gogwiki.com/wiki/Known_Scammers

of the alt accounts is on there but the [url=https://www.gog.com/forum/general/the_actual_complete_edition_of_eu_iii_for_free/post10]other is not, so a good idea is to do a quick search of the username on the forum and in particular the following thread:

www.gog.com/forum/general/known_scammers_mach_two?search=swatkat

The relevant information is there for you to process and then decide whether to give away your games to those accounts or not. If you want the long version then I can explain to you in more detail via chat but it seems you have set it to either "friends only" or "nobody". :)

I guess I would be labeled a complete dick if I were to ask how or why I'm supposed to just assume the info in those links is accurate? I mean there's no chance any of those are being "falsely accused?' It just seems to me that there is no way possible for anyone, even gog themselves, to know with certainty if an account is an "alt account."

I dunno, I do see your point, and I guess I need to rethink how I do my giveaways, but I'm most likely just going to continue with them same way. if someone wants a game so bad that they'll go to the trouble of creating 10 alt accounts, then maybe they deserve to win. I dunno though, I guess that would be unfair to those who didn't cheat. Ugh, now I'm wondering whether or not to do any more giveaways.

Oh, and my chat is set to nobody. I was getting spammed by people who I had gifted games to asking for more. (Note the word gifted, I'm not talking about my contest giveaways). I used to often read the forums, find a post somewhere (often in the giveaway thread) where people wanted certain games, and I would just gift it to them. That practice has stopped because like hedwards correctly pointed out above, that had consequences, and the consequences were me getting PM'd (or chatted) from people asking for more games. So I began to feel taken advantage of and stopped just gifting games and turned my chat to nobody.

I do apologize if having that setting offends anyone. It wasn't my intention.

No one is going to think bad of you for asking why you should believe the information that is why I mentioned that you should investigate on your own as well like one community member here did for his giveaway and got rewarded for it with constant down repping until it reached "-2 "currently.

www.gog.com/forum/general/huge_gyg_steam_code_giveaway/post253

There is a rather long history of this alt epidemic that started here on the forum all the way back in June and as I mentioned before I'd explain it all to you in detail if you want on Chat. Unfortunately providing 100 percent undeniable proof is simply not possible without an outright confession from any of these alt accounts (though there are some cases of those too). The limited forum search functionality and lack of proper post history makes it really difficult but its not impossible because the person we're dealing with is an idiot, so even after taking classes in English 101 he can't change his writing style and pattern which is recognizable to keen observers among other similarities between the various alts along with lack of proper forum activity.

One question though you should ask when it comes to assuming that the info is accurate is how are the few people investigating and revealing information regarding scammers/exploiters benefiting in any way from it It, since its a thankless task trying to preserve the spirit of generosity here to help fellow community members on the forum which often results in us getting daily down repping along with being chastised for perpetrating witch hunts. Ofcourse mistakes can be made sometimes but I personally make sure to provide proper context for anything I post in the known scammers thread so that it proves helpful to others who can then decide whether to agree with it or not.

I've done GA in the past. But not anymore. That was after checking some of the gifted games and seeing that they were
not redeemed. And of course the many inquiries for more games.
Sure my first GA was because to show off (and gain some rep). Now I don't give a damn about those fickle things.
I mean its nice to think that GOG has a community. But thats the same illusion as *friends* on FB.
You talk to only a few of the members (and you like even less). So if you want to make someone happy, why not
asking those you like if they want a gift? Or ask around your real friends. Its more satisfying.

I used to give games away . I stopped. and I repent (almost) Well, I beg to disagree. GA aren't the fun they used to be. At least for me they aren't and won't be anytime soon. Sending a gift and there to those I like is.

I see your point. That's the 2nd reasonj I prefer not to do any GA rather than refer to this form of "index". But fact is the 1st reason is it's even more likely that you'll encounter scammers and alts that are not on this list.

I'm not sure that's where the problem lies. The "alt" phenomenon might not be that much about willing a game at all cost as about being disruptive and feeling great for that.



Matter of choice really. I also vlosed my chat at a given time, because of things I found there.

I don't repent. I'm not guilty about what has happened. In some ways I was responsible (perhaps) in that the ninja thread suddenly ballooned out of proportion (and a gifting mania began). However that is life, and I think this is just an evolution of such views. You and I have chosen to back off, we will reach a happy medium. It has already evolved more sophisticated ways of transfering keys, and generally things are learning.

I'm cowardly in that I don't want to take part in that (and busy), but I'm hopeful we will reach a good comprimise.

I quite enjoyed your GAs, and while I'm sorry someone ruined the experience for you, I still appreciate that you did them. And you've almost surely passed along the flame to others like me, even if mine suck in comparison ;)

That was just me trying to make it sound like some "stop tobacco" help group. Be sure I don't repent nor feel guilty ;-P

I think there is too much of a dichotomy in here. There aren't only two options: make giveaways and not make giveaways.

Yes, they may attract the wrong kind of people. Some people may cheat. But its your game, and your rules. Make them as convoluted as you choose. Insist on participation. If you make the barrier to entry high enough, scammers will look for stuff elsewhere.

Once you give the code, you need to rely on the honour and politeness of the receiver. Not everyone is nice, true. But if all the nice people stopped doing nice things, the world would be a terrible place. Where could we find good examples to point to other people? How can we show them there is another perspective in life?

One thing you should ask yourselves is: why would I want to give this game away? Is it for recognition? Reverence? Spreading a game you think should be known better? Sharing happiness?

Nasty people probably already have a sad life from their selfish attitude.