Revocation of sold Steam codes after an unlimited time, even after 11 years!

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fukot.sk [>] hidden bored gamer 24 Jul @ 5:35am

Revocation of sold Steam codes after an unlimited time, even after 11 years!

I’ve dealt with this issue before, but now a perfect example has emerged, showing how it works.

Steam allows companies to generate Steam codes, which these companies then sell or give away. Various bundles, giveaways. Sometimes it’s a game worth 60 euros, sometimes it’s free as a promotion. At the same time, Steam deliberately does not restrict how companies handle these codes. I used to buy bundles from IndieGala. Later, I found out that I paid for a bundle, the code supplier got paid too, yet after some time, they deactivated the code. With PayPal or card payments, there’s a limited time for filing a complaint. Scammers operated by selling you a code, getting paid for it, but deactivating the code at least a day after the refund period expired. Their excuse? Allegedly an unused code or an error occurred during use.

For example, another game was deactivated from my account after more than 3 years of having it there. Nobody cares—neither Steam, nor Humble Bundle, nor the code supplier.

Now there’s a discussion that people don’t own the game, they only buy a license. Some for 100 euros, some for free. But now, you’re not even buying that license anymore!

THQ Nordic arbitrarily deactivated and removed the game Deadfall Adventures from accounts 11 years after selling the Steam codes! Allegedly by mistake, because they only meant to deactivate sold but unused codes and accidentally deactivated used ones too.

In 2014, the company generated codes. These codes were provided to Humble Bundle and others to sell. The codes were sold, the money was received. After more than 11 years, the company deactivated codes that, by law, no longer belong to them because they sold them.

It’s like someone selling you a car, and after 10 years, you find out it’s no longer in your garage because the seller decided that after 10 years, you haven’t used it, so they take it back.

Valve, how long will you allow this kind of scam? Deactivating codes without restrictions? We sold the codes, people bought them, but we’ll take them back because they do whatever they want with the code—like not using it—and if we want, we can just remove the game from everyone’s accounts entirely.

From a situation where you don’t buy a game, you buy a license, we’re now in a situation where you don’t buy either a game or a license—you buy the possibility that something might belong to you for a while.

Companies are deactivating sold Steam codes on a large scale. They don’t refund the money or buy them back. They deactivate licenses without stating they were only temporary. I didn’t pay the company with temporary money. Now all the money they haven’t used should disappear.

Can anyone imagine having money in their account that they haven’t spent, and the ECB decides that if you haven’t spent your euros, they’ll take them? You have 100 euros at home? We’ll take it. Or you’ve had it for a long time and are using it? We’ll take it anyway.

In what other form of business is such behavior possible? Selling you something and then taking it back and destroying it? You have an unused, unopened, packaged magazine at home? We’ll take it.

By the way, Steam codes are still sold physically, like a code inserted in a DVD case. It must feel great to give someone such a gift and find out you paid, say, 20 euros, but the code doesn’t work. Good to know for sellers (including big companies) who also hold sales of unsold, older games. Unknowingly, they might commit fraud or unjust enrichment. They sell you a never-opened package with a never-used code that has already been intentionally deactivated. Great news for collectors.

My question is:
Valve, how much longer will you allow this form of fraud?
Who owns the Steam code?
The one who generated it, or the one who paid for it, believing that with their money, they’re buying the code, the license to the game?

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Showing 1-15 of 170 comments

Mad Scientist 24 Jul @ 5:39am

Typically codes ie games are revoked when the source of the code itself was obtained via fraud.

Other times bundle sites may give you a "Redeem by (DATE)" notice, but that is typically for software not games.

Best to only use legitimate good reputation sites as well, 3rd parties often contain codes obtained via fraud, and get revoked at a later time due to being obtained by fraud.

datCookie 24 Jul @ 5:43am

Posting here won't yield a response from Steam, nor will it make them aware of this issue.

Your best bet is to report the game on its store page, providing detailed information and even a link to the devs own words on what they were trying to do, along with the result of it and wait for Steam to review it, hoping more people report it.

It seems like they've provided some kind of way to fix this for anyone who bought a key from humble bundle itself, but that's no guarantee either.

Curious as to how this will play out.

fukot.sk [>] hidden bored gamer 24 Jul @ 5:48am

THQ Nordic arbitrarily decided to deactivate Steam codes it sold 10 years ago.

It was paid for the codes. It won’t refund the money, and it deactivated the codes.

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/app/231330/discussions/0/600784500009599912/?ctp=8#c600784815203121058

Who is the owner of the Steam code, the license?

The one who sold the code, or the one who purchased it?

Apparently, THQ Nordic kept all the money for the codes and deactivated all codes that were sold but unused.

A customer purchased a Steam code, a Steam license. THQ Nordic arbitrarily revoked that license. It didn’t refund the money.

Someone sold you a CD and then took it back. Allegedly because you didn’t listen to it.

What is it called when you sell something to someone, then take it back, and don’t refund the money?

After how long do companies deactivate codes they were paid for? After 180 days, so they can’t be disputed with PayPal? After 2 years, which is the legal warranty period in Europe?

Apparently, whenever they want. Within a month, or even after 11 years.

They took the money, just as they took the license they sold you.

Without any issues.

In what other area is such behavior still possible?

datCookie 24 Jul @ 5:50am

Yes, they're acted completely inappropriately. It would be different if they were specifically targeting unsold keys but it seems that, in their own words, they also targeted unused keys, which is a big mistake and has led to exactly this.

Hopefully they can rectify this error soon, or Steam comes down on them hard for this failure.

Mad Scientist 24 Jul @ 5:54am

Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
THQ Nordic arbitrarily decided to deactivate Steam codes it sold 10 years ago.

It was paid for the codes. It won’t refund the money, and it deactivated the codes.

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/app/231330/discussions/0/600784500009599912/?ctp=8#c600784815203121058

It looks like they already resolved the issue caused by humble, which you quoted in your reply to them;

Originally posted by THQ Nordic:
Dear Steam community,
just some words on this matter: This issue (only Deadfall Adventures Deluxe Edition should be affected by this issue, not the Standard Edition) happened due to some efforts over the last couple of months to get back big stocks of unused/unsold keys and deactivate them. Valve wants us to limit the unused keys stocks out there and Humblebundle, because of big key shipments for past bundles (sometimes decades ago), is the #1 source of unused/unsold keys stock. We have already deactivated millions of unused keys however this time, it seems that Humblebundle has mistakenly und unfortunately sent us keys, which were already in use. We informed them about that issue and have sent them new Deadfall Adventures Deluxe Edition keys for their customer support. So in case you see your Humblebundle Deadfall Adventures Deluxe Edition Steam key has been revoked, you should find a new code to redeem in your Humble library:

From Humblebundle:
To this end, we have asked (and received) an entirely new batch of keys from THQ Nordic for Deadfall Adventures, and have "reset" the key in your Humble library. If you navigate to your library, you can take this new code and redeem that on Steam to return Deadfall Adventures to your library.

If not, please contact Humblebundle Support (https://support.humblebundle.com/hc/en-us/requests/new) and you should get a new key (as long as you have purchased it on Humblebundle in the past).

Sorry for the inconvenience
Your THQ Nordic Team

Last edited by Mad Scientist; 24 Jul @ 5:55am

fukot.sk [>] hidden bored gamer 24 Jul @ 6:04am

Do you think they resolved the issue of deactivating codes they were paid for after 11 years? Does it seem completely normal to you that you buy something, it disappears, and if you complain, they might give it back? Does it seem normal to you if a clothing manufacturer stole your towel because you didn’t use it for 2 years? Or if a canned food manufacturer stole a can you paid for just because it’s been unopened and uneaten for 5 years? Does it seem normal to you that money would disappear from your account just because you’ve had it there for 10 years?

I have an old computer at home, still from the 8-bit era. Should the manufacturer take it because I haven’t used it? Sure, I paid for it, but since I’m not using it, the manufacturer gets to keep my money and take my computer too?

Is it okay if I have an unopened collectible CD at home and it disappears just because I haven’t used it and have it stored away?

What about Pokémon cards, unopened? Will they disappear from people’s homes because they didn’t open them, and the manufacturer keeps the money but takes the cards too?

Is it okay that you pay for something, and then the seller decides to take back what you paid for?
Where else besides Steam does this happen?
I'm curious about it.

I have unopened audio music cassettes at home. Should I check if I still have them? If the publishing company didn’t steal them?

Mad Scientist 24 Jul @ 6:09am

Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
(snip)

The mistake was made by humble, the mistake is fixed and people have new codes. This isn't an ordinary thing it was a mistake which has been rectified. No need to ask things based off of a completely unlikely rare event that has already been dealt with. Obviously humble will try to ensure they don't make that mistake again.

Generally the only other way that happens - again, in general - is obtained via fraud. In ultra rare cases like this, the businesses involved assisted each other to resolve the issue quickly. There's no need to panic. Thus as a super limited scenario made by a mistake this is largely not even a concern and is the sort of "once in a lifetime" mistake by a company because it can obliterate humbles reputation.

fukot.sk [>] hidden bored gamer 24 Jul @ 6:14am

Why are you commenting on something you haven’t even read? What’s with those nonsense claims about someone stealing codes from someone else? In your world, they figured it out after 11 years? Why are you trying to defend the indefensible?

EDIT:
Given that there are a lot of trolls here who oppose everything on principle, expressing completely irrelevant opinions for hours on end, clearly not understanding what it's all about, I'll post here an analysis from Grok of how artificial intelligence understood the text I wrote:

Summary of the text and the author's intent:

The author criticizes the practice of companies, such as game publishers or distributors (e.g., THQ Nordic, Humble Bundle), deactivating sold Steam codes, even years after their purchase, in some cases after 11 years. They highlight that Steam allows companies to generate and sell codes without sufficient restrictions, leading to situations where codes are deactivated regardless of whether they were used or not, and without refunds. The author compares this to fraud, where the buyer does not receive a game or a permanent license but only a temporary possibility of ownership. They cite the example of the game Deadfall Adventures being deactivated after 11 years, allegedly by mistake, but without rectification. The author criticizes Valve's lack of action in preventing such practices and questions who truly owns a Steam code—the company that generated it or the person who paid for it, believing they were purchasing the code and the game license. The author emphasizes the unfairness, comparing it to absurd scenarios like money being taken from an account for not being spent or a sold product being reclaimed.

Author's intent:
The author aims to draw attention to unethical and potentially illegal practices in the gaming industry, specifically the deactivation of sold Steam codes without compensation, and calls on Valve to take action. They seek to spark a discussion about consumer rights, ownership of digital products, and the responsibilities of companies.

Response to the question:
The author's questions, "Valve, how much longer will you allow this form of fraud?" and "Who owns the Steam code?" are largely rhetorical, expressing frustration. From a legal standpoint, a Steam code that was legally purchased should belong to the buyer, who acquires a license to use the game upon purchase. However, as the author points out, in practice, publishers can deactivate codes, suggesting that control remains with the code's generator (the publisher) rather than the buyer. Valve, as the platform, has not yet established clear rules to protect consumers from such practices, which the author perceives as a failure. For specific information about rights and policies, it would be necessary to review Steam’s and the publishers’ terms of service or consult Valve’s support or a lawyer specializing in digital ownership.

The machine (GROK) understood it perfectly.

By the way, a note. When we asked for a trial period after purchasing the game so that we could get a refund, a bunch of trolls kept repeating that nobody wants or needs a refund, that it shouldn't be allowed.

They have nothing better to do with their day than to oppose everyone in everything. They will even make up lies, even if it contradicts Steam's rules (Steam's rules state the exact opposite), and they will repeat their lies over and over again just to oppose.
Why are accounts that are not affected by the problem being expressed? They have no other activity. They are just looking for something else to oppose endlessly.

I gave ChatGPT the same text to analyze—my own writing. Now compare that with the trolls in the discussion, who keep posting their nonsense, fiction, and lies, claiming how much they contributed to the topic. Some of them even posted dozens of comments, opposing everything at all costs. Yet it’s obvious that they either didn’t read the text or are simply incapable of understanding written content.

ChatGPT:

Summary:
The author is complaining that purchased Steam codes can be arbitrarily deactivated—even after 11 years, as in the case of the game Deadfall Adventures. These codes were legally sold, money was received, yet they were later revoked without refund or compensation.

🔍 Key points and the author's position:
Steam allows companies to generate and sell activation codes, but does not guarantee their long-term validity for customers.

The author points out that even redeemed and activated codes can be revoked years later—even though they were bought legally and in good faith.

He compares the situation to physical goods, like buying a car or a magazine: if you purchase something, the manufacturer shouldn’t be allowed to simply take it back years later.

He criticizes the fact that consumer rights in the digital space are extremely weak—people think they're buying a game (or at least a license), but in reality, they’re not buying anything permanent.

He argues that no other business would get away with such behavior—selling a product, taking the money, and then reclaiming the product later without compensation.

The critique is also directed at Valve (the company behind Steam) for allowing and enabling this kind of behavior, which puts customers at risk of fraud or abuse.

The central question the author raises is: "Who owns the code?"—the company that generated it, or the customer who paid for it, believing they were buying a license or product?

Main point:
Even if someone legally buys a digital game via an official code, there's no guarantee they'll keep it. Companies can revoke the code at any time—even years later—without refund. The author sees this as unacceptable, unfair, and potentially fraudulent behavior.

In this entire “discussion,” there are at most 2–3 accounts that actually addressed the topic and understood the core issue. The rest are just trolls. What is their motivation?

One of those trolls—the most active one—even reported my comment where I told him he was lying. I pointed out that he was spreading false claims by insisting that Steam codes expire, even though Steam clearly states they do not. And when I asked him, “So, according to you, is Steam lying?”—he reported the comment, and it was deleted. Meanwhile, comments spreading falsehoods—like accusing me of buying stolen codes—were left untouched. If Steam deleted all the off-topic comments, the entire discussion would barely fill one page with maybe 15 posts.

Last edited by fukot.sk [>] hidden bored gamer; 12 hours ago

Brian9824 24 Jul @ 6:16am

Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
Do you think they resolved the issue of deactivating codes they were paid for after 11 years?

Yes, they even told you so in the response which you posted. They never meant to deactivate the codes of games people paid for. Humble made a mistake and sent them a list that contained activated/sold keys. It was only supposed to deactivate old keys that hadn't been sold

They already took steps to give those effected new keys.

There have been a handful of cases in 20+ years of this happening, and every time its resolved within days and people get new keys.

Last edited by Brian9824; 24 Jul @ 6:17am

Mad Scientist 24 Jul @ 6:17am

Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
Why are you commenting on something you haven’t even read? What’s with those nonsense claims about someone stealing codes from someone else? In your world, they figured it out after 11 years? Why are you trying to defend the indefensible?

Did you read THQs response which you replied to in the thread? All of your stuff is answered, and theres no reason to panic.

#10

Brian9824 24 Jul @ 6:19am

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
Why are you commenting on something you haven’t even read? What’s with those nonsense claims about someone stealing codes from someone else? In your world, they figured it out after 11 years? Why are you trying to defend the indefensible?
Did you read THQs response which you replied to in the thread? All of your stuff is answered, and theres no reason to panic.

Yep, they never meant to remove sold but unused keys, they even said they were removing unsold/unused keys. In this context an unused key is the same as an unsold key, it doesn't say anywhere sold but unused keys were intended to be removed.

#11

fukot.sk [>] hidden bored gamer 24 Jul @ 6:29am

They deactivated sold, unused codes (someone paid for them but didn’t use them, just like buying a DVD with a game. Would someone come to your house to steal a DVD with a game because you paid for it but left it unopened in its packaging?). They didn’t refund the money. By mistake, they also deactivated sold, used codes.

Some companies do this after a few months, THQ Nordic after several years. The point remains:

Who owns the television?
The one who made it?
Or the one who paid for it?

Can the manufacturer take the television you paid for just because you didn’t use it?

Or, the moment you paid for the television, are you its owner, and if someone takes it, they’ve robbed you?

Steam allows companies like THQ Nordic to first sell Steam codes and then, after receiving payment, deactivate them.

Without a time limit. After 2 months or after 20 years.

They sold you a license, which they then took away. So, they have the money, and you no longer have the game license.

#12

Brian9824 24 Jul @ 6:36am

Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
They deactivated sold, unused codes (someone paid for them but didn’t use them, just like buying a DVD with a game.

Yes, and they said it was a mistake and immediately got new codes to give to those affected. Its happened before where they mistakenly delete wrong codes.

Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
They sold you a license, which they then took away. So, they have the money, and you no longer have the game license.

FALSE

From your own link

To this end, we have asked (and received) an entirely new batch of keys from THQ Nordic for Deadfall Adventures, and have "reset" the key in your Humble library. If you navigate to your library, you can take this new code and redeem that on Steam to return Deadfall Adventures to your library.

They already replaced the license's that were removed by accident

#13

fukot.sk [>] hidden bored gamer 24 Jul @ 6:42am

Where you live, does something like this work: I robbed you, but by mistake? I sell you something, then I steal it from you, and if it comes to light, I declare that it was a mistake and everything is fine?

Please, which country in the world allows this?

In the European Union, it is a criminal offense. Theft, unjust enrichment, fraud.

#14

Brian9824 24 Jul @ 6:44am

Originally posted by fukot.sk > hidden bored gamer:
it is a criminal offense. Theft, unjust enrichment, fraud.

That is false, making a mistake and revoking the wrong key and immediately fixing it is not fraud. I've had mistakes happen where accounts were shut down by accident, and they immediately fix it.

You keep ignoring the basic fact that they made a mistake, and fixed it immediately and gave new keys. So people lost nothing, had nothing stolen, etc.

Again at this point you've had it pointed out by multiple people that no one lost anything and the keys were restored. Since you keep refusing to read that part its clear there is no benefit to continuing this so i'm unsubbing.

Last edited by Brian9824; 24 Jul @ 6:45am

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Date Posted: 24 Jul @ 5:35am

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