GreenMan Gaming Denies Selling ‘Grey Market’ Games

Online digital game retailer GreenMan Gaming has been accused of selling so-called ‘grey market’ games – games that are legally sourced, but that are being sold in a manner that does not benefit the publisher or developer – by users of the GameDeals subreddit.

After members of the subreddit discovered that GreenMan Gaming was selling unauthorised copies of CD Projekt RED’s epic RPG The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, GameDeals mod gamedealsmod (not just a clever name) contacted a number of publishers to determine if the online game retailer was an authorised reseller. While WB Games confirmed that GreenMan sells its games legitimately, Activision and Ubisoft revealed that they have no official relationship with the site.

Following this revelation, GameDeals banned GreenMan Gaming sales from the subreddit.

Paul Sulyok, CEO ofGreenMan Gaming, has released a statement denying the accusations, drawing a distinction between being an authorised reseller and selling games that are “sourced responsibly”. The full statement (via Gamespot) reads:

Dear Reddit

First of all, we are very disappointed that we were unable to come to a mutual understanding with the Reddit Game Deal moderators: /r/GameDeals

Over the past year, we have been repeatedly asked to supply sensitive information regarding contracts between us and publishers, which for legal reason we simply cannot share, nor should we be expected to. We believe that other retailers featured on Reddit Game Deals have not been afforded the same level of scrutiny and investigation that we have endured, and that ultimately, customers will be missing out on information and deals.

We find the research carried out by the Reddit Game Deal mods has been subjective or inaccurate. We know they share the same aims as we do; to offer customers great value on great games, so it brings us no pleasure to publicly state – they are wrong.

We have always been transparent that for us, the customer is our priority. We have withdrawn from Reddit Game Deals as we no longer have the time and resources to keep offering proof and statements to their persistent group of moderators. Our focus as always should be and is our customers.

We reiterate that we source our keys from a range of over 400 publishers, developers, and distributors to meet customer’s demands on a title by title basis. Let’s be clear here; there is a difference between being an authorised retailer for some titles, and being a retailer selling keys that have been sourced responsibly through authorised third parties with revenue going back to the publisher. If a key unlocks, it is an authentic key. This isn’t a perfect science as human error can affect the supply chain. Where possible, we work directly with publishers and distributors to make sure customers have the very best experience with us.

Whenever things outside of our control have happened, we have instantly and fairly tried to make it right. We accept that we don’t always get it right, and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, the Reddit Game Deal community, and everyone who has supported us.

Thank you

Paul Sulyok CEO Green Man Gaming

and The Green Team