r/pcmasterrace • u/pedro19 CREATOR • Dec 30 '15
PSA Please do not post keys in plain text on your giveaways
This includes both in text or in image form.
This has been stated many times.
As before, the mod team isn't ready to make it against the rules for OP's to post links in plain text because some people just want to give their games away without much hassle, but:
Please consider avoiding giving out game keys in plain text on the subreddit.
Please consider making people work, even if just a little bit for their prize. While the mod team isn't a fan of the random number draw, it sure beats dumping game keys in plain text. Consider other fun ways like "tell me a joke" or "link me to your favorite under 30 seconds youtube video". Also, remember that while the mod team is really harsh with users who use multiple accounts (and other forms of giveaway fraud) on giveaways, you as OP are still free to impose sensible rules that the winners must follow (like, "x month old accounts only, please", for instance, or "user must participate on the community, not just on giveaway threads").
If you just post keys in plain text, everyone with an internet access can have them. This is why people aren't thanking you. You have no way to make sure whoever got it even has a Reddit account to begin with. You also can not make sure people who we banned for giveaway frauds aren't getting those keys, because that way they still have the same chance as anyone else.
Perhaps you just want to dump keys for someone else, no matter who, to get them. If so, that is fine. We will not force you to give them away in any specific matter, it's just that you may prefer to give them out to fellow members of the community, and just posting keys in plain text or in images gives pretty much everyone on earth with a decent internet connection the same chance of winning.
Remember, PCMR has millions of hits each month and according to official Reddit data, only a fraction of the people who visit Reddit actually have an account. If you want to give away games to your brothers, make sure you are. Posting keys in plain text, even if on images, isn't how. If you don't care about that, then that's fine too.
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Dec 30 '15
Please don't ban me Pedro: X6ACM-6FY5W-TQVJH
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Dec 31 '15
G4B3N-1FUCK-M3PL5
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Dec 31 '15
Thanks for shower with dad simulator!
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Dec 31 '15
I'm so sorry. Is it possible to take back giveaways? I don't want to inflict that game on ANYONE
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u/Vercci The Dong Has Expanded Jan 01 '16
Circlejerk aside, any reason why?
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u/Ianman2 http://steamcommunity.com/id/Ianman2 Jan 05 '16
It's a "gag" game. Funny in the first few minutes and then it's just the exact same thing on repeat.
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u/SentientDust peekaboo Jan 15 '16
This is why flash games exist. Even 1$ is asking too much.
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u/Quinnell 9800X3D | RTX 3080 | 64GB DDR5 6000Mhz Feb 16 '16
Omg. You just made me realize that half of steam is cluttered with games that would have been free flash games 5 years ago.
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u/Punished__Snake steamcommunity.com/id/abadeer Feb 17 '16 edited Feb 17 '16
H4LF-L1F3-THR3-3C0N-F1RM3D
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u/Aurunemaru Ryzen 7 5800X3D / Ngreedia RTX 3070 that I regret buying Feb 17 '16
1Y0U-L05T-TH33-G4M3
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u/simmielol123 3,5 GHz i7/ 8 GB/ NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750M 2 GB Dec 30 '15 edited Dec 30 '15
This guy is reckless! He will get himself killed!
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u/BennyHarveyPSN http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/NDWwxr Dec 30 '15
/r/firstworldanarchists welcome you my son.
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Dec 30 '15
Yeah, for both giveaways I did, I check the winners account age, how active they are on Reddit and how active they are on the sub.
Account is less than one month? sorry
Got -137 comment karma? sorry
Only commenting on PCMR giveaway threads? sorry
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Dec 30 '15
Yeah I'm the same. Too many people JUST entering giveaways
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u/Jammer13542 i7 4770/ R9 390/12 GB Dec 31 '15
Hey, how do you get your flair and what is it for?
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u/moses2357 Core 2 Duo E8400 | 4GB DDR3 | GTX 750 Ti Dec 31 '15
For being a moderator of r/PcMasterRaceBuilds maybe?
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Jan 06 '16
Yeah the only giveaway Ive been in was a bad rats giveaway and I actually won lol. I usually just upvote and comment "not in giveaway but thanks op" or similar
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u/Pesmergaa ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Dec 30 '15 edited Dec 30 '15
When I gave away a couple of keys here, I removed 1 letter or number from them, people bitched at me for it :D
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u/pedro19 CREATOR Dec 30 '15
No one should bitch at you. In the end, you're giving free stuff away. Just consider improving the way you giveaway stuff.
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Dec 30 '15
Dont give those people free things then. If they dont wanna follow your rules. they can buy their own games.
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u/DarkerFate Dec 30 '15
This should honestly be stickied for a week or two.
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u/dtallon13 i am in pain Dec 31 '15
Or forever
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Jan 01 '16
[deleted]
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u/dtallon13 i am in pain Jan 02 '16
For the eternal duration d GabeN's Glory
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u/Upronn Specs/Imgur Here Jan 02 '16
Message me for:
The Last Remnant.
PMs are the best way to do giveaways in my opinion.
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Dec 31 '15
Here's how easy it is to code a bot:
At about 11PM last night (GMT) I didn't know Python.
I had the bot done by 3AM.
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u/Gamer5Lyfe i5 4690K | Sapphire R9 390 Feb 16 '16
How did you learn Python so quickly? YouTube tutorials?
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Feb 16 '16
Nah. I just jumped in, imagined what the code would kinda look like (e.g. look at website for keys, then the actions to redeem each one) and just googled as I went. I already know Lua and C#, so I had bits of the knowledge. It helps that Python is just an easy language to learn, much better than anything else I've learned.
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u/Gamer5Lyfe i5 4690K | Sapphire R9 390 Feb 16 '16
Alright thanks. I've been wanting to get into coding and heard Python was an easy one to start with. It was a nice coincidence to just be browsing reddit and see a comment saying they picked up Python easily.
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u/GamerDad79 Jan 04 '16
I don't think anyone is arguing bots can't exist.
I've gotten plaintext giveaways 5 minutes after they were posted. So either the bots were all off at that moment (doubtful) or the bots are set to refresh super slowly (doubtful) or no one is using bots actively.
Only one of those three answers isn't far-fetched.
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u/k0bra3eak Nend Sudes Jan 05 '16
Or no one redeemed it from their bots.
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u/SmileAsTheyDie 7800X3D | RTX 4090 Jan 09 '16
So they have bots that search and get keys and then just dont redeem them? lets be serious now.
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u/k0bra3eak Nend Sudes Jan 09 '16
If they find out it's a key they don't want, why would they, unless they're true assholes.
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u/SmileAsTheyDie 7800X3D | RTX 4090 Jan 09 '16
The time it would take for a bot user to notice their bot has found a key and then input the key would take so long that they would never almost never win.
Anybody that really uses a bot would have it automatically go through the process of redeeming the code.
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Feb 18 '16
Here's how easy it is to code a bot: At about 11PM last night (GMT) I didn't know Python. I had the bot done by 3AM.
We got a script kiddie folks! You're lying. There are no bots. Was your bot able to:
Crawl all of reddit (or more frequent places where codes are given away. This place is not ideal. r/gamedeals has threads for every bundle with codes)
Pull the correct XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX code for a Steam game and apply it into a Steam client in a split second.
Avoid any false codes, invalid or used ones, and distiungish between other clients or services (like GMG that uses 20% off vouchers in the same format.. ala GMG20-ZB5D1-93X49 )
Be able to avoid being locked out of Steam. You get only 1 code per game per account. And so many tries (not telling the numbers here to help anyone) or guess what? Account functionality has been restricted.
Avoid detection of your IP address. The above rule means you'll be running multiple instances of Steam on rented VPN servers (it's all about speed here) on multiple accounts. Oh and you'll have a super fast computer to do this. Reddit will also be able to detect botnet activity from your IP.
Profit somehow from a game you can't sell or trade.
Beat millions and millions of lurkers here. Humans with legit computers and Steam accounts and the ability to reason with none of the above concerns.
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Feb 18 '16
Lol the fuck are you talking about? It's not a key bot if a better one exists?
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u/ProcrastinatorKenny RTX 2070 | 4790k | 32GB RAM | Steam: Procrastinator Kenny Dec 31 '15
4376 Thanks OP!
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u/Junous Specs/Imgur here Dec 30 '15
Is it okay if I put AAAAA-AAAAA-AAA?A (?= A) ?
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u/pedro19 CREATOR Dec 30 '15
If you're confortable with the fact that someone who was banned by us for giveaway fraud (e.g., using multiple accounts to increase his odds at winning) has the same chance as any other person, then sure!
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Dec 31 '15
[deleted]
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u/pedro19 CREATOR Jan 01 '16
They make it so everyone, be it a member of the community or not, to have the same chance at winning. If the OP has no issue with that, so be it. I'd rather have it go to the community.
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u/Zarzalu i5 2320/660 ti Dec 30 '15
Also if you put them in the text of the post Bots can steal the keys
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u/UlyssesSKrunk Praise GabeN Dec 31 '15
Also if you put them in an image bots can steal keys with very little extra info.
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Dec 30 '15
[deleted]
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Dec 30 '15
There was a post a while ago of someone posting 100 keys for a game. They were gone pretty much instantly. It was also a game that did nothing so I doubt that 100 people went through redeeming each key.
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Dec 30 '15
[deleted]
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u/OhThereYouArePerry 5800X3D | RX 6900 XT | 64 GB 3200MHz Dec 31 '15
Yeah, but then they will just code their bot to ignore the Admin bots fake keys.
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Feb 18 '16
Here is an example of someone using their noodle and logic to reason out that there are no bots. It's just not worth anything and it's actually really hard to do.
Kudos!
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u/ArgKyckling i5 4670 3.4Ghz | R9 270X | 8gb RAM Dec 30 '15
But since there have been so many cases of people posting giveaways in plain text with a giveaway flair, it would be extremely weird if there weren't any bots exploiting that.
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u/GamerDad79 Jan 04 '16
But since I've won plaintext giveaways up to 5 minutes after they were posted, I simply can't believe I'm beating bots while going that slowly.
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u/UlyssesSKrunk Praise GabeN Dec 31 '15
Well think about it like this. How many giveaways are there that post in plain text or in an image without obfuscating it? A ton. How long would it take an average coder to write a bot to read all the plaintext of all posts on this subreddit, and OCR all the images here, and then regex them to find the keys? I don't know, but a few hours max. There is great profit waiting for the first person to make such a bot, and it wouldn't be that difficult, therefor it stands to reason that it has been done.
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u/GamerDad79 Jan 04 '16
How do you profit off of this? Selling trading cards? That sounds like very small profit.
You can't make a bot that "reserves" the key for resale, after all.......
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u/RoyalBingBong i5 2500k|ASUS DCII GTX 780|16GB RAM Dec 30 '15
You should add that keys in images aren't any better either. Online OCR works pretty good in most cases..
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u/iAmAddicted2R_ddit Ryzen 5500, RX 5700 XT Dec 30 '15
/r/GiftofGames has the right idea with this IMHO. They outright forbid posting of keys in plaintext, and say that if you just want to dump some codes and are feeling lazy, message the mods and they will setup a proper giveaway.
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u/SorteKanin i7 3770K, GTX 680, 16 GB 1600 MHz Dec 30 '15
What give-away method would the mod team recommend? Asking for future reference.
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Dec 30 '15
Please consider making people work, even if just a little bit for their prize.
tell joke
favorite 30second or less video
solve puzzle
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Dec 30 '15
Y34H-R1GH-7Y0U-W4R3-ZM0N-K3Y
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u/Struckmanr i7-4790k Stock | 16GB | RTX 2060 Super stock Dec 30 '15
L33t speak for "Yeah Right You Were ze Monkey"
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u/Exphiser919 Dec 31 '15
It would be cool if there was a system somehow implemented in the subreddit, where you can't even view the giveaways because it will just say:
You do not have enough comment karma (300+)
You don't even have a reddit account.
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u/Zero_the_Unicorn Rx 590, i7-4790 3.60GHz, 8GB, Windows 7 Jan 02 '16
Well, /u/pedro19, you might wanna change the rules description then. It already bothered me when reading it because that exactly how bots get it.
The Master Race is generous. When we do giveaways we do it within the bounds of our subreddit. Feel free to give prizes as you see fit, but don't mandate subscriptions or other benefits. You can post about your channel, just don't make it a requirement to go, comment or subscribe there to get prizes or to increase the likelihood of getting them.
We prefer image screenshots of keys to avoid potential key-stealing bots
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u/pedro19 CREATOR Jan 02 '16
I don't get it. Isn't that already there?
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u/Zero_the_Unicorn Rx 590, i7-4790 3.60GHz, 8GB, Windows 7 Jan 02 '16
Yes, I copy pasted it. The last line is the one striking confusion, keys shouldnt be screenshotted, as bots can easily get them
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u/pedro19 CREATOR Jan 02 '16
Fixed
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u/Zero_the_Unicorn Rx 590, i7-4790 3.60GHz, 8GB, Windows 7 Jan 03 '16
Thanks, its quite infuriating knowing some botters get free games daily.
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Feb 18 '16
It already bothered me when reading it because that exactly how bots get it.
It bothers me that there is no bots and you're perpetuating a myth. This mod you're talking to doesn't believe in them either. Stop lying.
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u/Zero_the_Unicorn Rx 590, i7-4790 3.60GHz, 8GB, Windows 7 Feb 18 '16
That was a month ago. And when you would actually read the replies, he agreed with me and changed it in the rules.
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Feb 18 '16
Lol. It's the sticky post at the top here. And he didn't agree with you and change the rules.
He knows you're a conspiracy goon and is being nice. You think bots did 9/11 too? Nice disagreement downvote too. So mature.
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u/Karlsmart Radeon 7970, 4690k 4.5ghz - Hifiman HE-500 Dec 30 '15
CZYJW-HHHPK-BY0AW You don't own me 3AZIR-08JK7-FK9YK
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u/Blueasd Dec 30 '15 edited Dec 30 '15
m8 , you are just awesome , i was like ninjas already got them , but nop, not this time .
thanks a lot and happy new year .1
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u/vonmonologue Dec 30 '15
How hard would it be to create a website that forces you to complete a captcha to get a key?
You know how filesharing sites make you complete a captcha to download a file, and then give you a 20 minute waiting period before you can download more files (unless you have a premium account).
Why isn't there a key sharing site that does the same thing? You complete a captcha to get a key, and then you have to wait 20 minutes before you're allowed to get another key.
Obviously there are easy ways around the 20 minute timer, but it would at least slow people down by a few minutes and give others a chance to get keys.
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u/kingzozo19 Jan 02 '16
spelunky key 0FBIR-JAWB5-PBYTZ - I got if from humble monthly
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u/k0bra3eak Nend Sudes Jan 05 '16
Bot grabbed it as you posted it, that's why people don't find those giveaways fair.
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u/Blueasd Dec 30 '15
True ,it should be in some kind of puzzle form at least .
Any tutorial on how to post giveaways ,text or video will be great , i tried using couple of websites that help with giveaways , it was a mess , this thing should be cleared out .
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Dec 30 '15 edited Dec 30 '15
Also, make sure the key you are giving away hasn't already been used. I've been screwed over by that a few times this month.
Edit: Forgot words.
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u/Exphiser919 Dec 31 '15
Tell me a joke
nani ni shimasu ka?
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u/TerribleJokeBot Dec 31 '15
How was wire invented? Two Scots spotted the same coin.
I am a bot. To summon me, include "tell me a joke" somewhere in your message.
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u/RealGamerGod88 i7-3770k / 16GB / GTX 780 Dec 31 '15
tell me a joke
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u/TerribleJokeBot Dec 31 '15
How was wire invented? Two Scots spotted the same coin.
I am a bot. To summon me, include "tell me a joke" somewhere in your message.
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Jan 01 '16
tell me a joke
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u/TerribleJokeBot Jan 01 '16
What did the skeleton say when he walked into the bar? "Give me a beer and a mop."
I am a bot. To summon me, include "tell me a joke" somewhere in your message.
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u/RealGamerGod88 i7-3770k / 16GB / GTX 780 Dec 31 '15
well you're a shit bot.
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Jan 03 '16
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/TerribleJokeBot Jan 03 '16
What is the difference between a pizza and a child? A pizza does not scream in the oven.
I am a bot. To summon me, include "tell me a joke" somewhere in your message.
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u/Heniboy I5-6500 | RX 480 8 GB | 16 GB RAM Dec 31 '15
Also it is possible to hijack accounts with keys from what I hear...
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Jan 05 '16
I did a giveaway codes with the codes hidden in a image that would screw with OCR software and it was gone in seconds and I only got 4 karma with next to no replies. It was the first and last time I did a giveaway.
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u/cmtedouglas Ryzen 9 5900x | RTX 4080 Super | Arch Linux Jan 12 '16
what do you think of a webpage just forged to do reddit giveaways/raffles?
i will probably be working on a POC using the random.org as a prng
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u/paganiforeverandever X5680 4.25GHz, 1080 Strix, 1200XP3 Jan 12 '16
Don't worry i always make people work for it!
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u/Cow_In_Space cowinspace Feb 17 '16
I usually just remove some of the letters/numbers then stick some cryptic clues in a comment.
It avoids the bots and means that the winner get's a feeling of accomplishment.
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u/rebane2001 GTX 960, Ryzen 3900X, 128GB DDR4 RAM, 220TB raw HDD storage May 29 '16
Good automod
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u/AutoModerator May 29 '16
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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Dec 31 '15
[deleted]
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u/SmileAsTheyDie 7800X3D | RTX 4090 Jan 09 '16
Possible yes. Is it actually happening at any alarming rate? I would argue no since i have won dozens of plain text giveaways some being minutes after being posted. Theoretically a bot would be quicker than me or anybody else any day of the week yet others and myself have won countless giveaways.
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Feb 18 '16
Well, I just made a bot specifically to test if it could work, It does...Quite well actually. It's worth mentioning I haven't redeemed any of the keys I found
That's the entire point!
/facepalm
There are no bots. Spoiler alert.
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Dec 30 '15
[deleted]
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u/DyLaNzZpRo Dec 30 '15
For larger giveaways ie multiple $60 game codes, sure, but for smaller items, there's no real point when you can make simple puzzles.
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u/TheTurtleHeist i5-4460 3.2Ghz Quad Core Processor, R7 370 4 GB Video Card. Dec 30 '15
Yeah its crazy how many people just post their keys in plain text and bots have taken the codes in seconds. Its impossible to get any keys when people just post in plain text. Its a shame.