So you want to create public GAs, but you don't want bots and auto-join scripts to enter? Good. Just post a comment in this thread with a link to an invite-only giveaway. The idea is very simple and is really not different from many (most?) of the other threads in the forum, except that you don't need to invest much time or thought into it. Just post the link in a comment, and you're done :-)

A few additional guidelines:

  • Feel free to obfuscate the link to make it more difficult for bots/scripts to enter. This is completely optional and may not make much of a difference, because the forums are probably not as infested with bots and auto-join scripts as public giveaways (see example).
  • You may use itstoohard.com, sgtools.info or other sites as filters to the link, but do try to keep things easy (for humans) to enter.
  • Don't feel obligated to write anything to accompany the giveaway link. If you have stuff to share beyond just the link, you probably should create a dedicated thread for it. Needless to say, you can also write it here, but it's not required.
  • Cross-posting giveaways your posted in other threads is fine, as long as they are your giveaways.
  • If you want to add a dynamic signature showing the game name, giveaway end date and current number of entries, but without revealing the URL to bots, you can use this tool created by Reforced. It takes the signature created by SG and provides you with a new URL that hides the original giveaway address. Just add it to your comment using the regular format for posting images: ![](URL)
  • Just like public GAs typically have a lot of entries, there's no need to maintain a low number of entries in GAs posted here. If you want to give especially good odds to people who enter and still get CV, you may want to instead consider posting the link here (and then remove it when you have your 5 entries). This is not needed here in this thread. The more (humans) the merrier :-)
  • The best way to bump this thread is by posting a link to your own invite-only giveaway. With that said, if the thread drops from the first page a regular "Bump" would also be appreciated.

I'm trying to find how serious the issue with bots really is. So far the results don't really prove things one way or another. Here are some stats from my latest experiment:

Game: Space Trader: Merchant Marine
Number of giveaways: 5
Period: 3 days

Giveaway # Level Type Number of entries Winner's Sent:Won Reroll needed?
1 Level 0+ Public 891 0:82 No
2 Level 0+ Invite only, direct link 55 4:47 No
3 Level 0+ Invite only, SGTools (no restrictions) 48 6:71 No
4 Level 0+ Invite only, shortened URL, captcha-free 50 1:205 No
5 Level 0+ Invite only, shortened URL with "I'm not a robot" captcha 54 162:86 No

Yet some more stats:

Giveaway game Period Level Type Number of entries Winner's Sent:Won Reroll needed?
Tales from the Void 5 days Level 0+ Public 755 0:37 No
Tales from the Void 5 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 183 42:514 No
Hyper Box 4 days Level 0+ Public 554 0:32 No
Hyper Box 4 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 193 178:188 No
Ace Combat Assault Horizon 3 days Level 0+ Public 1596 0:28 Yes
Ace Combat Assault Horizon 3 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 234 88:107 No
7 years ago*

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6 years ago
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6 years ago*
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Bump

6 years ago
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Deleted

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6 years ago
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Thanks!

6 years ago
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http://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/06d73940-a1ef-11e7-bc56-fa163ee2f826
!!!! i deactivated the Activated all won games rule !!!!

i need 3 more entries
23 min. left

6 years ago*
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Misswing base game so i cant join :)
But thank you anyway ♥

6 years ago
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The Base Game was free in he past (because i should get no CV for the base game -i used it by myself then-).
I thinked much more have the base game and interest on the DLC.
But maybe it was free with the DLC (?).
A bit frustrating are 2 entries (= no CV)

6 years ago
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6 years ago
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!!!! very good input.. i deactivated the Activated all won games rule !!!!

23 min. remaining

6 years ago
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Deleted

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6 years ago
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Maybe i should question the winner if it is ok to delete the GA because all the people that can't join ?

6 years ago
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Deleted

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6 years ago
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You can delete it before the giveaway ends without asking any winners, the support ticket for deletion is automatically approved in this case. See the FAQ for details.

6 years ago
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The FAQ not really explain it.
As reason i choosed "Accident" and explain then the no 5 entries because the Zonitron Shi* and the sgtools protection.
Was this correct or should i choose next time a other reason ? (i hope that i must not make it again but better i know what to do then have the problems afterwards :o))

thanks for the help

6 years ago
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Since it is automatically approved the reason isn't really that important, just give your best explanation. Just remember you lose a giveaway slot when you delete a giveaway, so be sure to only do it when you absolutely have to!

6 years ago
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to loose this slot was ok ... i had 30 before. And i have try all to avoid it but zonitron f...ed my GA on the kick/fly :DDD

6 years ago
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DLC can also be hard to give away, so it's usually better to make public GAs or at least very long unrestricted GAs for DLC.

6 years ago
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damn the winning chances are great ....
1 winner took 3 games
2 winners took 2 games
and 2 winners "only" 1 game

6 years ago
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6 years ago
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Thx

6 years ago
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Thanks

6 years ago
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vv + (2+2)2 + Q+ X+ q = Marine Sharpshooter II: Jungle Warfare

6 years ago
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thx

6 years ago
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Don't like bots? Post your random invite-only giveaways here

6 years ago
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You are a bot?, dont use autojoin scripts, last warning!!!

6 years ago
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OK, I won't!

Oh, wait, I'm not a bot.
This is just a bump :)

6 years ago
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6 years ago
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6 years ago
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6 years ago*
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I would love to hunt some rats!

View attached image.
6 years ago
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Deleted

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6 years ago
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Sorry. I've set it as level1

6 years ago
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np thanks for reply

6 years ago
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  • Do not beg users or developers for keys or gifts, whether in comments, or chat.

This kind of behavior will get you a suspension. You have been warned.

6 years ago
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lol he created giveaway about it, did you delete his comment?

6 years ago
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We do not delete users' comments.

6 years ago
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I wish moredators react so fast on users' reports... I created a report 8 months ago, still pending.

6 years ago
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Your tickets are "in the queue." They've been seen, but are not the highest priority at this time.

6 years ago
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nice queue for 8 month)

6 years ago
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We have over 20K tickets in the queue. Some have been there for over two years. We will get to your complaint as soon as is feasible. Thank you for your patience.

6 years ago
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got it. Thanks for your reply

6 years ago
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I'd love to!
Thanks :)

6 years ago
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i agree))

6 years ago
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I agree. I understand that you are giving the base game and not just a DLC, right?

This group tries to contemplate cases like this I think.
https://www.steamgifts.com/discussion/s1tVq/ninja-retreat-a-group-for-giveaways-of-once-free-games-update-invites-are-back

Thanks!

6 years ago
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Thank you. I don't know about this.

6 years ago
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i could help if you still need more people

6 years ago
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If you still need more people I am happy to join :)

6 years ago
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I have it on my wl

6 years ago
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I would like to join, and i agree with the terms posted :)

6 years ago
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wishlisted game! =)

6 years ago
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i agree.

6 years ago
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I would like to join if you need any more people

6 years ago
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I want to take part of this too! :)

6 years ago
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i agree :D

6 years ago
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Not sure if I'm too late but I'm fine with deletion if it doesn't work.

6 years ago
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I would love to join too, if it is still possible. Thank you very much!

6 years ago
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Pe‎Tlz

Type it ^ ...don't copy it.

View attached image.
6 years ago*
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What kind of sorcery is this?!

6 years ago
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The Unicode kind ;-)

6 years ago
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Thanks for this voodoo stuff :)

6 years ago
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Seems I hid this one too well:
https://www.steamgifts.com/stuff/38Yt&#8288Y/

Also, what Yirg said

6 years ago
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Bump :)

6 years ago
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http://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/9acfb002-a7–0-11e7-bc56--fa16—ee2f826

  1. Replace the em dash with 3
  2. Replace the en dash with b
  3. Remove the redundant hyphen
View attached image.
6 years ago
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Hint: The redundant hyphen is one (any one) of the two side-by-side hyphens...

6 years ago
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Deleted

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6 years ago
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I would totally understand Yirg if that was the case

6 years ago
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Hint: The em dash is the width of the letter M. The en dash is the width of the letter N. More trivia inside the giveaway!

6 years ago
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i understand NOTHING (ok nearly)

i am out by this one

6 years ago
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Hyphen: -
En Dash: –
Em Dash: —

Does this help?

6 years ago
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normaly i should now be able to solve it but NO .... tried it now around 20x ..... no chance

6 years ago
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Replacing the dashes is probably straightforward, so my hunch is that you missed the first hint.

6 years ago
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i say it again.... it should be easy but it is not.....
from my sight it give only 2 possibilities and both are wrong....

but one good side give it....
bots can't solve it too

6 years ago
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It is not hard, there are only 2 possible solutions. If you have ever entered a SGTools protected GA you should be able to solve it. The amount of numbers and letters within the specific blocks is always the same.

6 years ago*
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That's a good tip.

6 years ago
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Let's hope so. :)

6 years ago
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Solved.
facepalm
I was too sleepy.
I had deleted ALL Hypen in the link...so it not worked.
I must only dele ONE hypen. That was the only problem.
Thanks for the help

6 years ago
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;)

6 years ago
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Solved.
facepalm
I was too sleepy.
I had deleted ALL Hypen in the link...so it not worked.
I must only dele ONE hypen. That was the only problem.
Thanks for the help

And yes it helped... because En/Em Dash and Hyphen i can't understand first (i think with this have a lot people a problem)

6 years ago
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Thanks for this :)

6 years ago
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thanks

6 years ago
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Thanks!

6 years ago
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This will be bought through Steam using a coupon, so you will need to accept a friend request before October 5th.
---> hvPTx <---

6 years ago
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Runeyana open for one week

6 years ago
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K + r + L+ (two letter abbreviation from thank you) = Loot Hero DX

6 years ago
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Bump!

6 years ago
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WHO (without the O) + xoxo (without the o) = Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising [level: 0+ | time: 2 h]

6 years ago
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[(4x4)/(2x2)] + e + Kill (without the l) = Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee | level: 0+ | time: >80 h

6 years ago
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How to understand things like that? New in this topic

6 years ago
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Every link to giveaways is made up of the site address + 5 miscellaneous characters (like this: https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/12345), so just find out what those characters are and put in the 12345's place of my link. : )

Try: https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/?????/oddworld-abes-oddysee

6 years ago*
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Thank you!

6 years ago
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Bump

6 years ago
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