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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3 months ago
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It look like it work ;)

3 months ago
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It works, just entered :)

3 months ago
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Thank you, works just fine :)

3 months ago
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I secret fail. lmao

3 months ago
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Try again

3 months ago
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I secret fail again. :)

3 months ago
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You have GA which is not activated by the winner, ok i will change

3 months ago
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Ah, yeah, winner didn't listen and tried to redeem like a week after the code expired.

3 months ago
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Lol, you have waited till the evening of December 31st to create GAs for a bunch of Jingle Jam games, knowing that the keys may already expire on January 1st, but it's the winner of 1 of those GAs (which key has expired no later, than on Jan 2nd), who is guilty, cause she/he "didn't listen" to your warning that the keys may expire soon. Interesting point of view ;)

3 months ago*
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Try again finish to change

3 months ago
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Still fail.

3 months ago
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i fail too, but thats okay, probably only considering sheer numbers of sent/won (which also favours people who give away a lot of Freebies) and not real CV

3 months ago
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Try again i finish change all rules

3 months ago
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still no success

3 months ago
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Wtf really? Wait 20 minute i will turn on my pc

3 months ago
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Thanks for the GA. Unfortunately, it seems I failed at the requirements.

3 months ago
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👀

View attached image.
3 months ago
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I fail too :(

3 months ago
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I still fail to pass the rules. I don't mind, I already have the game. But I thought you would want all the possible feedback.

3 months ago
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Try it again

3 months ago
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Nope, still can't pass.
Look at my profile. If you think I should pass your rules, then look carefully at your rules because there's something wrong.
As I mentioned, I already have the game, maybe you put that one?

3 months ago
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I have displayed the rules, can you help me to correct the rules so I can change what I need to change

3 months ago
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Rule: Maximum Real CV (Sent): 0

Error displayed: Your Real CV is too high: 2625.78, maximum permitted: 0

There, you must not touch the maximums so they stay gray, and then they're not used. If your minimum is 0 and your maximum is 0 no one is going to pass.

3 months ago
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Try again

3 months ago
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you've set it to 100, that's far too low

3 months ago
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setting it to 1 doesn't help either, this is not the ratio, it's real CV $

3 months ago
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Your Real CV is too high: 2626.23, maximum permitted: 1

Go to maximum Real CV sent, select the 1 and press "del". A grey "750" should appear. That means the rule is not set. That's what you want.
If you're going to set the minimum to 0, then you should as well remove the rule. Select the number in the place, delete it, and let the gray default appear. I think it's 40.

3 months ago
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I also failed. Glad to read it doesn't seem to be a rare thing ;P

3 months ago
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Sorry, this is my first time using SG Tools, I have changed it, but many people can't enter it. However, 46 people have already entered it

3 months ago
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if you want help with feedback on the rules make them not private.

I managed to pass them, but I also did it before you set the rules private/changed them some(not entering the GA)

3 months ago
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i guess rules are something like a 2:1 ratio, which only a selected few will have

3 months ago
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I'll show you the rules, and tell me what I need to change

3 months ago
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Your Real CV is too high: 1846.2, maximum permitted: 0

3 months ago
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personally... get rid of any max's on sent and won... you end up just blocking active oldies in the attempt to block a few people in the "what appears as effectively win trading" groups

any ratio based thing I would cap at 1(would do lower, ratio isn't the most important thing here imo, its being human and entering for things you want to play(hopefully)), don't use max ratios.... don't deny someone because they have given 500 games sent and won 1.

I also wouldn't bother with max entries.

I would check the box to ensure people have activated all their wins to(rule compliance!)

3 months ago
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Let's see tell me what i change

3 months ago
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I'll show you the rules, and tell me what I need to change

3 months ago
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Sot hat other people can use it, what should I do

3 months ago
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Maximum Real CV (Sent): 0 - You'll have to remove this, as anyone who has sent a non-free gift will be denied with this rule
Maximum Real CV (Won): 0 - This too. Anyone who has a single non-free win won't be able to join.

3 months ago
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i guess he has set back all rules to zero and wants us to tell him exact numbers, but as i never used SG Tools myself i'm a bit overwhelmed with this task

3 months ago*
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What should I do, so that everyone can use my GA link

3 months ago
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Keep the rules simple if you aren't sure which rule does what. You can experiment with it later on but for now just keep it simple. Like the one below -
https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/ae1ef01c-a766-4632-a2b2-fbaa2dff75fa

3 months ago
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If this is your first time, this one is a good idea. Keep it simple. Then you can experiment and see what you prefer.

Thanks for the gift anyway. Not entering.

3 months ago
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I guess it depends: Who do you want to keep out, and who do you want to let in?

3 months ago
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it seems that your attempt is giving you a hard time 😸 can't enter but anyway thank u for the effort!

3 months ago
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LMAO, it gives me:
Your Real CV is too high: 1419.66, maximum permitted: 1

3 months ago
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Secret fail lol

3 months ago
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I secret fail.lol

3 months ago
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i failed but i didnt know that game - looks nice :)

3 months ago
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斩妖行 Zhǎn yāo xíng
Demon slaying
Chinese answer to The Witcher funded and published by b?l?b?l? so it HAS to be good

https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/UKy?9/eastern-exorcist

level 5, ends February 9th 11:59 pm CET

3 months ago*
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Bump 🥰

3 months ago
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bump ;)

3 months ago
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ENDED!

Quick 1-hour giveaway for Kitaria Fables.
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/ClGJ?/kitaria-fables
The last letter of the alphabet!

Open to everyone.
Grants no CV for me.

3 months ago*
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Have a bump so more people can see it.

Thanks

3 months ago
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Thanks man!

3 months ago
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get another bump for your flash GA

3 months ago
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😎

10 minutes left.

3 months ago
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Hello! Hope you're doing great! This game is on my wishlist for a while, and I didn't see your giveaway in time. Anyway, I added you in my whitelist because of the wonderful cat - which name I want to know, if possible - in your avatar! I appreciate your generosity to the community! =D

3 months ago
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Hello, thanks for your kind words and for the 💙! The cats name is Charly and he is 7 years old (we got him shortly after his birth)!

3 months ago
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About the WL, it was nothing, at all!
Awww, what a handsome Tuxedo! Thanks for informing me his name! Give him a nose boop and the best cuddles in my name and in the name of the 4 Cat Ladies that own the house I live in! XD
I wish a great week to you and to your dearest ones, take care! =)

3 months ago
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Hehe, will do that, if I don't forget it.
Thank you, have a great week also!

3 months ago
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He is 007. Years Old.
The name's Bond. Charly Bond.

3 months ago
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;-)

3 months ago
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You can think to share here another time

3 months ago
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Sure, I can post my quick giveaways there in the future.

3 months ago
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So here's a bunch of stuff from the lastest bundles that I didn't need 😅
Enjoy
? is the last letter of the alphabet
Level 2+
Ends Feb 10

3 months ago*
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bump

3 months ago
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Thanks

3 months ago
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Nice indeed.

3 months ago
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no work for me i try lower and upper do still miss something?

3 months ago
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make sure the browser isn't taking the older url input instead of the newer ones. happens a lot in chrome.

3 months ago
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use firefox, open in a new window and still no work

3 months ago
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you were right, damnit how do I disable that?

3 months ago
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Not sure how to disable it, but you can remove the older urls from being used f you remove the suggestion from the url bar by clicking on the close button beside the suggestions that shows in the dropdown when you type out the link.

View attached image.
3 months ago
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3 months ago
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That's insane, why do they do it. I never knew this, and it's so frustrating.

3 months ago
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Thanks!

3 months ago
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bump

3 months ago
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Deleted

This comment was deleted 3 months ago.

3 months ago
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Bump!

3 months ago
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Bump!

3 months ago
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What do the hyphens (-) stand for? Tried "o" for both, didn`t help

3 months ago
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Write only the GA code, without the name of the game.

3 months ago
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Deleted

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3 months ago
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i do zNOoE, but go to base page, is there any regional restrictions?
TY for the help btw!

3 months ago
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When talking about "the alphabet", it is usually uppercase.

3 months ago
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Deleted

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3 months ago
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finely got it did know hyphens (-) stand for "o"

3 months ago
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boop :)

3 months ago
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Bump!

3 months ago
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Not entering any but have a bump for the really nice train!

3 months ago
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Thanks for the ride! :)

3 months ago
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Awesome ride, thanks and bump!

3 months ago
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Bump!

3 months ago
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bump!

3 months ago
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Deleted

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3 months ago
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/P??pJ/the-solitaire-conspiracy
?? the United States wanted to build a Super Collider but the project was canned due to rising costs and political intrigue.

Level 5. ends 14/2 11:59 pm CET

2 months ago
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It was going to be so Super it had super in the name twice! Superconducting Super Collider :D

From your comment, I take it you've seen these videos about it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivVzGpznw1U
If not, definitely worth a watch!

2 months ago
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Besides Mr.Reagan the superconducting part was a reason for abandoning the project. History repeated itself with the problematic superconducting magnets in LHC.

Edit: I brought up the whole collider story as it delivers combined with game title SC times three so nobody complains about the difficulty of the riddle :)

2 months ago*
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What am I missing? I've tried every two-digit year from the beginning of its design until its cancellation?!

Edit: Ok got it from your other comment, but the hint format is really misleading.

2 months ago*
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Take the sum of all fears and I agree the hint is misleading. I just didn't put into consideration that others might take a different approach. It's very difficult to produce a shoe that fits them all.

2 months ago*
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I probably would have went with "the United States wanted to build a ?uper ?ollider but the project was canned due to rising costs and political intrigue".

2 months ago
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Then somebody would have complained he'd tried sc and it didn't work :)

2 months ago
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True. ^^

2 months ago
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Argh! This ugly American just got trolled. Nicely done. Looks like an interesting game.

2 months ago
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2 months ago
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Bump!

2 months ago
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Excellent giveaway idea! The game is quite short but very good, even emotional. Thanks for spreading the word!

2 months ago
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bump ;)

2 months ago
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/*V*UA/cities-in-motion-2

first * - second-last letter of alphabet
second - second-last letter of alphabet, but uppercase

lvl 2

2 months ago
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Thanks for the chance. Have a bump

2 months ago
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Deleted

This comment was deleted 4 weeks ago.

2 months ago
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2 months ago
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Bump!

2 months ago
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/?sqi?/oaken

??=Brand acronym of professional grade gear to help people stay and feel alive for more than 140 years. It all started in 1877 when a sea captain found a better way to stay protected from the harsh Norwegian elements.

level 4, ends Feb.23, 11:59 pm CET

2 months ago
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Thank you! :)

2 months ago
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👍

2 months ago
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I always like to see I already own the games from giveaways that require puzzles to unlock that seem difficult to me :D

2 months ago
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I know, I know it's quite futile to expect any interest in outdoor fashion from an avid pc gamer ;)

2 months ago
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/0v**9/from-space

** - abbreviation for a popular game about playing on de_dust2 and insulting your opponents' moms

lvl 3. Ends in 4 hours

2 months ago
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The second hint is not very useful. Too many multiplayer games match it.

(It's just a joke...)

2 months ago*
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Yo mamma is popular on de_dust2! ^^

2 months ago
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She's also very popular in Inferno. Top ten in casualties ranking there.
Also, there might be five, six CSGO players who can use more and worse cuss words than my dear mommy. She was married to a 17th century caribbean pirate zombie. Yes my childhood was somewhat complex.
Yo mamma is so bad at CSGO that she changed her username to "LetMePlayMoreThan10SecsPls".

2 months ago
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She was married to a 17th century caribbean pirate zombie. Yes my childhood was somewhat complex.

That explains your good looks... :P

Yo mamma is so fat, your pirate zombie daddy had to roll her around on de_dust2 to find the wet spot.

2 months ago
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yo-yo ma

2 months ago
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bump ending soon

2 months ago
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Bump

2 months ago
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2 months ago
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it does not look like the official steam-gifts:)

2 months ago
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It's SGTools, a tool in a form of a website that lets you do some interesting checks to steamgifts mechanics. You can find more information here:
https://www.steamgifts.com/discussion/b736C/

2 months ago
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I am ok with this website only, thanks for letting me know:)

2 months ago
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It's supported by it dw

2 months ago
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2 months ago
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Crowborne
lv0
JRGYS
nothing special got the free key
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway//crowborne

2 months ago
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NeverGoingHome
lv0
Rfq2E
yea another free key lol
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway//nevergoinghome

2 months ago
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"Yellow: The Yellow Artifact"
lv0
NZoTY
One more time
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway//yellow-the-yellow-artifact

2 months ago
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Lord of the Dark Castle
lv0
U9QDh
Ehh why not lol
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway//lord-of-the-dark-castle

2 months ago
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/P**Sh/curved-space

**=speaker configuration in high end surround systems (without point)

Level 4, ends Friday 12pm CET

2 months ago
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Bump

2 months ago
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Thank you! :)

2 months ago
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Deleted

This comment was deleted 2 months ago.

2 months ago
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"This code is currently being redeemed by someone."
Present progressive, oh, my!

2 months ago
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Bump!

2 months ago
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