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Ushpiz Sep 20, 2014 @ 6:43am
Will I get banned for using VPN on a game that's available for my region?
I don't really know the rules,
Can I buy a cd key to buy ARMA 3 (which is available for my country)?

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Showing 1-14 of 14 comments
Satoru Sep 20, 2014 @ 7:07am 
why do you need to use the VPN in the first place
Hextravert Sep 20, 2014 @ 7:16am 
Steam doesn't sell any CD keys to begin with.

You don't get banned for activating a CD key.

How and/or where you purchase(d) your CD key(s) is none of their business.

Originally posted by Lampy:
Can I buy a cd key to buy ARMA 3 (which is available for my country)?
Kesac Sep 20, 2014 @ 7:30am 
You will NOT get VAC banned for using a VPN.

However, using a VPN is against the SSA, and can get your account disabled. Even if the game is available in your region, certain regions have different pricing. If you use a VPN to get around these restrictions, (for example, buy the russian version of the game and use a russian VPN), your account can get disabled.
Ushpiz Sep 20, 2014 @ 9:22am 
I found a legit site that sells cd keys for lower price then steam's.. one of the ways of using the key is VPN
Is that a problem?
Satoru Sep 20, 2014 @ 9:26am 
Yes that is a BIG problem

Using a VPN to activate a game is a violation of te SSA. And will result in your account being suspended

Only purchase from authorized resellers
Ushpiz Sep 20, 2014 @ 9:41am 
Okay thanks!
I want to buy ARMA 3 and there are 2 options in the site-
standard purchase which is 35$
and VPN which is 20$

So you're saying that if I buy standard purchase and get a normal cd key and activate it I won't get any problems with steam?
Satoru Sep 20, 2014 @ 9:58am 
Purchase only from authorized resellers

That site is not one
Hextravert Sep 20, 2014 @ 11:12am 
I can't help but wonder whether the VPN thingie would work anyway.

Isn't a Steam account's nationality so to speak set in stone upon registration:twbuh: It remains unchanged even if you were to go abroad.

Only Steam Support can change that.
HLCinSC Sep 20, 2014 @ 12:12pm 
Originally posted by Hextravert:
I can't help but wonder whether the VPN thingie would work anyway.

Isn't a Steam account's nationality so to speak set in stone upon registration:twbuh: It remains unchanged even if you were to go abroad.

Only Steam Support can change that.
Many region locked games say only purchasable or activatable in certain countries. If you buy a row key it doesn't matter where it is purchased or activated, but if you buy let's say a Russian key it will not let you activate it outside of Russia unless you use a VPN which as stated above can result in a ermanent account lock.
Originally posted by Lampy:
I found a legit site that sells cd keys for lower price then steam's.. one of the ways of using the key is VPN
Is that a problem?

First, NONE of those shady "key seller" sites are "legit" in any way. For your safety, you should buy ONLY from authorized resellers such as Amazon, GMG, and such, regardless of what others may have told you about the site's "legit" status or what they bought there. It is always a risk.

Second, using VPN to hide/change your country of origin is an SSA issue and not a VAC one and can result in far more severe consequences.
Ushpiz Sep 21, 2014 @ 2:17am 
Thanks to all the answeres!
Astori Heichalot Sep 21, 2014 @ 3:29am 
Originally posted by Hextravert:

How and/or where you purchase(d) your CD key(s) is none of their business.
getting a cdkey from key generator or "scam" purchases will get your account suspended
Last edited by Astori Heichalot; Sep 21, 2014 @ 3:30am
Hopper Sep 21, 2014 @ 6:48am 
Using a VPN is fine. Using a VPN to avoid regional restrictions is not. So, if you need to hook up to a VPN to play LAN with your friends on a game, that is fine. But, you cannot use a VPN to get around regional restrictions, thats not allowed. So my advice is don't download or purchase anything off of steam while on a VPN.
Last edited by Hopper; Sep 21, 2014 @ 6:50am
Max Sep 21, 2014 @ 8:47am 
Using VPNs to bypass regional restrictions is, as per the Steam Subscriber Agreement, not allowed:
Originally posted by Steam Subscriber Agreement ("SSA"):
You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, we may terminate your access to your Account.

In short: No, you may not use VPN to activate a game which is not activatable in your country.
Last edited by Max; Nov 3, 2016 @ 10:54am
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Date Posted: Sep 20, 2014 @ 6:43am
Posts: 14