Game CDK Buying Guide: Official Keys vs Gray-Market Keys

What is a CDK

A CDK (activation/redemption code) is a digital voucher issued by publishers, redeemable for games or items on the corresponding platform.

Official key traits

• From the publisher or authorized dealers;
• With proper receipts and after-sales support;
• Never revoked after activation.

Gray-market risks

• Sources may include region arbitrage or card fraud; publishers revoke such keys;
• Revoked keys remove games from your library with no recourse;
• Some channels request account access for "proxy activation", risking account theft.

Advice

Prefer official channels; if using third parties, look for publisher authorization and activate immediately.