Key Takeaways
- CDKeys is rebranding to Loaded in September, despite its good reputation among gamers.
- The name change aims to reflect a broader inventory, including digital keys for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo.
- Many customers feel the rebranding may harm the company's brand identity and have expressed negative opinions online.
- CDKeys operates as an unauthorized reseller, purchasing Steam keys in bulk from regions with cheaper prices, which some game publishers dislike.
- Speculation exists that the new name may indicate future changes or partnerships, as the "CDKeys" label faces restrictions in certain online communities.
While numerous competitors have a poor reputation, gamers tend to see CDKeys as a fairly credible key reseller. This is why some consumers are raising eyebrows at the company's recent rebranding choice. Shoppers will still have the option to purchase Steam games at lower prices, but they will need to adapt to a new brand name. As mentioned in its blog, CDKeys is set to change its name to Loaded in September.
Reason Behind The Change
The store indicates that one reason for this transformation is that CDs are becoming an old-fashioned medium. However, when CDKeys launched in 2013, Valve’s Steam was already a leading digital marketplace. Even though physical media has been on the decline, shoppers still linked the retailer with affordable Steam keys. Very few, if any, customers have asked for a name change to match the industry's evolution.
Expanded Inventory
The Loaded branding aims to show a broader selection of products. Console gamers can now discover keys for digital titles on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. Nevertheless, a lot of fans feel that the key reseller is losing its brand identity. Words like “terrible” and “foolish” are often used by users on gaming forums and Reddit to express their feelings about this decision.
In the blog post, the store notes that “CDKeys was the naughties.” Even though the retailer boasts a commendable 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot, it operates in a somewhat unclear zone. As an unauthorized reseller of Steam keys, it purchases games in bulk, usually from areas where software is cheaper. Customers enjoy the discounts, but game publishers would prefer that transactions occur on Steam or the Epic Games Store.
Speculations About Future Changes
Some gamers are guessing that the Loaded name might hint at a new sponsorship agreement. While CDKeys enjoys a solid reputation among similar services, it might not have the image that potential partners are seeking. The store might also be eager to move away from the “CDKeys” label, which is blocked in certain forums and chat rooms. Regardless, these consumers suspect that more changes are on the horizon for the website beyond just a name update.
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