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Verified Actual Gamer Program Information [See Best Answer / 2021-10-08 update]

Padblaze
By Padblaze
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Go to solution Solved by LogicalDrm,

*** IMPORTANT *** LATEST INFO ***


***

Latest drop was made 2021-09-28 17:11 UTC

The drop is over, we have no info about when, what or where the next will be. Follow LinusTechTips on Youtube for any new drops.

***

EXPECTED TO DROP NEXT:

  • Intel Arc GPUs (hinted at Dec 24th WAN Show)

***

About shipping and handling

  • Handling times seem to be 1 week from drop to shipping label created.
  • Shipping times depend on carrier. For outside of NA, the carrier is FedEx and shipping times seem to be regular 5-14 days. For US and Canada, the shipping times might be same, or even longer.
  • Any additional charges, like customs fees and local VAT are paid on entry to country. There has been variation between countries to whom payments are made (FedEx on delivery, FedEx to their office, custom directly), so contact your local FedEx or customs offices for more details on those.

***

Known drops:

1. Asus 3070, 3080 and 3090, 2021-03-20 17:40 UTC

Spoiler

 

2. MSI 3080 SeaHawk, 2021-03-30 16:59 UTC

Spoiler

3. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, 2021-04-09 00:59 UTC

Spoiler

 

4. Asus TUF 6800XT, 2021-04-24 01:57 UTC / During WAN Show

Spoiler

 

5. Asus TUF 6800XT, 2021-04-26 17:05 UTC

Spoiler

vag2.thumb.PNG.ddd1ef7594273016c360771a196baf6a.PNGvag.PNG.6b7b0a1f9d7fc091e7b30720625e99f8.PNG

 

6. EVGA RTX 3060 XC Gaming / RTX 3070 FTW3 Ultra, 2021-05-06 20:29 UTC

Spoiler

 

7. MSI RTX 3080 Ti VENTUS 3X OC, 2021-09-28 17:11 UTC

Quote

$1589.99

***
 

Spoiler

 

PARTICIPATION ENDED! If you are local to LMG (Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada), you can participate to this https://gleam.io/nntHg/verified-actual-gamer-program-can-you-beat-linus

Announced in WAN Show https://youtu.be/-qj6hkLkdYg?t=2450

The even video (also 6th drop video)

 

***

FAQ

 

How do I enter? Can I enter? Where to signup?

You don't. All information about the drops are posted to Youtube and are hidden in videos. So far all drops have been on LinusTechTips main channel.

 

UPDATE: One of the drops was made live, during the WAN Show on Fridays. Until now there has been no drops on Friday or weekends.

 

UPDATE: For limited time, you can participate with local event https://gleam.io/nntHg/verified-actual-gamer-program-can-you-beat-linus

 

I watched the video, but there were no information. Where do I find this?

The information about the drop is removed from video after the drop is over.

 

When are videos posted?

At the moment LMG is using their regular timeslot which is 10-11AM PST (17-18 UTC).

UPDATE: LMG has posted in different timeslot to allow those in school or working chance.

 

How does this work?

So far the known information is following:

  • Video is posted on Youtube and Floatplane at the same time.
  • There's segment in video where Linus gives a hint about what link you need to use in order to enter. The hints are words and Linus uses his fingers to state what parts of the link they are. The links start with http://www.lttstore.com/. Link is temporary and will only show note about drop ending afterwards.
    • UPDATE: Previously there was actual cut-scene, latest drop had just voice-over during b-roll.
  • There will be challenge on store page.
    • The first two drops had 15 question quiz about video games. You have 3 lives and 3-4 options to choose from. Fastest to finish will get their chance to buy items.
      • Besides 3 lives, you can skip 2 questions.
      • The latest drop had questions in video format with some answers shown as "A/B/C/D" and some as written normally.
    • UPDATE: Latest drop had small flash game in style of Jump King / Icy Tower.
  • Item of the drop is shown on store page before taking the quiz. You will see the price and other details too.
  • UPDATE: After completing challenge, you are put onto queue with AFK meter to prevent idling. Forgetting to re-charge bar will drop you at the tail end of the line
  • Prices are before VAT, tariffs etc. and shown in USD. Price after tariffs (US only) are shown on page.
  • You are allowed to buy one CPU and one GPU from this event. (Source)

 

Can you tell me when the next drop is?

No, because we don't know.

 

I'm at school/sleeping/working/have other reasons and can't watch at current time slot.

Linus has said that they will at some point use different time slot. What it is, we don't know. UPDATE: The time slot for later time was 12PM-1AM UTC.

 

Why can't they have link or more information somewhere?

Because the whole point is make this as hard as possible for anyone but the absolute most dedicated fans.

 

Why they don't collect list of people? Why aren't forum members, Floatplane subscribers etc. prioritized?

List wouldn't do anything. There would still need to be draw of sort needed, and the list would consist more of non-gamers the longer it was left open. Prioritizing forum members would discriminate towards other parts of audience.

 

Having payment as requirement to join or as something making "winning" more likely is classified as lottery under laws. This would require permit, it would exclude several regions which require local permits or don't allow any lottery, and it would put age limit of 19 years in place.

 

Can I try quiz afterwards?

At the moment, no. But there might be site at some point after event ends.

 

***

Posts made by Luke and Linus.

Spoiler

 

***

WAN Show segments

Spoiler

WAN Show Jun 4, 2021

26:25 - 27:10 "We currently have no stock, but the program is still on"

1:23:00 - 1:23:30 One board partner with some 3080Ti's coming

 

WAN Show April 23, 2021

17:43 - 34:43 VAG Drop live on stream

43:15 - 44:50 VAG drop is over, hinted about 270 more cards

1:16:40 - 1:17:44 Some last minute info

***

WAN Show April 16, 2021

1:36:30 Super-chats

***

WAN Show April 9, 2021

13:20 - 13:40 The latest drop info
40:50 - 43:55 The local event info
1:15:35 - 1:17:34 Super-chats #1
1:24:25 - 1:24:47 Super-chats #2
1:25:47 - 1:26:07 Super-chats #3

***

WAN Show August 27, 2021

1:05:40 - Super-chats

***

WAN Show October 8, 2021

2:06:20 - Super-chats

Here Linus says that Verified Actual Gamer program would be suspended until further notice. Reason given was that retail prices are about same as so-called "scalper prices". Making the program pointless.

***

 WAN Show December 24, 2021

1:09:10 onward

***

 

To be updated

***

Misc:

Spoiler

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14584314

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14584685

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14584833

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14590605

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14599356

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14599549

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14629352

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=14677960

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information/?do=findComment&comment=15015997

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1312490-verified-actual-gamer-program-information-see-best-answer-2021-10-08-update/?do=findComment&comment=15171174

 

 

Posted

I am. They haven't dropped on AMD.com in three weeks. 👀

 

Can't wait to be able to use my Index again.

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Posted

what did they even end up selling for ?

 

i might tune in to a future drop

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Posted
12 minutes ago, mikezilla2 said:

what did they even end up selling for ?

 

i might tune in to a future drop

Not sure about the first drop which had 3070s, 3080s and 3090s from ASUS TUF but on the second one they dropped MSI RTX 3080 Sea Hawk X's and I got one for 1000$, which is a good price especially considering it's a GPU with amazing AIO water cooling by Asetek

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Posted
31 minutes ago, mikezilla2 said:

what did they even end up selling for ?

Look at the prices on Asus website, and possibly EVGA, AMD for the future.

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Posted
23 hours ago, Gavagai said:

Is anyone else uber stoked for the AMD drop? I want a 6800xt SO BADLY!

SOOOO FREAKING HYPED.

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Posted

So.. did I just miss a drop by 30 minutes? Or was it not a drop today.

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Posted

OK then I will go back to sleep again (its 4am here lol, kept waking up to see).

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Posted
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2 minutes ago, Frodo Baggins said:

OK then I will go back to sleep again (its 4am here lol, kept waking up to see).

lol bro same thing for me i hope its tomorrow tho cuz otherwise I have school and I can't go directly on the video

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Posted
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Hey, anyone remember what was the price of the RTX 3080 for the first drop? I know there was the Seahawk RTX 3080 on the second but I have a budget of 800$ USD for the GPU and it was 1000$ USD lol.

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Posted
9 minutes ago, Padblaze said:

Hey, anyone remember what was the price of the RTX 3080 for the first drop? I know there was the Seahawk RTX 3080 on the second but I have a budget of 800$ USD for the GPU and it was 1000$ USD lol.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think there are any 3080 through the VAG program for under 800 for American buyers. After tax, tariff, shipping, and any shipping insurance even a FE card will be sitting over 800. Even the 6800xt reference card from AMD, which has a MSRP set at 650, will be sitting a bit above 800. 

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5 minutes ago, Gavagai said:

 

Unfortunately, I don't think there are any 3080 through the VAG program for under 800 for American buyers. After tax, tariff, shipping, and any shipping insurance even a FE card will be sitting over 800. Even the 6800xt reference card from AMD, which has a MSRP set at 650, will be sitting a bit above 800. 

Oh, I'm a Canadian buyer so I don't have any tariffs and I don't mind paying 25$ + for shipping. Also, I was talking about the price pre taxes so I have more than 800$ USD like budget. 

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Posted
57 minutes ago, Padblaze said:

Oh, I'm a Canadian buyer so I don't have any tariffs and I don't mind paying 25$ + for shipping. Also, I was talking about the price pre taxes so I have more than 800$ USD like budget. 

Ah, then you can probably get most of them. They are literally charging whatever the MSRP is, so go look on Best Buy (I think they are strictly charging MSRP still).

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26 minutes ago, Gavagai said:

Ah, then you can probably get most of them. They are literally charging whatever the MSRP is, so go look on Best Buy (I think they are strictly charging MSRP still).

Alright thanks 🙂

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Posted
2 hours ago, Padblaze said:

Oh, I'm a Canadian buyer so I don't have any tariffs and I don't mind paying 25$ + for shipping. Also, I was talking about the price pre taxes so I have more than 800$ USD like budget. 

Well that depends on which one they go for, even an aircooled 3080 could cost around 900$ USD, it really depends on the model, anyway I think the next drop inline is AMD hardware, not sure which one they're working with for Nvidia graphics card.
They did tease being in talks with EVGA but from checking on their site their cards are above 800$ USD besides one which comes exactly at 800$.
If a 3080 is what you're set on you might want to try and increase your budget just a little to be on the safe side for the next drops, AIB partner cards are usually more expansive than FE in MSRPs
The first drop if I'm not mistaken was an ASUS TUF RTX 3080 and as far as I can tell it's MSRP is 699$

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2 hours ago, LordPoopGreen said:

Well that depends on which one they go for, even an aircooled 3080 could cost around 900$ USD, it really depends on the model, anyway I think the next drop inline is AMD hardware, not sure which one they're working with for Nvidia graphics card.
They did tease being in talks with EVGA but from checking on their site their cards are above 800$ USD besides one which comes exactly at 800$.
If a 3080 is what you're set on you might want to try and increase your budget just a little to be on the safe side for the next drops, AIB partner cards are usually more expansive than FE in MSRPs
The first drop if I'm not mistaken was an ASUS TUF RTX 3080 and as far as I can tell it's MSRP is 699$

Alright, thanks for ur answer, I think I am just going to increase my budget 🙂 😞

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Posted
22 minutes ago, Padblaze said:

Alright, thanks for ur answer, I think I am just going to increase my budget 🙂 😞

Well they might still drop a 700-800$ 3080, and you might get one 🙂
Just be prepared to pay a little bit more than that if needed, and it's still a damn good price during this time 😄

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Posted

I'd be ecstatic with either a 6800 XT or a 3080. Then again as I'm using a 10+ year old Quadro card with 1gb of ram I'd probably take any modern graphics card they list (assuming I could get through on time and answer the questions correctly). Feels a bit like playing the lottery in that it gives you some hope, but it is almost certainly a fools hope.

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Posted

You cant really avoid tariffs and there there for a reason. The real problem is that there's no availability period. Went by local best buy and every time they said they didn't have any and to go online. Fry's closed... I was even considering driving up north to Vancouver BC to visit micro center (3-4 hour drive, been to BC before visiting a friend) Just not sure if they are still doing 14 day quarantine thing or not? 

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Posted
7 hours ago, Frodo Baggins said:

I'd be ecstatic with either a 6800 XT or a 3080. Then again as I'm using a 10+ year old Quadro card with 1gb of ram I'd probably take any modern graphics card they list (assuming I could get through on time and answer the questions correctly). Feels a bit like playing the lottery in that it gives you some hope, but it is almost certainly a fools hope.

Oh it's not a fool's hope, their video uploads are usually on 10AM PST, some times earlier and as far as I can tell always at round hours, and with that information you can get on every video when it comes out every day (assuming you have time to check it at the time of upload), check to see if there's a clip of the drop during the video, solve the "riddle" to get to the link and start the Gamer's Gauntlet quiz, you can even fail a few times during the quiz and start it again and still get a chance to get a card.
I was on your mindset a week ago but then I got one :) if you follow these steps and be quick about it you have a really good chance, good luck!

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Posted

Hi, do you think I can buy one 3080 and ship to Portugal? I'm trying to get one for ages, but I can't find one here 😕 

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Posted

You need to read the pinned post.

 

I guess shipping to Portugal is more expensive than to USA, but still not as bad as buying from scalpers.

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Posted

btw as I remember this is not true @LogicalDrm

Quote

You don't know what item is on sale or at what price before completing the quiz (yet to be confirmed).

You can see the price and model immediately after reaching the store page. But of course you should not spend time examining this info before finishing the quiz. 😉

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