Jump to content

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

Padblaze
By Padblaze
in General Discussion
 Share
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 don’t want the card but I want to be a VAG. I don’t feel like a gamer at the moment as I hardly have time to play due to parenting, work, chores and sleep. Would be nice to feel like a gamer again.

i5 8600 - RX580 - Fractal Nano S - 1080p 144Hz

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
1 hour ago, thedarkdad3 said:

I was being sarcastic. Def going to stay away. Hope someone whos been saving hard earned money gets one tho.

 

Why?  If they had to save they are by definition someone who shouldn't be buying at the peak of a market.   

 

May as well have a verified coomer program

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I’m reassured that they’re taking the time to make sure at least gamers get cards. That at least is worth waiting for, since there really is no way to stop the most hardcore gamer from turning around and selling their verified actual gamer card.

I think it would be great if people who got a card through the program made their old hardware available to others here at fair prices, assuming of course the steps taken to verify actual gamers is enough to make those individuals trustworthy people to buy from.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
4 hours ago, LoveToMix said:

I'm grateful they extend it - Australia has a few tech tubers... but probably not quite able to do this.  Also, those tubers you mention have not as far as we know stepped up.  Thanks LTT for stepping up - that's a lot of cash they put up to just do this.  No other business would do that :)

Honestly I’m almost willing to bet that they will not do anything even remotely close to VAG :)

I agree with completely and after emu domination u guys need some break lol. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
13 hours ago, Drek said:

Sounds like they're going to continue to milk it for weeks.

Milk it? Like gain something from failed experiment? Linus has paid for the cards already. He won't gain anything by keeping them for weeks to months. He gains for successful launch of the program, both getting his money back and getting positive publicity for it. Failing to launch program after weeks isn't good for him, nor sending the stuff back. So please explain what you mean by "milking".

 

12 hours ago, gophergun said:

It seems inevitable that, based on the stock provided, more people will be disappointed than will get a card from this, but if they can set the expectation that most people won't be able to get a card they can mitigate that.

There will always be disappointed and angry people. Be it giveaway, be it launch of anything. Heck, people are already disappointed about whole thing.

 

9 hours ago, CinisterX said:

So I just heard about the program on the WAN show tonight, I've been an LTT fan and follower for years but only on YouTube I guess. I did a Google search and found the forum and signed up and figured maybe this would be the place to ask for more info.

We don't know any more than whats published by LMG. We can explain the things published, but thats about it.

 

8 hours ago, karamba said:

Hello everyone,

So is there a registration process here? (I understand there is no guarantee but at least it's worth trying)

I'm all the way in the Middle East (Jordan), but honestly even with absurd shipping rates, it might be better than buying a card for 2x and more, been hunting for ages and still nothing.. my valiant 970 is working overtime, but can barely carry gpu rendering. 

Have a great day everyone!

We don't know how it will work, or what the requirements are. The thing will be done via lttstore.com most likely, but how it works in practice is still unknown. And remember, besides shipping you may need to pay VAT+import fees. And you need to find about those yourself.

^^^^ That's my post ^^^^
<-- This is me --- That's your scrollbar -->
vvvv Who's there? vvvv

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

So what's the process?

Phone 1 (Daily Driver): Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G

Phone 2 (Work): Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G 256gb

Laptop 1 (Production): 16" MBP2019, i7, 5500M, 32GB DDR4, 2TB SSD

Laptop 2 (Gaming): Toshiba Qosmio X875, i7 3630QM, GTX 670M, 16GB DDR3

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

They said this week

Phone 1 (Daily Driver): Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G

Phone 2 (Work): Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G 256gb

Laptop 1 (Production): 16" MBP2019, i7, 5500M, 32GB DDR4, 2TB SSD

Laptop 2 (Gaming): Toshiba Qosmio X875, i7 3630QM, GTX 670M, 16GB DDR3

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
22 minutes ago, RoseLuck462 said:

They said this week

Linus also said in his last WAM show that he shouldn't have said that. . He likes to "spoil" sometimes because he's only trying to be nice and helpful. You can tell he's excited about it and sometimes says too much lol. Sometimes it'll bite you in the butt and he admitted to it. You live and learn everyday!

 

This is all due to the tariffs the US has implemented on China bought products.

The US wants to discourage china made products, so they added a 25% tariff on all items purchased in China.

 

I was a purchaser for a global company when Covid hit and the tariffs on metal was introduced. It had a MAJOR impact on our job to try and keep the cost relatively the same. 

I can only assume his team is trying their hardest to get this sorted out so they can get the cards to actual gamers.

 

Personally i'm going to enter (or try). I just built a new rig with a Ryzen 9 5900 and Im stuck with my 670 from my old rig.

I use it mainly for graphic design, CAD and some games. (hard to game when you have a business and kids including a newborn lol)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
11 hours ago, TheDuke77 said:

Wanna sell me one of your cards 😛 Im stuck on my old GTX 670 with my new ryzen 9 5900 build LOL

This is one hell of a bottleneck lol, is there a GPU bottleneck thread? This one might win

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I mean.  I'd be willing to sign a legally binding agreement to never sell the card.  Ever.  Hahaha.
I just wanna play games and make cool stuff. 🙂

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

This would be hella sweet.. I'm in Canada myself and looking for a video card for 4k gaming for .. well ever now.. I've been on the evga wait list for a 3080-3090 for atleast 3+ months. Local memory express aswell, haven't seen one card in stock since they released them 😞 Here's for hoping that this might go in my favor.. I just seen it from a snippet on the Wan show, did linus mention if this program (details) for the verified actual gamer thing was tied with the wan show or with linus tech tips? (just so I know where to keep my eyes on)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
Just now, Col_Hayes said:

I mean.  I'd be willing to sign a legally binding agreement to never sell the card.  Ever.  Hahaha.
I just wanna play games and make cool stuff. 🙂

not sure how they’d possibly enforce that, but never is a bit strong; I’d probably want to sell it in a few years to upgrade

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
1 minute ago, FriedEngineer said:

not sure how they’d possibly enforce that, but never is a bit strong; I’d probably want to sell it in a few years to upgrade

I've signed plenty of legally binding agreements in my lifetime. Buy a car? Use a credit card? Non-disclosure agreements?
They're fairly effective.

And as for selling it down the line, it would be a piece of 2021 history.  So I'd be fine holding onto it.  Eventually putting it in a display "The GPU wars of 2021"

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
2 hours ago, LogicalDrm said:

So please explain what you mean by "milking".

I guess he meant that more people now watch every LTT video.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hours will be viewed probably last 6-12 months via steam or some other way. After at which I think they will want to have updates from you. 

Windows 10 Latest Build
RAID 0 Samsung SSD 970 2tb EVO's (4Tb Store)
RTX 3090
9900k DELIDDED with custom copper Rockitcool @ 5ghz 
H150i RGB PRO XT
Corsair Dominator Platinum 64GB (4x16GB) DDR4 3200MHz C16 Desktop Memory 1.35v XMP Profile
Phanteks PH-P1200PS 80+ Platinum - Built-in Power Splitter 1200W Fully Modular

Z390 DESIGNARE (rev. 1.0)
Top Mon #2 ASUS ROG SWIFT PG348Q | NVIDIA G-Sync 100hz

Bottom Mon #1 Alienware Overclocked Refresh Rate #AW3418DW G-Sync 120hz

Server: 2019 DataCenter Edition, 42TB Store RAID 6 | WD Gold Enterprise Class 7200 RPM,SATA 6 Gb/s, 256 MB Cache

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
1 hour ago, FriedEngineer said:

not sure how they’d possibly enforce that, but never is a bit strong; I’d probably want to sell it in a few years to upgrade

If you watch the last WAN show you can tell they really don't care that much if the people that get them sell the, so long as they're actual gamers

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
15 hours ago, Dumb_Ass said:

BUT he also said first come first serve so...

 

do you remember when he said that please?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
7 hours ago, TheDuke77 said:

Linus also said in his last WAM show that he shouldn't have said that. . He likes to "spoil" sometimes because he's only trying to be nice and helpful. You can tell he's excited about it and sometimes says too much lol. Sometimes it'll bite you in the butt and he admitted to it. You live and learn everyday!

 

This is all due to the tariffs the US has implemented on China bought products.

The US wants to discourage china made products, so they added a 25% tariff on all items purchased in China.

 

I was a purchaser for a global company when Covid hit and the tariffs on metal was introduced. It had a MAJOR impact on our job to try and keep the cost relatively the same. 

I can only assume his team is trying their hardest to get this sorted out so they can get the cards to actual gamers.

 

Personally i'm going to enter (or try). I just built a new rig with a Ryzen 9 5900 and Im stuck with my 670 from my old rig.

I use it mainly for graphic design, CAD and some games. (hard to game when you have a business and kids including a newborn lol)

Don't boo hoo to bad j\k 😆

I'm running a Quad Core AMD Phenom II w\ 12G DDR3 and an MSI GTX 660. 🦥

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I was just curious if there was a place to sign up yet, in case I was completely missing it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
6 minutes ago, CinisterX said:

MSI GTX 660

You lucky bugger, I have an EVGA GTX 560.

 

 

 

 

 

Quote

CPU-AMD Ryzen 9 5900X / CPU Cooler-Noctua NH-D15S / Motherboard-MSI MPG X570S CARBON MAX WIFI / Memory-G.Skill Trident Z Neo 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 / Storage-WD WDBSLA0040HNC-NRSN 4TB 3.5" 7200 RPM / Storage-WD Red 6 TB 3.5" 5400 RPM--Crucial P3 4TB 3.0X4 NVME--Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1TB 4.0X4 NVME--Corsair MP600 CORE 2TB 4.0X4 NVME / Video Card-XFX Radeon RX 6900 XT / Case-Lian Li O11 Air Mini / PSU-SeaSonic PRIME 1000 W 80+ Gold / Sound Card-Creative Labs Sound Blaster Z w/Shield / Monitor-BenQ GW2765HT 27.0" 2560 x 1440 60 Hz / Monitor-Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ 27.0" 2560 x 1440 170 Hz / Keyboard-Logitech G Pro / Mouse-Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless / UPS-CyberPower GX1325U / Fan Controller-Corsair Commander Pro

Quote

CPU-AMD Ryzen 7 5800X / CPU Cooler-Corsair iCUE H100i ELITE CAPELLIX / Motherboard-Asus TUF GAMING X570-PRO (WI-FI) / MemoryG.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 / Storage-Western Digital Black SN750 SE 1TB 4.0X4 NVME--Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB 3.0X4 NVME--Seagate Barracuda Compute 3 TB 3.5" 5400 RPM / Video Card-Asus KO Gaming OC GeForce RTX 3070 / Case-Lian Li O11 Air Mini / Case-LIAN LI PCI-E 16 X 4.0 Black Riser / PSU-EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G+ Gold / Monitor-LG 22BK430H-B 21.5" 1920 x 1080 60 Hz / Monitor-MSI Optix 271CQP 27.0" 2560 x 1440 165 Hz Curved / Keyboard-Logitech G413 TKL SE / Mouse-Logitech G502 HERO Wired / UPS-CyberPower CP1350PFCLCD / Fan Controller-Corsair  Commander Pro / Sony HT-S200F Soundbar

Quote

CPU-AMD Ryzen 7 5700X / CPU Cooler-Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition / Motherboard-MSI MPG B550I GAMING EDGE MAX WIFI / Memory-G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 / Storage-Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB 3.0X4 NVME--PNY CS900 1TB 2.5" SSD--Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB NVME/ Video Card-EVGA XC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 / Case-Cooler NR200P / PSU-Cooler Master V750 SFX GOLD / Keyboard-HyperX Alloy Origins Core / Mouse-Logitech G502 HERO Wired / UPS-CyberPower LE1000DG-FC / Fan Controller-NZXT RGB & Fan Controller

Quote

CPU-AMD Ryzen 7 5700G / CPU Cooler-Scythe Shuriken 2 / Motherboard-Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI / Memory-Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3800 CL18 / Storage-WD Blue 1TB 2.5" SSD--Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB 3.0X4 NVME--Patriot P310 1.92TB 3.0X4 NVME / Case-InWin B1 Mesh / Keyboard-Logitech K380 / Mouse-Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless / Monitor-ViewSonic VX1755 17" 1080p Portable IPS Gaming Monitor 144Hz / Speakers-Creative Muvo Go (Black)

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

If they have any spare GTX 780s or HD 7970s I'd be interested more in those.

Phone 1 (Daily Driver): Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G

Phone 2 (Work): Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G 256gb

Laptop 1 (Production): 16" MBP2019, i7, 5500M, 32GB DDR4, 2TB SSD

Laptop 2 (Gaming): Toshiba Qosmio X875, i7 3630QM, GTX 670M, 16GB DDR3

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing General Discussion

×