A poster in Valve's official forums complained that a key he bought through G2Play.net no longer lets him open and play the game. A Valve representative, BurtonJ, called such sales "illegitimate" and confirmed the ban. He recommends buying a full version of the game - maybe through Steam? Hint hint.

VE3D, which spotted the thread, points out that calling the key sales "illegitimate" is not entirely true. The keys are typically sold legally in Asia and other territories and while game makers try to ban it, their ability to do so is not absolute. Of course, the interest is clear: The keys being sold cost less than the full game, and both publisher and digital distributor stateside want to protect their bottom lines.

Valve's only advice to gray-market key buyers is ask for a refund and get a "legitimate" copy of the game.

Valve Banning Grey-Import Modern Warfare 2 CD Keys [VE3D]

To get my fill of Americana (and fat people), I hit Disneyworld with the fam while I was recently back in the States. Grabbed lunch with Alice, who spotted this in the Animal Kingdom parking lot: Someone advertising 20GB and 60GB PLAYSTATION 3s for sale and trying to make the happiest place on earth that much happier. Or something like that.

The "Not In Car" bit is classic! Brian Ashcraft

PS3 Animal Kingdom Ad [Wonderland Blog]

Japan-based Kotaku reader Dewi tipped us about his recent appearance on the TV program "Bankisha," which dealt with the PS3's gray market business. When Dewi saw the final cut, he discovered that he'd been edited right out. He blogs:

The recording went quite well, and I managed to make some good, valid points. So, imagine my horror when I eventually watched the show and realised that they'd edited me out! I spent a good hour or so fuming about it this morning. With hindsight, I think I can now guess why they used the other dudes, but not me. It would seem that my knowledge on the subject stopped me from towing the line, and I actually stood against some of the main points that the program was trying to make.

Dewi's story of what was edited out and part two of the video clip after the jump:

Ok, so basically, in our section [on the program], we had to do an eBay search in our region for PS3s, and then the staff and camera would come over, and we'd chat about it. They basically wanted to show two things; that lots of Japanese units were available abroad, and that people were paying ridiculous prices...

First, I pointed out that eBay had forbidden people from creating ps3 auctions in the UK until February, so any units that were there weren't really indicative of demand, or the real prices being paid. They weren't interested. What they were interested in was the most expensive listing that came up - 1,200 pounds - and they focused on that, going, 'wow, how expensive, just as I thought the UK is the most expensive!'.
Now, this simply wasn't true, and I am sick of the UK getting painted with the 'most expensive' brush. So, I pointed out the truth;

This was a buy it now price, nobody had bid on it, and nobody would, because the guy was being greedy.

Some units (the ones with bids, and I also showed them the finished auctions) were going for less than 500 pounds. He translated that into Japanese yen, and it came out at almost double the Japanese PS3 retail price. 'That's really expensive is!' he said. I didn't think so, considering that the UK PS3 is rumoured to launch at 425 pounds anyway, and won't be coming out for months - it doesn't seem like such a ridiculous price to me when put in that context. There are always some people who just have to have it. He asked me if I'm going to buy the system for 500 pounds. I'm sorry, but what a ridiculous question. I said no, because I live in Japan, and can get it for the Japanese price. He gave me a quizzical look. What the heckfire was he expecting me to say! 'Oh no, I can't buy it... only crazy rich people can afford that!' Seriously, what the hell!! What kind of mentally challenged people watch this show, if they think that Bankisha flew people in from these four countries who can speak Japanese, and now they are going to fly back and buy a PS3?!?

Anyway, so, yeh, I'm pretty bitter about it. Of course, I knew that Japanese TV was crap and sensationalist, like a TV version of the Daily Mail, but I have to say that I was disappointed nonetheless.

So what were the points Dewi was trying to make?

Anyway, besides my own personal grudge, I don't like the basic premise of the program — that PS3's aren't available in Japan because Chinese people and other foreigners are buying them all surreptitiously. No fingers are pointed at Sony for having a pitiful number of units available at launch, and screwing the Euro zone by delaying the launch there and raising the price. Even if not a single foreigner bought a Japanese PS3, they would all be sold out after all — I mean look people, you still can't walk into a store and buy a frikin' DS Lite here!

Well said. Bitter or not, he was sweet enough to even subtitle the show for all. Kudos for that! Brian Ashcraft

Dewi On TV [Nyago Blog]

As of writing, a quick look at Yahoo! Auctions still shows that "used" 60GB PLAYSTATION 3s are commanding higher than the ballpark 60,000 yen (US $517) retail price. Most units waver around 75,000 yen or $646 (yes, I know, some units are higher, 'kay). Above, this bricks-and-morter shop is offering new high-end units at 59,800 yen ($515) and "used" 60GB ones for the slightly lower 59,400 yen ($511). Know that neither are in stock, but it's a good barometer for the cooling gray PS3 market as more and more machines hit stores. Brian Ashcraft

For those who can't wait until tomorrow, have too much money and are idiots, then head over to New York's Chinatown! They've got you covered PS3 wise. Previously, we mentioned that the Japanese consoles were available in NYC. Reader Willis did some recon for us, talked to people and took pics (after the jump). Here's what he found out:

At Initial D (Elizabeth Center), they only had one of each type of PS3. The 20 GB is being sold at $1100, and the 60 GB unit was already sold at $1200. The guy running the shop also told me that they expect to get the American units by Thursday or Friday.

Across the street at J&L Game Trading Inc., their shipment had about 10 of each PS3 (!). The 20 GB ones are being sold for $1250 and the 60 GB ones are being sold for $1500. The guy I asked at the store didn't know how many units they had left, but estimated that they still had about 5-6 units of each type.

Even with the amazing markup in prices, people really are buying these Japanese PS3s. Included are several photos. The first one is from Elizabeth Center with the lonely 20 GB PS3. The second one shows shelved PS3s at J&L. The last two show the PS3 they had hooked up to the TV in their window, which was turned off today for some reason. Possibly because just having the damn thing in the window got them enough attention without showing any games.

So if the PS3 launches tomorrow and this shop is possibly getting the console today, we can only draw one conclusion: They're so lucky.