Deep Silver deactivates Metro Exodus Steam keys stolen from a factory Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Deep Silver deactivates Metro Exodus Steam keys stolen from a factory "We were not aware that they had gotten into the wrong hands." News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 2 Apr 2019 20 comments Deep Silver has issued a warning to Steam users after it deactivated Metro Exodus keys that were stolen from a factory. In a post on Steam, the publisher said it had been made aware of illegal stolen keys for 4A Games' post-apocalyptic adventure, which were then sold by an unofficial key reseller. The Steam version of Metro Exodus was available for pre-order until 28 January 2019 directly via the Steam store. No official Steam keys were available to purchase separately (Humblebundle and the Razer store were the only supported key sellers for Metro Exodus outside the Epic Games store upon launch). Watch on YouTube These illegal keys, Deep Silver added, were stolen from the factory where physical key printing had taken place prior to the controversial announcement of timed-exclusivity with Epic Games. Deep Silver explained the keys found in the physical editions printed at the factory in question were missing executable files "as they were not meant to be released". Deep silver was then moved to issue a statement on Steam after users complained they couldn't launch the game. "We were not aware that they had gotten into the wrong hands," Deep Silver said of the stolen keys. "The binaries were disabled on these keys from the beginning, the community brought it to our attention that the games they had from the reseller were not updating. After an investigation we have become aware that they were stolen." Deep Silver said it had deactivated all the unlicensed keys, meaning activation and download of Metro Exodus without the executable file is no longer possible. And, the game will be removed from the Steam library of any players who used an unauthorised code. "The keys being sold on this platform are stolen goods, and are therefore illegal," Deep Silver said. "If you have been affected we strongly recommend you contact the seller who sold you the unlicensed key and demand a refund." Metro Exodus will return to Steam after 14th February 2020. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 5 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store