Region lock explained - why a key may not work in your country
The same game can cost very different amounts in different countries, so publishers restrict where a key may be activated. That restriction is the region lock, and it is the single most common reason a perfectly genuine key refuses to redeem.
Check the region on the product page
Every listing states its region. On GMarketplace the region sits next to the platform, and blocked countries are shown in a tooltip when the supplier reports them.
Know what the labels mean
Global works everywhere. ROW (Rest of World) works everywhere except a listed set of countries - usually Russia and CIS. EU works in the European Union. A country name (US, TR, IN) means only that country.
Match it to your store account
What matters is the country on your Steam, PlayStation or Microsoft account - not where you physically are, and not your IP address.
Buy the matching region
If you are in Germany, an EU or Global key is safe. A Turkish key at half the price will simply refuse to activate.
When something goes wrong
Can I use a VPN?
For activation it usually does not help - the platform reads your account country, not your IP. On Steam it can also trigger a country-change lock that freezes your wallet for months. We do not recommend it and cannot refund a key that fails this way.
The key activated but the game will not launch
Some publishers add a second, separate launch restriction. This is rare and stated on the product page when the supplier reports it.
Questions
What does ROW mean?
Rest of World - works everywhere except a specific excluded list, most often Russia and the CIS countries.
Is a region-locked key fake?
No. It is a fully genuine key, just licensed for a specific market - which is exactly why it is cheaper.
How do I see my Steam country?
Steam → Account details → Country. Changing it requires a purchase from the new country and locks region changes for a while.
Next
Still stuck? Contact support - we answer around the clock.