Update: The group is created and the first giveaway is underway. It's for a game that's 85% recommended from about 1300 reviews. The giveaway period is one week, so more Level 0 users are welcome to join the group (as long as they meet the criteria, see below)

The second giveaway will be for a game that's 92% recommended from 200 reviews.


Original post:
As of Feb 2015 there were 630,000 Level 0 users on SteamGifts (according to this post). I'm sure some of them have already leveled up, but among the ones who haven't there should be at least a few awesome users who simply cannot level up at this stage, for one reason or another. So here's what I'm going to do about it:

  • A week from today I'll create a Steam group and invite Level 0 users who respond to this thread, but only if they match the following criteria:
    • Can explain shortly why they haven't been able to create giveaways and when they intend to start
    • Can do one of the following:
      1. Link to a thread they created on the forum (under "Discussions"). Note: The time of the linked thread has to be prior to this thread.
      2. ...or link to a non-generic post they wrote which shows they invested some thought into it (i.e. not a 1-liner, not "ty" or "thanks"). Note: The time of the linked post has to be prior to this thread.
      3. ...or write something original that's interesting or helpful (or both). No copy paste jobs, no 1-liners. See the bottom of this post for links to some examples.
    • Won no more than 15 giveaways.
    • Has no more than 150 games in their Steam Library
  • Have an immaculate track record (no unactivated games, not negative trade feedback etc)
  • I'll then create a few giveaways specifically for this group
  • If some of these users are especially awesome, I may give them keys (outside giveaways) to help them level up
  • Note: The minimum number of participants for the group to be created is 6

Good luck!


Edit: An alternative suggestion for Level 0 fellows is to simply become Level 1. Normally you should be able to do it without spending money. See this short guide for more.

Edit 2: Farbod, Russet, Dearion, nuking, Jonser22, fubarnocaps and StockholmSyndrome are accepted. More users are welcome to join. Are you up to the challenge?

Edit 3: I added some restrictions (e.g. candidate has to have won no more than 15 games and have no more than 150 games in their library), but on the other hand made it easier to apply by adding a third option - write a new original post that's interesting or helpful.

9 years ago*

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I just happened to be browsing the forums here when StockholmSyndrome bumped this so thought I'd give my reasons.

I am a level 0 and while I'm not looking for handouts here, I'll attempt to answer your questions.

Can explain shortly why they haven't been able to create giveaways and when they intend to start

Simply, I joined this site well over a year ago when I really wanted to play Skyrim and had no other means of getting it. A friend of a friend during a discussion mentioned steamgifts. It sounded too good to be true and at first, I didn't believe the legitimacy of such a site. I entered for a few Skyrim giveaways but had no luck to win and after a bit, I kind of forgot about this because sometime around last xmas my step-brother got it and we used family sharing to take turns playing it.
I haven't made any giveaways, mainly because (again) the legitimacy of such a site didn't seem authentic at first, opportunity to scam or get hacked seemed real so I kept my distance. But I've also known more and more people who use this site over the past year so I'm not as apprehensive as I had been (maybe just a little bit still). Another reason is I go to college, I have student loans I will need to pay back, I work 25 hours a week to pay for necessities, books/tuition, and such. I don't buy very many games even for myself and most of my collection is freebies and some gifts given to me by friends or family members.
If it counts for anything, I have said to myself that if I ever do win something here that I really want to play, I will return the favor. Then again, I've only entered for Skyrim a long time ago and recently the Shadow of Mordor game that someone was giving away but had like over 5000 entries so odds were low that I'd be selected.

Can link to a thread they created on the forum, or alternatively link to a non-generic post they wrote which shows they invested some thought into it (i.e. not a 1-liner, not "ty" or "thanks", preferably something interesting or helpful). The time of the linked thread or post has to be prior to this thread.

Um, no to this question. I'm more of a lurker than participant just because I don't have much free time and so when I do have free time, I'm either playing or hanging out with friends. Right now, I'm waiting for a friend to show up for lunch and have some moments to browse/respond here since his class won't end for another 10 minutes. I'm a member of a number of gaming forums but usually I have a lurker mentality because I'm not around often enough to make my presence felt. Besides, when I have a question or need to know something, doing a search gets you the information usually so no need to create a new thread for that.
I did have a post to something non-generic recently let me see if I can link it for you....
http://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/xLbCk/risen-3-titan-lords#m2I7ZJd

I really liked that users drawings that he linked on each page of his "train" so I couldn't leave without saying something to him. Its my only post that shows in my messages section. Not sure what happened to my other posts that I have made.

Have an immaculate track record (no unactivated games, not negative trade feedback etc)

I think my record is immaculate as you say. I don't know where or how I went wrong if I did. I don't trade so that probably helps.

I think I'm done with your questions yes? My friend will be coming by soon and we have to eat before our next class at 12:10. I wrote a lot this time sorry to hurt anyones eyes if they read all of it. take care.

9 years ago
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Thank you for posting this and for going into detail. I appreciate it. Also, congrats on being the first Level 0 user to meet all criteria. I hope the group is formed, but I can already tell you that the games I'm going to give away are not the type you mentioned (but still ones with good reviews).

Ok, 3 users in, 3 more to go for the group to be created, of which 1 slot is still open with the more forgiving criteria (no need to show a thread or a post).

9 years ago
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To avoid misunderstanding as my intention here was not to bother anyone, I was not asking or expecting for any freebie giveaways when I posted in this thread initially. When I refer to Skyrim and Mordor I am only relating examples of what I seen in the past that I entered for....Skyrim in the far past and Mordor was my most recent try a few weeks ago. I know they are expensive games and atypical of the thousand other games I see on the pages here. For myself if I don't know of a game or never heard of it, I'm not interested so I don't try for it. I am mainly fan of rpgtype games so I try for them mostly. I know I will play and that is why I gave those as examples. To add more about myself, even when I play a game it is often one game at a time which even my friends make fun of me doing that. But it is ok becauses I feel it is hard to juggle more games when you are immersed in one good story based game.

Also refer to the game that is sold for .14 cents someone mentioned below. Is it a good game or a game which lots of people wish they had? If it is good or and many people want it, debate can be somewhat reversed to ask why they don't buy it themselves then for such low price and quality game? Why wait for it to be gift and entering all giveaways for it, better to buy it for that amount if you want badly right? I don't know which game it is and my intention is not to rag about it but I don't want to be level one in this way if no one honestly cares for this game and only want because it is cost very low. When, yes when, I make my first gift I want it to be good one that is valued and appreciated by winner. I want my own first gift (if it happens) to be the same way also so I can be appreciate and be very thankful of the nice gift to remember the joy in the moment. Is it wrong to think like this?
Maybe many users value the 14 cent game also and to them I apologize for my questions and casual feeling about this game.

Again, my intention is not to flame or cause trouble. I read some recent postings in this thread and some comments in that antagonism between high and low users discussions. I had second thoughts before posting here and would prefer to remain in my previous lurker mode forum member if my level makes people to have anger towards me or any level 0 for only that reason. Take care.

P.S. I missed link to your short guide yirg when I wrote here the other day. I have bookmarked it now and will read when I can for more guidance. ty.

9 years ago
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In case you missed it, I sent you an invitation to the group...

9 years ago
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I meet every criteria except for the level part. But that's okay right?

9 years ago
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Unfortunately not. At least you're already on my whitelist, so it's not like you're completely shut out ;-)

9 years ago
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You really need a 0 at the end... I can't imagine how hard it is to get there but I believe in you!

View attached image.
9 years ago
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I'll try my luck again when I reach level 10. :P

9 years ago
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That was my secret message ;)

View attached image.
9 years ago
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I fit the criteria (though I can't remember any of my few threads XD) but I'm not interested because if I cared desperately about becoming level 1 or higher I'd give away the 10 or so games sitting in my inventory already (Enslaved has been waiting for it for almost a year but it just never seems like the right time) (about 65% of my inventory are games held for my sister though)..

Still posting though just to say that I appreciate the concept and the effort you've taken/are taking Yirg. Back in the days before I could buy from Steam (about this time last year) I'd have absolutely loved this endeavour.

9 years ago
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Levels aside, can you explain why after getting a nice number of games from users on this site, you don't want to contribute any game of your own?

9 years ago
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Well the selfish reason would be cuz I've always won one of my also-ran games rather than the ones I really wanted. I've yet to win one thing on here I was actually desperate for at any time. Psychonauts would come closest I guess.

The truth is though that I definitely feel the need to contribute. However a year ago this was impossible although even back then I was contemplating finding a retail game to buy whose key I could giveaway on here. I've since purchased games (and good games, not just whatever p.o.s could be had for under $1 in any given week but stuff I would have really wanted to win before I could buy them) with the express intention of giving them away to this community but I just haven't yet for various OCD-like reasons. It just never seems like the right time and I can never make up my mind about how I actually want to do it or even which game should be first. I've even had this exact discussion with someone else before and they've given me a good bunch of advice but the stars still haven't aligned. These games have no other purpose, they'll sit in my inventory forever if I don't give them away here. I just want it to be special in some way and it's never the right moment for that, nor can I make up my mind when the time has seemed right before. Maybe it will finally be time around Christmas this year when I have more time to be involved/watch my giveaway. Maybe not.

9 years ago
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Wow. That's complex indeed. Definitely not the answer I was expecting, but good enough to take you off my non-whitelist (not sure what was the reason you were there to begin with, possibly your ratio).

I don't have anything smart to add, except for the obvious...

View attached image.
9 years ago
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Thanks. No clue why I was there either but it was indeed probably related to the ratio. Probably responded to a previous thread where you were trying to weed out the leeches or something (or someone else was and you saw it).

And yeah, I know I've gotta. But like sex I wanna be able to remember and look back fondly on my first so I really need those stars to play along and get in a straight line already.

9 years ago
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If any of these games haven't been in bundles, give them a priority before they appear in one.

Anyway, I kind of feel your pain. I have things to give and haven't been gifting much in recent years.

9 years ago
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They probably have been. I don't care about the CV/level contribution of the gifts, it's more about their value as games. Even if Steamgifts considers them worthless I'd have been super happy to get them a year ago and I hope others will be too.

9 years ago
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I think that's a good attitude. Now all you need to do is give one of them.

When I joined SG I gave away games I enjoyed and bought to gift to others even before I knew of SG. One of them was Faerie Solitaire, and it turned out that the creator of the game was already giving it away quite often. That was before the 25,000 giveaway and the days of CV, but it was still a "low value" game. Still, it was a game I enjoyed and was happy to give it.

9 years ago
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Hi, I just joined like a month ago and got into lots of giveaways, sadly I can't giveaway any games for the following reasons:
I have no money.

I am already a financial burden to my family,(school costs so much..) so I rarely(by rarely I mean once a year) ask for money to buy games.

But I tried helping the best way I could I got a key for CoH2 British Forces Trial the day I got it I gave it away in a discussion thread, I don't have the game so I taught maybe someone here would want one, so they could try it out before thinking about buying it. I either don't say thank you or say much appreciated waaay fancier ;).

9 years ago
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Fair enough. You are lucky enough to take the last slot with the more forgiving criteria. The last 2 users have to meet all requirements, but at least we have Jonser22 to show that it's possible.

Edit: If you can link to the post with the CoH2 key you can be accepted with the strict-criteria and free up the forgiving-criteria slot.

Edit 2 Found it. Cool, so that leaves 1 slot each to go. In other words, of the two Level 0 users needed for the group to be created, one is exempt from linking to a good thread or post they created on this forum.

9 years ago*
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What's wrong with you OP?
First you make topic name to be a bloody bait one, then you do public shaming of users: "... can you explain why after getting a nice number of games from users on this site, you don't want to contribute any game of your own?"
Why you assume he doesn't WAN'T TO? Maybe he is poor and he can't. Why is this crap not closed yet?

And sure i don't really like leecheers myself... and when i don't want them to enter my particular GA i have proper tools for it (level ga and blacklist). But baiting and then shaming is just a scummy way to do things :/

9 years ago*
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Nice to take things out of context. He is the only user I asked this question, and only after he wrote that he has 10 games sitting in his inventory, so obviously being poor is not the reason. He explained the real reason very nicely if you bothered to read.

Really, why don't you ask him (SCHUMI4EVER) if he feels the question was shaming or offensive? You are also welcome to ask other users.

9 years ago
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you should do for lvl 1. lvl 0 are just a crap people that don't want spend 0.14$ to giveaway one game. the lvl 0 people don't should have 300 points to spend.

9 years ago
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Hmm... You're just mean here you know.
Also, you made your first giveaway 3 MONTHS after registered, so you were a "crap people" for 3 months too, and you know what ? That's NOT a big deal ! They are thousand of reasons why people don't do a giveaway like day one of register. Understand how Steamgift, and more important Steam works is not obvious AT ALL ! Also, if you never win anything, It's understandable you don't want to do a giveaway at first. Finally you can simply visit the site from time to time, win a game or two and simply come back sporadically.
You probably had a bad experience with lvl 0 people, but that doesn't give you the right to considerate all this people like shit.
Being nice, that the first rule of a good community, you should try.

9 years ago
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well the problem it's if you enter each day here and see the levels of giveaways you see arround 80% are level 0.

you see arround 10% of level 0 users try to regift for win a level up.
you see a lot of level 0 people entering to giveaway and don't play the game.

and yes i was level 0 during some months, but before that i never know about that web during more than 4 years.also my giveaway aren't from bundles like 80% of people do.
however now that i know that only spend 0.14$ you can be level 1, this web should restrict in someway the level 0 users.

if you can't spend 0.14$ to giveaway, you don't should have the same rights/benefits than a level 1 user.
the same way i think a level 10 user should have more benefits than level 1 for example. (rest of levels no need any benefits)

i hate when i see level 0 users whit 1++ years old and whit 20-70 games won.

9 years ago
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Deleted

This comment was deleted 7 years ago.

9 years ago
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You sure do meet the requirements, and thanks a lot for for sharing. Normally a private profile would be an issue becuase it's not possible to check for unactivated wins, but since you haven't won anything it doesn't really matter.

In any case I hope I'll be able to help you confront your fear-of-winning by inviting you to the group. 16% chance of winning is relatively high, but still low enough to be unintimidating...

Now we just need one more user to make it happen.

9 years ago
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Hi,

I need to be able to see your library to select the game (I want it to be one that none of the group members have). Unfortunately your profile is set to Private. Please either set it to Public or to Friends-only (and accept my friend request).

Thanks!

9 years ago
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Will do! I can't guarantee that I will enter giveaway though...

9 years ago
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I'm still getting "This profile is private"...

9 years ago
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Group invite sent :-)

9 years ago
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Hey, me again :)
So I thought a lot about your 2 posts and the story of peoples here, and like you title here : http://www.steamgifts.com/discussion/cVY8v/getting-to-level-1-without-spending-money-a-short-simple-guide No more excuse !
So I'm super happy to announce you (and anyone who read this) that i just created my very first giveaway here : http://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/XaHVp/cafe-0-the-drowned-mermaid
Thanks for the little reminder I need for doing it :)

9 years ago
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Way to go! I think you're going to like it and I'm glad my posts helped. Hopefully others follows.

BTW, there's a good chance that you'll be Level 1 when I create the group, but your "membership" in the group is safe. You earned it. I just hope the last slot is occupied so that I can go ahead with it. It hasn't been easy to recruit so far...

9 years ago
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same here :) as promised I made my first giveaway and now i'm a lvl one ^_^
thanx for inspiring us :3

9 years ago
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Have a bump :)

9 years ago
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Very interesting. I want to join too because there's no way I'll ever level up anyway.

9 years ago
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Well, the rules are in the first post. You can always try to apply if you think you meet the criteria.

9 years ago
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Any more candidates? We need one more to create the group, but of course more are welcome (as long as they meet the criteria).

9 years ago
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Free Bump :)

9 years ago
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I am new toSteamgifts, but appreciate what you are trying to do, and good information for the noobs like me.
Thanks! :)

9 years ago
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You can have a bump, because you are a nice guy and all. I hope it works out. I might have a spare key or two if you need some.

9 years ago
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Have a bump for an awesome idea, I hope it will work .... before the four users you got, level up.
I am not sure if I already spammed this link in one of your threads or GAs :)

9 years ago
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None of the users have to worry about leveling up. Their slot is secure. If anything, I'd like to encourage more Level 0 users to level up.

I liked the linked movie-game and have just added a post. I'm not entering the giveaway because I already have the game (and guess what, I haven't played it yet).

9 years ago
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It makes me kind of sad, that only 4 users qualify.

I had the idea for the movie link after talking to a friend about Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon and the Oracle of Bacon the other day.
I like the result until now and saw a couple of movies in the list, I have to (re)watch.

9 years ago
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I would like to enter said group. Would be pretty awesome if I meet the criteria! Thanks aswell for what you are doing, I appreciate it. It's nice to try help the community. Keep the good work up. <3
↳ Reason of lvl 0. I'm not able to create giveaways (though, I would like to, also have tried with Lucius but of course SteamGifts removed it as the giveaway started) because I'm short on money and whenever I have some I spend them on whatever I am able to afford at the moment, especially specials at the store. And sometimes I keep what I get for trading.
↳ Thoughtful Forum Post which is inactive after trading few games I had. http://www.steamgifts.com/trade/07z8N/h-steam-keys-leftovers-w-painkiller-black-edition-100-orange-juice-offers
↳ No negative trading feedback or unnactive games

9 years ago*
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Thanks for applying. Regarding a forum post I was referring to Discussions, sorry for not making this clear enough. The trades are a different thing, though if you have a forum-like post from a thread I may be able to bend the rules. Of course if there's anything under /discussion/ that fits the description it would be even better.

9 years ago
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May I be able to create one? I really really want to join.

9 years ago
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Unfortunately the date of the post has to be prior to this thread... in any case it's a good idea to start participating in discussions. The community here is truly awesome!

As a consolation I can tell you that by following this guide you can most likely level up without spending money, and thus get access to many more giveaways, improving your odds of winning significantly. Good luck!

9 years ago
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Alright then. Thanks again for what you're doing for the community. Have a great day.

9 years ago
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I added a third option which maybe you can meet by creating a new post. See the first post for details.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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I'm not a big fan of thread with non-informative titles, let alone ones with deliberately misleading ones. Still, others don't seem to have an issue with it, so I'll let it slide. Invite sent. (note by mistake I sent you two invites, one is for a group that's no longer active).

9 years ago
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Pick me!

I am level 0, and I lurk the forums.

I haven't done any giveaways yet, just dropped few keys here. I've been willing to create some, but I haven't got the time to think enough for a great puzzle. So, hopefully soon.

And here is something interesting in a comment:

9 years ago
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You're in! :-)

Note that giveaways are perfectly welcome even without puzzles. There's no need to set the bar too high, otherwise you'll never get to it (and with 38:0 ratio it's about time...)

Tomorrow ends the week I gave until the group creation and I'm glad to see there are enough recruits to make it happen. If any other Level 0 user is interested to join, it's not late to do so.

9 years ago
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Got to creating some giveaways this month. So, thanks for the incentive.

9 years ago
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Wow! That's quite a giveaway streak you've done there. I'm happy that at least one good thing came out of this initiative :-)

9 years ago
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Update: The group is created and the first giveaway is underway. It's for a game that's 85% recommended from about 1300 reviews. The giveaway period is one week, so more Level 0 users are welcome to join the group (as long as they meet the criteria).

The second giveaway will be for a game that's 92% recommended from 200 reviews.

9 years ago
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D: I just barely don't qualify. I've won 16 giveaways...

9 years ago
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I can bend the rules if you meet the rest of the criteria :-)

9 years ago
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Sadly I am level 1 and seems kinda new to this forum.
Anyway , the guides you shared are good , going to take a look and level up some more .

Thank you

9 years ago
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Man... After reading the description again, I have to say you're just too awesome :)

9 years ago
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Closed 8 years ago by Yirg.