Cutting corners: To combat scalpers and ensure that genuine gamers have access to the latest graphics cards, Zotac has announced a new distribution strategy for Nvidia's highly sought-after GeForce RTX 5080 and 5090 models. The company is leveraging its Discord community to identify and reward loyal customers with the opportunity to purchase these coveted GPUs. The initiative, dubbed the "Priority Access Campaign," comes in response to the chaotic launch of Nvidia's RTX 5000 series. Since their release just over a week ago, these graphics cards have been virtually impossible for average consumers to obtain, with major retailers like Best Buy and Newegg selling out instantly. This scarcity has fueled a thriving resale market, where scalpers reportedly mark up prices to three times the retail value.Zotac aims to circumvent these issues by prioritizing active members of its online community. A Zotac employee, identified as Bryant, announced the campaign on the company's Discord server, emphasizing the company's commitment to rewarding "real gamers" rather than bots or scalpers.The selection process considers factors such as user engagement in discussions and participation in various challenges. To ensure fairness and prevent abuse, Zotac plans to use a combination of engagement metrics and a random number generator to select eligible buyers. The company has also issued a stern warning to potential scalpers, threatening to publicly expose anyone caught reselling GPUs obtained through this program.The campaign has already begun, with Zotac creating dedicated channels in its Discord server for distributing RTX 5080 models. One channel is currently hosting a raffle, allowing interested consumers to enter for a chance to purchase the GPU. Winners will be vetted based on their engagement history before being granted the opportunity to buy.While the initiative has been well-received by the Discord community, with users expressing gratitude for Zotac's efforts, the company has acknowledged its limited inventory. For the current round, only ten RTX 5080 cards are available, split between two models, with no RTX 5090 units in stock.Zotac's approach is not entirely unprecedented. Other companies, including Newegg and Nvidia itself, have previously employed raffle systems or direct sales programs to bypass scalpers during periods of high demand. As the clamor for RTX 5000 series GPUs continues, more manufacturers and retailers may adopt similar strategies to ensure fair distribution.