[GI] New Terms & Conditions

Hi Darkorbit

I was wondering if I could get some clarification over the new T&C's I just accepted on entry into the game:

for those that missed the link and just accepted please click here
https://legal.bigpoint.com/US/terms-and-conditions/en


1- Multiple Accounts -------------------------------

Registration

• 1) For each Game, unless otherwise permitted, you may establish only one (1) account. Bigpoint reserves the right to monitor any effort to establish multiple accounts for a Game. In the event Bigpoint discovers that you have opened more than one (1) account in violation of these Terms of Service and the respective additional terms and conditions mentioned under Sec. 4.1, Bigpoint may terminate any and/or all of these accounts.

Code of Conduct

• Violation of the prohibition of multi-accounts if stipulated in the respective Game’s rules;

Many of us have multiple accounts, I can name 2 people in particular on the GB1 server that might find this point interesting.

1. Are we allowed to have "multiple Accounts/ Noob Accounts"?

2- Banned but have multiple Accounts-----------

Registration

• 4) If Bigpoint disables your account for a Game, you will not create another one for that same Game without our written permission.
• 10) You shall not have an account, use the Games, or use the Site if you have previously been removed by Bigpoint, or previously been banned from playing any of the Games.

As you can see from the above sections of the new T&C's this can cause issues when used with point 1 above with multiple accounts

1. If Darkorbit do actually allow multiple accounts how will they monitor second accounts in accordance to these T&C's?
2. would a user who has been banned for some reason or other not be instantly banned on the second account?
3. Why does darkorbit not allow if thats the case the accounts be linked to show they are owned by the same user?

3- Harassing, threatening,-----------------------------

Code of Conduct

• Harassing, threatening, stalking, or abusing any person; or
• Engaging in any other conduct that restricts or inhibits any other person from using or enjoying the Site, or which, in the sole discretion of Bigpoint, exposes Bigpoint or any of its customers or suppliers to any liability or detriment of any type

Being a witness to sed items and in some cases been the receiving party;

1. how will Big point be following this area?
2. Where are the guidelines to what will happen based up on this T&C?
3. Also will the "resulting action" be consistent?

as on multiple occasions it has been bought to light some have "firmer/Stronger Actions" taken where as others get a slap on the wrist.
and yet.....

• Posting material that is unlawful, obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, abusive, slanderous, hateful, or embarrassing to any other person or entity as determined by Bigpoint in its sole discretion or pursuant to local community standards. Bigpoint takes no responsibility for monitoring such content or in evaluating it;

Big point then refuses in another line to take no responsibility for it??????? so....

1. what's the point in the code of conduct?

4- “Hacking,” “Cracking,” ----------------------------

• “Hacking,” “Cracking,” or otherwise attempting to circumvent any copyright protection, access control, or license-enforcement mechanisms associated with or related to the Site or any Game;

I understand the Above T&C is versatile to cover alot of areas but in terms of Darkorbit;

1. will this also be based around the "Hacking/Conning" of accounts?
2. and what will be the actions and "required actions from the Victim" to help retrieve the account?

Many of us have witnessed or seen the victims of "hacked/Conned" accounts struggling to ascertain help from Darkorbit and feel a stronger area of help is needed in support for those that have fell victim.

5-Sold/Bought Accounts---------------------------

Registration

• 9) You are not allowed to sell or in any way transfer your account.

1. Some clearer guidelines around this please, what are the results/Actions taken?

Summary------------------

I find these new Terms and conditions extremely Vague and open to suggestion and rewording, if to coin a term "loop holey" can we please get some general understanding on what Bigpoint/Darkorbit will and will not be doing with our "leased" accounts and what they will do to help all the players in the game that have fell foul of "Crakers/Hackers/Abusers/Bot usage" and be clearer on actions taken before and after.

thanks

 

Hello ĐΛRKHØRSΞ™,

Yes, in DarkOrbit multiple accounts is permitted. As it reads "For each Game, unless otherwise permitted, you may establish only one (1) account." In Darkorbit, it is allowed

1. Will pass on this as multiple accounts are allowed, and as to how it may be monitored - for us mods at least, it's manual (and thus we do not catch everything)
2. Generally if a user is suspended on one account, we do not prevent them from returning on another. That isn't to say there haven't been unfortunate cases where some users have engaged in such a constant anti-social and abusive nature that resulted in more than one account sanctioned.
However, with regards to chat bans; if a user receives a chat ban and returns to chat on another account to circumvent that ban, they will be issued a ban for using a "chat account".
3. I would have to say that this is essentially for the worst abusers. Continuing to do so may result in all accounts being sanctioned if truly necessary.

If this behavior is taking place within the game, we do have a harassment policy detailed >here<
If you are experiencing harassment, all we ask is that you report it to us, or to support, with screenshots and whom is involved so we can investigate and be sure to best review what is going on. Unfortunately we missing things, or aren't clued in to what may really going on - however, we also need to prove and be able to establish what is going on so we can deal with harassment issues. This isn't a fast process, and can take some time as harassment is an ongoing issue - and unfortunately can involve more than one or two users.

Bigpoint may not be required to actively monitor what is said in chat/messages/forums by those Terms, but that doesn't mean negative behavior is permitted. If a user were to be behaving in such an unbecoming manner, they could still receive a ban, or suspension, as it is against the Terms.
At the end of the day though, Bigpoint isn't responsible for what any one of us might do. However, that doesn't mean it is a free-for-all and won't result in any actions being taken if their Terms are breached

Do you mean when an account is stolen or compromised (ie "someone logged in and sold all my items" situation)? What DarkOrbit can do in these situations can be limited legally. With stolen accounts, I know support has a form they send out now that requests a myriad of information that is absolutely required for them to be able to be able to engage in further action. They have to have all their ducks in a row as to ensure they aren't handing reigns of an account to the wrong user, or, hopefully to one who is not being entirely honest.

However, there are those who engage in buying/selling/sharing/trading/gifting of accounts, and things go horribly wrong. Whether the account gets cleaned out, or stolen entirely, these users have violated the Terms & Conditions and opened themselves up to a serious security risk. Ultimately these users have violated the Terms, and may find that what can be done to assist them is minimal to nil due to the breach of T&Cs.

If found & clear, the account may be terminated. I understand there are instances that seem very clear to the community, but the evidence needed isn't necessarily there or clear enough for actions to be taken. These situations are just as frustrating to the higher ups & support as it is to you, but unfortunately they have to ensure all the evidence is clear and available before an account can be closed and then the decision be maintained legally.


I hope that might help to answer some of your questions with the T&Cs. Though as a disclaimer, I am no legal expert for how all the legal stuff may ultimately affect things D;

Regards,

 

Hi Solid eye, thank you for the reply and this was an interesting read.

I appreciate the time to cover the "loop holes" in the T&Cs when referring to bigpoint and then Darkorbit as they seem to contradict each other.

Will Darkorbit be updating the Terms and conditions to align to the new changes from big point?

thanks again

DH

 

Hello,

You're welcome

I haven't heard anything about any changes to the T&Cs at this point, so I can't say as to when or if the T&Cs might next update. Bigpoint's general T&Cs I would have to say are there to generally lay the groundwork for their games.

Regards,

 

I have to say, that was the most interesting read I have possibly ever had.

 

closing -> no response from op.