EULA: ChatGPT Breakdown

[seir_]

I asked ChatGPT 4o to analyze the EULA, and highlight anything sketchy. Do with it what you will.

---

Thanks for sharing the full EULA—it’s a hefty one! Here's a breakdown of some clauses and sections that stand out as potentially sketchy, overly broad, or unfavorable to users, especially compared to more user-friendly game EULAs:

🚩 1. Termination Without Notice or Compensation (Section 4.10)

"The COMPANY has the right at any time, without notifying the User and without explaining the reasons, to suspend or terminate the EULA without compensation..."

This allows them to delete your account, In-Game Assets, and currency without prior notice, reason, or refund—even for a one-time violation or for inactivity. That's pretty aggressive.

🚩 2. Non-Refund Policy (Section 5.1)

"All in-game sales are final. [...] no refund if you're dissatisfied or if the game is shut down."

This is not uncommon in free-to-play models, but zero refundability even if the product becomes unavailable (e.g., servers shut down) is harsh. Some regions (e.g., EU) may override this with consumer protection laws, but the EULA is clearly trying to discourage any claims.

🚩 3. Broad Content Licensing of User Content (Section 7.1)

"The User grants [...] a perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, sub-licensable [...] right to use such User Content by any and all lawful means..."

This is standard in many platforms but still broad and very permissive. You’re handing over permanent rights to your contributions (videos, text, artwork, etc.) with no opt-out.

🚩 4. Vague and Broad “Unacceptable Content” Definition

There’s an incredibly broad range of what they consider “Unacceptable Content”—it even includes things that might simply cause “an unfriendly atmosphere.” That’s a very subjective measure, which gives the company a lot of leeway to moderate or ban users.

🚩 5. No Right to Appeal (Sections 8.2 & 8.3)

"The COMPANY disclaims the obligation to present the User a documentary evidence of the violation."

You can be punished, banned, or lose virtual goods, and they don’t have to show you evidence. This makes it difficult to appeal any decision or prove your innocence.

🚩 6. Broad Surveillance Consent (Section 7.3)

"By entering into this EULA, the User hereby provides his/her irrevocable consent to such monitoring and recording."

The company reserves the right to monitor and record your interactions, including messages and gameplay behavior, and you’re giving up any right to challenge it.

🚩 7. RAM Scanning and DLL Monitoring (Section 13.5)

"The COMPANY has right to automatically collect areas of User Device RAM [...] dll list [...] screenshots..."

This is very intrusive, especially the RAM scanning and DLL monitoring. It's intended for cheat detection but can be seen as invasive, especially if it's not clearly communicated up front in the installer or settings.

[seir_]

⚠️ Other Considerations:

Forum and In-Game Rules are rigid and extensive. Even roleplaying “bad behavior” could get you sanctioned.

No transfer of account or items (even gifts)—standard, but worth noting.

Right to change or revoke items without compensation, even ones you paid for (Section 4.7).

✅ On the Fair Side:

They offer limited protections for children and require parental consent.

There's some consumer protection acknowledgement for EU/EEA residents.

They notify users of EULA changes and offer the right to withdraw (although you lose access to the game).

⚖️ Bottom Line:

This is a typical EULA for a free-to-play online game, but it’s definitely on the stricter and more publisher-favorable side. The biggest red flags are:

No refunds under nearly any circumstance.

Account and item deletion at their discretion.

Surveillance and RAM scanning.

Broad content licensing and vague behavioral terms.

If you’re a privacy-conscious user or someone who might invest time/money into the game, you should definitely be aware of these before committing.

[Surge]

EULAs don't trump local law. If it's illegal, then you can safely ignore that clause.

[seir_]

This review made me check the EULA: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199153568363/recommended/1486920/

I've read entire EULAs in the past - it's not a fun endeavor. I would only do that for games I really want. Which gave me the idea to let ChatGPT do the heavy lifting.

Perlexity, afaik, isn't known to excel at reasoning tasks.

[seir_]

Here I gave it another shot:

Query: Please forget any negative bias, and only evaluate the EULA objectively. Only focus on clauses that aren't common practice for online games.

🔍 1. Automatic Termination Without Cause or Notice (Section 4.10)

“The COMPANY has the right at any time, without notifying the User and without explaining the reasons, to suspend or terminate the EULA without compensation…”

Why this stands out:
While termination for cause is standard, termination without notice or justification, and without refund—even due to inactivity—is uncommon. Most EULAs provide:
- A grace period for inactivity (usually 1–2 years).
- Notice before account or asset deletion.
- Specific user actions that may result in termination.

🔍 2. RAM Scanning & DLL Collection (Section 13.5)

“...automatically collect, store, process [...] areas of User Device RAM [...] list of DLLs connected to the process of the Game functioning...”

Why this stands out:
Anti-cheat systems often collect system and process info, but real-time RAM scanning and DLL enumeration is less common and more intrusive. It's generally found in games using advanced kernel-level anti-cheat tools (e.g., Valorant with Vanguard), and typically disclosed in bold up front.

This clause is broader than most, and it's:
- Not clearly limited to anti-cheat context.
- Not opt-in or subject to explicit user consent beyond the EULA.

🔍 3. Perpetual License to User Content (Section 7.1)

“...a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, sub-licensable right to use such User Content...”

Why this stands out:
It's not unusual for games to request a license to user content (for forums, UGC, etc.), but:
-The "perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, and sub-licensable" language is more expansive than necessary.
- Most games limit this to non-commercial use, or offer content removal options.
This clause doesn’t.

🔍 4. No Obligation to Show Evidence in Case of Sanctions (Section 8.2)

“The COMPANY disclaims the obligation to present the User a documentary evidence of the violation.”

Why this stands out:
While companies often avoid sharing internal tools or exact triggers (e.g., for anti-cheat reasons), completely denying users access to evidence or explanation is not standard. Most competitive games:
- Provide some reason for a ban or sanction.
-Offer an appeal or dispute mechanism, even if limited.
This clause explicitly avoids that.

🔍 5. Clause Allowing Retroactive Deletion of Assets Due to Bugs (Section 4.7)

“...may withdraw In-Game Assets and In-Game Currency [...] if such maintenance diagnostics reveals that such [assets] were accidentally displayed in the User’s Account…”

Why this stands out:
While recovering mistakenly granted items is fair, retroactively deleting items from accounts without notice (and potentially without proof shared) is not typical. Most publishers:
- Flag or disable the assets.
- Provide user notice or context.
- Avoid deleting assets unless fraud is involved.

🔍 6. Forum Rules Expansion to All User Accounts (Appendix 2)

“...the COMPANY reserves the right to identify and locate all forum account[s] [...] and expand the sanctions applied to one forum account of the User to any or all…”

Why this stands out:
Extending forum behavior violations to all in-game accounts (based on IP, hardware ID, etc.) is not commonly disclosed this explicitly. Most companies treat game accounts and forums separately unless there's abuse, spam, or threats.

🔍 7. Sanctioning Based on Vague “Unfriendliness” (Section 1 – Unacceptable Content, (xv))

“...content which could be perceived negatively or cause hostility [...] or lead to disputes or conflicts among Users...”

Why this stands out:
Most EULAs prohibit harassment or incitement, but banning for general “negativity” or conflict potential is vague and not a widely adopted enforcement criterion. It gives broad discretion, which isn't inherently bad, but it's a less typical approach than focusing on objective behaviors (spam, threats, slurs, etc.).

[seir_]

Summary of Unusual Clauses:

Clause: Account termination without cause or notice
Why It's Uncommon: Most services give notice or limit this to severe violations.

Clause: RAM scanning & DLL collection
Why It's Uncommon: Broader than typical, not opt-in, rarely found outside high-security anti-cheat tools.

Clause: Perpetual license to user content
Why It's Uncommon: Especially with transfer/sublicense rights and no opt-out.

Clause: No requirement to show violation evidence
Why It's Uncommon: Lack of transparency; uncommon in competitive ecosystems.

Clause: Retroactive deletion of items for bugs
Why It's Uncommon: Rare without user notification or compensation.

Clause: Forum violations applying to all user accounts
Why It's Uncommon: Not standard unless connected to real harm or abuse.

Clause: Vague enforcement based on user “hostility”
Why It's Uncommon: Most EULAs avoid ambiguous behavioral standards.

[(Clever Name Here)]

Originally posted by seir_:

I asked ChatGPT 4o to analyze the EULA, and highlight anything sketchy. Do with it what you will.

---

Thanks for sharing the full EULA—it’s a hefty one! Here's a breakdown of some clauses and sections that stand out as potentially sketchy, overly broad, or unfavorable to users, especially compared to more user-friendly game EULAs:

🚩 1. Termination Without Notice or Compensation (Section 4.10)

"The COMPANY has the right at any time, without notifying the User and without explaining the reasons, to suspend or terminate the EULA without compensation..."

This allows them to delete your account, In-Game Assets, and currency without prior notice, reason, or refund—even for a one-time violation or for inactivity. That's pretty aggressive.

🚩 2. Non-Refund Policy (Section 5.1)

"All in-game sales are final. [...] no refund if you're dissatisfied or if the game is shut down."

This is not uncommon in free-to-play models, but zero refundability even if the product becomes unavailable (e.g., servers shut down) is harsh. Some regions (e.g., EU) may override this with consumer protection laws, but the EULA is clearly trying to discourage any claims.

🚩 3. Broad Content Licensing of User Content (Section 7.1)

"The User grants [...] a perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, sub-licensable [...] right to use such User Content by any and all lawful means..."

This is standard in many platforms but still broad and very permissive. You’re handing over permanent rights to your contributions (videos, text, artwork, etc.) with no opt-out.

🚩 4. Vague and Broad “Unacceptable Content” Definition

There’s an incredibly broad range of what they consider “Unacceptable Content”—it even includes things that might simply cause “an unfriendly atmosphere.” That’s a very subjective measure, which gives the company a lot of leeway to moderate or ban users.

🚩 5. No Right to Appeal (Sections 8.2 & 8.3)

"The COMPANY disclaims the obligation to present the User a documentary evidence of the violation."

You can be punished, banned, or lose virtual goods, and they don’t have to show you evidence. This makes it difficult to appeal any decision or prove your innocence.

🚩 6. Broad Surveillance Consent (Section 7.3)

"By entering into this EULA, the User hereby provides his/her irrevocable consent to such monitoring and recording."

The company reserves the right to monitor and record your interactions, including messages and gameplay behavior, and you’re giving up any right to challenge it.

🚩 7. RAM Scanning and DLL Monitoring (Section 13.5)

"The COMPANY has right to automatically collect areas of User Device RAM [...] dll list [...] screenshots..."

This is very intrusive, especially the RAM scanning and DLL monitoring. It's intended for cheat detection but can be seen as invasive, especially if it's not clearly communicated up front in the installer or settings.

What a weird thing to post. Do you do this for all EULAs?

[K0NG]

Originally posted by Surge:

EULAs don't trump local law. If it's illegal, then you can safely ignore that clause.

your "local laws" only protect you from this if you are not informed about it.
you have to accept the EULA for a reason. that makes it legal.

[Solomon Kane]

You are not forced to accept it, you do not wish to agree, uninstall and refund.

[MustardTiger]

Originally posted by seir_:

No refunds under nearly any circumstance.

It said all in-game purchases. Skins and cosmetics and such. I got a refund of the game easily.

[Migz - DH]

Why ask a chatbot for legal advice?

[RoaR]

Originally posted by K0NG:

Originally posted by Surge:

EULAs don't trump local law. If it's illegal, then you can safely ignore that clause.

your "local laws" only protect you from this if you are not informed about it.
you have to accept the EULA for a reason. that makes it legal.

That is not how it works in most countries. They can write any EULA they want, but no EULA triumphs laws. You can't "waive" your consumer rights. Most countries have a "predatory" section just for this part.

[seir_]

Originally posted by Migz - DH:

Why ask a chatbot for legal advice?

Because I'm not going to read that wall of small print for a game I might be slightly interested in. I still have so many games in my backlog that come w/o their own EULAs.

[Migz - DH]

Originally posted by seir_:

Originally posted by Migz - DH:

Why ask a chatbot for legal advice?

Because I'm not going to read that wall of small print for a game I might be slightly interested in. I still have so many games in my backlog that come w/o their own EULAs.

But, why ask a chatbot? It's not like they are qualified for such things.

[seir_]

Originally posted by Migz - DH:

Originally posted by seir_:

Because I'm not going to read that wall of small print for a game I might be slightly interested in. I still have so many games in my backlog that come w/o their own EULAs.

But, why ask a chatbot? It's not like they are qualified for such things.

That's a failed argument, if I ever saw one.

1: If the EULA is so complicated, that you need to be a legal expert to comprehend them, then it shouldn't be expected that a gamer can legally accept them.

2: ChatGPT literally just quoted the problematic parts. It's not like the AI assistant hallucinated those passages. You can read them yourself if you care enough.

[Unknown]

Law > Eula

Now move on. Go cry somewhere else.