Two (three!) interesting things from today's EULA change (AFK ban, age 18+ now, inactive account deletions)

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So I know none of us ever read the EULA/TOS before we start to play new updates, but there were two changes here I thought it might be worth pointing out:

Section 2.1 sets the age of player consent for Gaijin games, including War Thunder, from 18, up from 16 in the previous TOS you signed. Below that you need to be able to say you have parental consent to play and participate if asked.

Section 3.11 adds a new provision permitting Gaijin to delete player accounts, with prior notice, if they’ve been inactive for more than three years (there was previously no stated limit).

I’d be a fan of this last one, if it could help free up some taken-but-unused player and clan names. Probably also would cut down on the numbers of accounts out there for possible resale, too.

Anyway, just two new rules to follow there that could affect some people. (Link to what you signed)

(EDIT: The three-year delete rule actually came in with the fall, 2023 EULA. It wasn’t in the spring, 2023 EULA, missed that before. The 18+ thing is still new to the 2025 EULA.)

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If I can speculate, this is presumably a reaction to recent EU laws regarding consumer protection and gambling and premium currencies.

Definitely makes me feel like CYA from EU in this case.

Bit disappointing if my speculation is correct for the first one (rather than improve consumer friendly rating, they exclude teenagers.)

(alternatively, it might be due to being headquartered in Hungary and being afraid of Hungary accusing Warthunder of being a threat to children because there’s players and squadrons that may talk about evil western ideologies (see my own squadron name.) There’s been a recent series of laws and constitutional modifications (alaptörvény - foundational law - I call it constitution for ease of recognition) that had my government tighten down on protecting ‘sovereignty’ and ‘culture’.)

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Yeah, I actually went over it fairly well before agreeing to it, just to see what was changed . . . popping that in there after a long awaited Update finally dropped . … just made me curious. I knew some things had to have been changed.

I picked up on both of those changes as well. The age thing I don’t mind and it was changed to 16 a good while back iirc. But they still have the “out” in there with “parental consent” . . . that way if anything does go South, can always blame the parents . . . lol . . . I jest, but you get it I imagine.

As for cleaning up “dead accounts”, I personally have no issue with that.
I mean Gaijin makes note of “Over 71 Million Accounts!” . . . I am sure the vast majority of them are dead by now . . . but who knows for sure?

At any rate, if that 71 mil number gets dropped to say . . . . 70 million . . . I would say that’s a miracle!! . . . . ain’t nobody got time for that. . . but it is nice to have an option . . . legal and all that.

So both moves make sense to me and do not seem “drastic” or dire at face value.

Just the way of the world to me . . . stuff changes . .
and so do people and what they do

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The other one I didn’t mention earlier but I thought was fun was “remaining inactive (“AFK”) during a game”. I think that’s the first time that’s been specifically called out as a punishable offense. (Annex 1, para 2).

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“Passive behavior” has always been against the Rules. The thing is that it is very difficult to prove and is not what a vast majority of the player base believe it to be.
But yes, they have “re-worded” a few parts of the Rules it seems.
“Political” issues have been made to sound more serious than in the past, and that too is . . . understandable . . . . .

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Inactive Gameplay and Deliberate Losing . Deliberately remaining inactive during a match (i.e., being “AFK”) or taking actions that lead to a loss, such as wandering around the map without completing objectives or avoiding engagement with opponents.

I wonder if this can be more reliably invoked to shut down people in Air Simulator mode who agree not to shoot each other so the enemy team can bomb bases and airfields unimpeded and they can do the same in exchange.

Giving up objectives without making an effort to protect them (and in fact berating teammates who try to protect said objectives) qualifies as deliberate losing, no?

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Technically no… here’s the previous (edit: Spring 2023) matching paragraph:

6.1. The following behavior constitutes unsporting conduct and is explicitly prohibited hereunder:

6.1.1. Damaging a member of your team in a Game including the following:

a) killing (destroying) or damaging a teammate (if technically possible in a Game);

b) intentionally blocking teammate’s movements (propping up, pushing out, blocking the passage/driveways).

(snip)

6.1.4. Other actions that violate the principle of fair play.

The words “passive” or “inactive” or “AFK” didn’t appear previously.

The current equivalent section (again snipping out the no hacks/bots bit, came into effect Fall 2023):

Playing our Game(s) means playing fairly. The following behaviors are considered unsporting conduct and are strictly prohibited under Section 2 of the Game Rules.

Griefing. Causing harm to teammates, also known as “friendly fire,” includes but is not limited to inflicting damage to teammates’ vehicles or parts, destroying teammates’ vehicles or parts, or disorienting teammates.

Blocking Teammates. Intentionally blocking teammates’ movement, such as propping them up, pushing them out, or obstructing passages and driveways.

(snip)

Inactive Gameplay and Deliberate Losing. Deliberately remaining inactive during a match (i.e., being “AFK”) or taking actions that lead to a loss, such as wandering around the map without completing objectives or avoiding engagement with opponents.

Fair Play Violations. Any other behavior that violates the spirit of fair play.

I know it has been on the player reporting drop down menu for a while, but it was never explicitly in the actual ToS rules.

EDIT: Did a little deeper dive, the inactive game play and the inactive account deletions were from the last EULA update in fall, 2023. The 18+ was still new. I was looking at the spring, 2023 EULA before.

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Also interesting how they phrase it, btw: “taking actions that lead to a loss.” So if the game was already clearly lost, in Gaijin’s view are you still allowed to try to hide to survive, I wonder?

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I wouldn’t want them deleting accounts that have previously made purchases in the Gaijin store. People will sometimes come back to a game after many years. Heck, I made this account in 2012, got to MiG-9, and then didn’t come back until 2018. If my account was deleted in that period, I’d probably not bothered.

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So then they should remove the “Useful Actions” mechanic. Why punish people for going AFK when your system is actively pushing for AFK.

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If the game is 18+ now, does that means psuedo death references like “unconscious” could be changed to “killed”? Also kamikaze planes (enlisted has lunge AT mine which is pretty much the same thing)

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18+ actually good change. They can now add blood/gore and other mature themes now that this is a adult rated game. Would also go in line with the recent infantry leaks if they are true.

Why does EULA include AFK? Also the deleting accounts one is just outrageous. It should only apply to accounts that haven’t spent money on this game. Even if it was a single $, why do this? Returning players will obviously just leave which is bad business & consumer practice.

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So before the eula change whenever a tank changed color and caught fire after getting shot the crew was all actually just taking a nap?

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Exactly 😂

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Yup.

That is way it says stuff like “commander unconcious” after they take a 75mm AP to the face.

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Yeah…I have no idea how 120mm shells go through a person’s head and that person becomes “unconscious” though.

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I wonder if it’s safer to purchase premium packs from Steam (I did for the F-4S), since EVEN IF the WT account got deleted you still have those packs binded to your Steam account as DLCs.

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Hmmmm… Interesting can of worms.

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I’ve gone back and done a summary of all significant changes from the last EULA/TOS (September 2023). As mentioned in edits above, I initially was comparing to the April 2023 EULA/TOS, so I mentioned some things that were actually added in September, 2023 that I’d never actually noticed before this (the 3-year delete and AFK rules specifically).

Here’s the actual list of all the changes we all just agreed to:

  • Para 1.1: Services are provided by Gaijin Network Ltd in Cyprus unless specifically indicated otherwise that they are instead with Gaijin Distribution Kft in Hungary. Previously this said when services were “directly to the user” they were always Cyprus and when “via third party platforms” it was always Hungary.

  • Para 1.1: Definition of “game” expanded to include “DLC, expansions, updates or any other content” under a EULA, “whether accessed by digital download, physical media, or other distribution.” That last bit allows them to extend this same EULA to subscription services in future, potentially.

  • Para 1.1: Definition of “Services” expanded to include “content, data or information provided through their platforms, including user-generated content, promotional materials and updates… whether now known or developed in the future.”

  • Para 1.1: Definition of “Website” expanded to include “any subdomains, mobile versions or other online platforms” associated with Services, including “official landing pages or other digital properties” that provide Gaijin info, products or services.

  • Para 2.1: Services are not offered to users who are “under 18 or have not reached the age of majority” without parental consent, this is a change from “under 16” before.

  • Para 4.8: New para on user-created content, tying the TOS more clearly to the Guidelines for Content Creators, and stating users must “clearly indicate” that any game content they create has not been approved or endorsed by Gaijin.

  • Para 7.5: New lengthy section on Subscriptions, defined as services offered “subject to automatic billing at predetermined intervals.” Suggests they may be looking at a new model for selling premium time (or even getting away from F2P, but I’d say that’s pretty unlikely).

  • Para 11.5-11.9: New legal clarifications (All pretty standard stuff the lawyers probably added that should have been there before):
    –This EULA/TOS supersedes all previous EULA/TOS (used to be “the last one you agreed to”)
    –Force Majeure (natural disasters etc. are not our fault) clause
    –“Failure to exercise Gaijin’s rights doesn’t mean they’ve waived them” clause
    –“No third-party rights” clause (ie after you’re dead your inheritors have no rights to your account vis a vis Gaijin)
    –“Gaijin’s rights to IP, etc. still survive if they kick you out” clause

  • Para 12.3.1: Disputes by users outside US/Can/Australia are to only be referred to the Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre (used to be the EC Online Dispute Resolution platform OR a Cyprus court)

  • Para 12.5: Any claims or disputes must be filed within one year of the cause of action unless the law states otherwise (no expiry date was stated before)

  • Para 12.6: Any details of arbitration settlements are confidential (not stated before)

  • Annex 1 (Code of Conduct): no significant changes

  • Annex 2, Para 1.1.1: If a game is playable without a client device, you are entitled to one copy of the Game at one time. (Extends EULA to possible cloud-based gaming uses)

  • Annex 2, Para 4.3.3: Adds the possibility of “Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools” to anti-cheat as something you must accept them installing on your computer.

  • Annex 2, Para 8.3: Adds extensive section to the health liability “use at your own risk” exemption for VR (previously indemnified against epilepsy, spinal problems and neuroses from playing too long, but VR-related illness wasn’t mentioned)

So yeah, couple interesting things in there about subscriptions, DRM, and dispute mechanisms, as well.

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