Who we are
This policy explains in detail how “Good Games Writing” along with its affiliated companies (hereinafter “we”, “us”, “our”, “Good Games Writing”, “GGW”, “Orbytl”, “Liftoff!”, “goodgameswriting.com”, “orbytl.com”) and service providers (hereinafter “they”, “them”, “their”, “Xenforo/WordPress software”) use any information collected during any session of usage by you (hereinafter “your information”).
GGW realizes that privacy is a global concern, and as such, that our users require not only a knowledge on what we do with information, they need protection of the personally identifying information they so choose to share with us. This policy will allow you to better determine how to make appropriate decisions regarding the sharing of your information.
Automatic Information Gathering
With use of our services, a series of “cookies” will be created by the software. Cookies are small text files that will be downloaded on to your computer’s web browsers temporary files. These cookies are meant to enhance the experience offered by GGW, and include controlling your sessions on the site, differentiating between read and unread topics, and are used, in short, to personalize your experience. Cookies are automatically generated with use of our website. By using our services, you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies to perform a variety of functions, including analytics and ads tailored to your interests, and your continued use of our services constitutes your consent.
IP Addresses are also provided to us as you browse the site, but are only available during that time if you do not post messages. An IP address is a numeric address that is assigned to your computer by your Internet Service Provider, and is generally unique to you. In some cases, an IP address may be able to provide a generalized location of you, the user.
We also collect certain standard information that your browser sends to every website you visit, such as browser type and language, access times and referring website addresses.
In all cases, you may consider opt-out settings for advertisements: Global users, including those in the United States, may do so here. Residents of the EU may do so here, while residents of Canada may here. For information on embedded Flash applications, you may learn about those options here: though be advised rejecting flash cookies may interfere with your user experience, particularly with video and other applets.
Voluntary Information Gathering
In general, the information you provide to GGW is voluntary. In order to participate in the discussion of GGW, you will need to create an account. Your account will at a bare minimum contain a uniquely identifiable name (hereinafter “your user name”), a personal password used for logging into your account (hereinafter “your password”) and a personal, valid e-mail address (hereinafter “your email”). Your information for your account at “GGW” is protected by data-protection laws applicable in the country that hosts us. Any information beyond your user name, your password, and your email address required by “GGW” during the registration process is either mandatory or optional, at the sole discretion of GGW.
In all cases, you have the option of what information in your account is publicly displayed. During your time on GGW, discussion may ask for further information. This is not the official policy of our service, and, as such, posting in threads or article discussions regarding age, location, sex, and the like is strictly optional, as is all posting on GGW.
One exception to this is participating in contests offered forth by the GGW staff. In order to deliver some prizes, it will be necessary to have information regarding the shipping of the product, including, but not limited to, your full name, address, and phone number. Failure to provide this information will result in forfeiture of the prize(s) in question.
Finally, we may collect your data through services such as Google Forms or MailChimp for the specific delivery of programs such as #PitchJam: Information gathered through these services will be governed both by our Privacy Policy and the outside service provider’s.
Use of Information
As has already been stated, we use your information for a variety of reasons. Primarily, our concern is your convenience. The software maintains your information, such as preferences, password, etc. through secure means that can not be accessed by anyone else. Your password is ciphered (a one-way hash) so that it is secure, while you may remove cookies at any time through your browser.
Furthermore, we use your voluntary information to provide prizes, offline support and issue resolution, to keep you informed through use of newsletters sent to your email, for analysis with tools such as Google Analytics.
Some of this may be considered aggregate data, data which is anonymous information that is grouped for statistical analysis, as it will not reveal any personal information. Statistical analysis is important to goodgameswriting.com in its endeavors to create the best user experience available. It will be used in conjunction with that of other users taken as a whole to better gauge the direction of the website, and is used under good faith.
In the event you have signed up for an additional service, such as participation in #PitchJam or receipt of a newsletter on Substack, your information, as gathered by that third party provider, will be used for that explicit purpose and that purpose only. Consent for one such additional service does NOT constitute consent for all additional services, nor does creation of an account on this website constitute consent for any additional services.
Embedded content from other websites
Articles on this site, particularly curated content, may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracing your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
Release of Information
Goodgameswriting.com, its staff, and all associated websites on subdomains and related servers will do its best to maintain the privacy of your information. We do not share or sell your information to third party websites, partners, or otherwise for any reason, with exception to the following: (a) to conform to the law, as we see it under good faith; (b) if doing so is reasonably necessary to comply with the law or assist law enforcement agencies; (c) protect and defend the site and its personnel, services, users, and members of the public at large; (d) to respond to any claims, legal or not; (e) to ensure that the site policy, as outlined in our Rules and Terms is upheld; (f) to protect the integrity of the site; (g) comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service to uphold a respectful community; (h) use of outside services, such as Google Forms, will be applied under both their terms and ours and the decision to share this information will be presented to you again, separately; and (i) sharing of cookies for personalized ad settings, which you may opt out of per above.
We reserve the right to terminate your account at any time, thus forfeiting your control over information already submitted to us. You may request a compilation of the data we have about you in the event you have created an account with us and may choose to withdraw your consent for its use and delete your account. Please contact the Policy Director (contact information at the end of this document) to assist you with this process.
Extreme misuse of GGW from users exhibiting bot like behaviour or in flagrant disregard for the rule of law will result in the suspension or termination of your account and all related data such as IP address monitored when attempting to use this site: This does not preclude you from exercising your rights under this policy, though, including data deletion requests, however for security reasons monitored items such as IP address will be retained in order to uphold the suspension or termination.
International Users
Personal information collected on our site may be processed in the country of the servers’ origin. By using our services, you consent to processing of information outside of your native country in regards to providing you with service. We adhere to the laws of the country our server is in, the United States, and our rules are intended to abide by the rules and laws of the United States and our operational headquarters in Canada. Your local laws will not necessarily apply, and as such, you agree that any information you provide will be used in accordance with United States law.
As of 2018, special provisions have been included in this Privacy Policy as a result of the GDPR: instead of limiting them to EU residents, these policies, as amended, apply to all our users. The laws of the United States and Canada will still govern our general policy structure, though attention has been paid to these new European Union laws.
Your Part
It is advised that you, the user, are active in the control of your personal identity and information. In terms of your password, which will provide you access to other information you provide us, it is strongly advised you use a unique and strong password for each website you visit. Furthermore, it is advised that you regularly change your password. Be sure to keep it confidential. If you are on a public or shared computer, always log out after visiting websites, such as orbytl.com. You may opt out of services requiring more information, including receiving emails, as well. Please keep in mind that if you publicly share information such as your full name, it will be publicly available, and may be collected and used by others without yours or our knowledge. We advise extreme caution in regards to the information you make publicly available. Please note that providing information to our staff for use (such as in providing contests) will be kept private, and is not considered a public notice.
You may choose to request a report, or even full deletion, of all information we hold, with certain limitations, and this will be completed within 20 days.
With good sense in the information you make available online, you should have no issue keeping your identity your own. While we do not guarantee the protection of information you post, we will do our best to uphold the privacy of your information, and enforce the Privacy Policy as necessary. In order to ensure the best service, it is advised you take an active role in ensuring it is enforced and maintained. If you have any concerns about our Privacy Policy, use of your information, or otherwise, you may contact us with your queries.
ATTN: Mr. Aaron Hudspeth, Technical Director.
admin(at)goodgameswriting(d0t)com
Revisions
We reserve the right to revise and change our Privacy Policy and other terms at any time and without notice. You are expected to review these terms on a regular basis to ensure your information is held in accordance with your personal standards. While we do reserve the right to change this without notice, more often than not, we will make public announcement as part of our code of ethics. However, a detailed changelog will be kept here for your record.
- August 1st, 2016 – released
- May 18, 2018 – revised to comply with GDPR
- June 2, 2018 – outside information gathering, extreme misuse retention of information, embedded content from outside websites added for clarity.
- April 2, 2020 – Liftoff! version created
Our website address is: goodgameswriting.com. You can find us on Twitter @goodwritingvg.