Terms of Service

01 Entering the Arena

Welcome to BountyWarz ("the Game," "Service," "Platform"), a browser-based cybersecurity training game operated by BountyWarz ("we," "us," "our"). By accessing or using BountyWarz, you ("Hunter," "you," "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not access or use the Service.

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated through in-game notifications or via email. Your continued use of BountyWarz after any modifications constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and BountyWarz. Please read them carefully before engaging with the Platform.

02 Minimum Clearance Level

You must be at least 13 years of age to create an account and use BountyWarz. If you are between 13 and 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction), you must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to use the Service.

By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet the minimum age requirement. We reserve the right to terminate accounts where we have reasonable grounds to believe the user does not meet this requirement.

If you are a parent or guardian and discover that your child under 13 has created an account, please contact us at support@bountywarz.com and we will promptly remove the account and associated data.

03 Hunter Registration Protocol

To access BountyWarz features, you must create an account through our authentication system (powered by Supabase). You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and complete registration information
• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activity that occurs under your account, whether or not authorized by you
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access to or use of your account

Each individual may maintain only one active account. We reserve the right to refuse registration or cancel accounts at our discretion. You may not transfer, sell, or assign your account to any other person or entity.

04 Hunter's Code of Conduct

BountyWarz is a simulated cybersecurity environment designed for education and entertainment. All "hacking" activities occur within the game's fictional universe. By using the Service, you agree to the following rules of engagement:

You SHALL:

• Engage with all game scenarios, missions, and challenges within the Platform only
• Treat other Hunters with respect in all communications and interactions
• Report bugs, exploits, or vulnerabilities through proper channels
• Use knowledge gained from BountyWarz responsibly and ethically

You SHALL NOT:

• Use any cheats, exploits, automation software, bots, hacks, or unauthorized third-party tools to gain an unfair advantage
• Attempt to exploit, attack, or probe real-world systems, networks, or infrastructure based on techniques learned in the Game
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any portion of the Service
• Interfere with, disrupt, or overload the Platform's servers, networks, or infrastructure
• Harass, threaten, impersonate, or intimidate other users
• Share, sell, or distribute account credentials or in-game assets outside the Platform
• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws or regulations
• Upload or transmit malicious code, viruses, or any destructive content

Violations of the Hunter's Code may result in warnings, temporary suspension, permanent account termination, and/or referral to appropriate authorities where required by law.

05 Zero-Day Credit Requisitions

BountyWarz offers an optional virtual currency known as Zero-Day Credits (ZDC), available for purchase through our payment processor (Stripe). ZDC bundles are offered at the following price tiers:

• Starter Pack — $0.99
• Field Kit — $4.99
• Arsenal Crate — $9.99
• Operator Bundle — $24.99
• Command Cache — $49.99

By purchasing ZDC, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Non-refundable: All ZDC purchases are final. Zero-Day Credits are non-refundable virtual currency with no real-world monetary value outside the Platform.
• No cash value: ZDC cannot be exchanged, transferred, or redeemed for real currency, goods, or services outside BountyWarz.
• License, not ownership: Purchasing ZDC grants you a limited, non-transferable, revocable license to use the virtual currency within the Game. You do not own ZDC.
• Price changes: We reserve the right to modify ZDC pricing, bundles, and exchange rates at any time.
• Account termination: If your account is terminated for violations of these Terms, you forfeit all remaining ZDC with no right to refund.

All payment processing is handled by Stripe. We do not store your credit card information. Purchases are subject to Stripe's terms and applicable tax regulations in your jurisdiction.

06 Classified Sectors & Premium Arsenal

BountyWarz offers premium content accessible through ZDC or direct purchase, including but not limited to:

• Premium Nations: Access to 12 exclusive nation environments, each with unique scenarios, NPCs, and mission chains beyond the base game content
• Cosmetic Items: Visual customizations including Hunter skins, badge designs, HQ themes, and profile enhancements
• Bonus Content: Additional training modules, challenge maps, and seasonal event access

Premium content is provided on an "as-is" basis. We reserve the right to modify, rebalance, or retire premium content at our discretion. Premium content is non-transferable between accounts and may not be resold.

07 Galactic Intellectual Property Registry

All content, features, and functionality of BountyWarz are the exclusive property of BountyWarz and its licensors. This includes, but is not limited to:

• The BountyWarz name, logo, and all associated branding
• Athelgard — the AI mentor entity, including all visual depictions, voice, persona, and characterization
• All nation names, lore, maps, environmental designs, and fictional world-building
• NPC characters, bounty targets, storylines, and dialogue
• Game mechanics, user interface designs, and source code
• All artwork, audio, animations, and visual assets

These elements are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any BountyWarz content without prior written authorization.

The BountyWarz name and Athelgard name are trademarks of BountyWarz. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited.

08 Hunter Transmissions & Callsigns

When you create content within BountyWarz — including but not limited to callsigns, profile text, in-game communications, and gameplay actions — you retain ownership of your original content. However, by submitting content to the Platform, you grant BountyWarz a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, display, and distribute such content in connection with operating and promoting the Service.

You represent and warrant that your user-generated content:

• Does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party
• Does not contain obscene, defamatory, threatening, or otherwise objectionable material
• Does not impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Complies with all applicable laws and regulations

We reserve the right to remove or modify any user-generated content at our sole discretion, without notice, for any reason including violation of these Terms.

09 Dishonorable Discharge Protocol

We reserve the right to suspend or permanently terminate your account, without prior notice, for any of the following reasons:

• Violation of the Hunter's Code of Conduct (Section 04)
• Breach of any provision of these Terms
• Fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful activity
• Conduct that is harmful to other users, the Service, or third parties
• Extended inactivity (accounts inactive for more than 24 months may be subject to deletion)
• At our sole discretion, for any reason we deem necessary to protect the integrity of the Platform

Upon termination:

• Your right to access and use the Service ceases immediately
• All ZDC, premium content, and in-game progress associated with your account are forfeited
• We are under no obligation to provide refunds for any purchases made prior to termination
• Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including intellectual property, limitation of liability, and dispute resolution) will remain in effect

You may voluntarily terminate your account at any time by contacting support@bountywarz.com.

10 Simulation Disclosure & Authorization Boundaries

IMPORTANT: BountyWarz is an educational simulation game. All cybersecurity scenarios, hacking challenges, vulnerability exploits, and security exercises presented within the Game are entirely fictional and contained within the Platform.

Playing BountyWarz does NOT constitute:

• Authorization to test, probe, or exploit any real-world system, network, application, or infrastructure
• A professional cybersecurity certification, credential, or qualification
• Legal permission to perform penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, or any security testing on systems you do not own or have explicit written authorization to test
• Endorsement or encouragement of unauthorized computer access of any kind

Unauthorized access to computer systems is a serious criminal offense under laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in the United States and equivalent statutes in other jurisdictions. You are solely responsible for ensuring your actions outside of BountyWarz comply with all applicable laws.

11 Operational Risk Parameters

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

• No warranty: BountyWarz is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
• Service availability: We do not guarantee uninterrupted, secure, or error-free operation of the Service. The Platform may be subject to downtime for maintenance, updates, or unforeseen issues.
• Liability cap: In no event shall BountyWarz, its officers, directors, employees, agents, or affiliates be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses, arising out of or related to your use of or inability to use the Service.
• Maximum damages: Our total aggregate liability for any claims arising from or related to these Terms or your use of the Service shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts you have paid to BountyWarz in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or (b) one hundred US dollars ($100.00).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain warranties or liabilities. In such jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

12 Shield Protocol

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BountyWarz, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Service or any activity under your account
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights
• Any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Service
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation

13 Data Encryption & Privacy Protocols

Your privacy matters to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy. By using BountyWarz, you consent to the collection and use of information as described therein.

In brief: we collect account information necessary to provide the Service, gameplay data to improve the experience, and payment data (processed securely by Stripe). We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

14 Jurisdictional Command Authority

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States of America, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved exclusively in the federal or state courts located within the United States.

You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objections based on venue or inconvenient forum. If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

15 Auxiliary Protocols

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and BountyWarz regarding your use of the Service, superseding any prior agreements.

Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Force Majeure: We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, strikes, government actions, internet failures, or power outages.