Take Two: Difference between revisions

(5 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)

Line 10:

}}

'''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is ~~an NYC-~~based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant in September 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, [[Rockstar Games]], Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.

'''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is a New York City based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant on September 30, 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, [[Rockstar Games]], Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.

==Relevant incidents==

Line 28:

2k - shuttered studios (stub)

-Private Division shutdown - Main project Kerbal Space Program 2 made abandonware in early access, players not refunded

[[wikipedia:2K_(company)|Wikipedia page ref]](note: use as springboard, find dedicated sources for history of buyouts and shuttering)

Line 36:

Line 38:

Borderlands Series - Terms of Service changes and alleged spyware 2025-Apr

Borderlands Series - Terms of Service changes and alleged [[spyware]] 2025-Apr

https://medium.com/@DarkRa/why-gamers-are-furious-over-take-two-and-2ks-new-terms-of-service-051e7a6a5594

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKMhqKzHxs&pp=ygUMdGFrZSB0d28gdG9z

Risk of Rain 2 - EULA update, which is the same as the Borderlands Series.

Risk of Rain video game series - EULA update, which is the same as the Borderlands Series. (Risk of Rain was published by Gearbox, which all their games were affected by this EULA update.)

Grand Theft Auto also has the same EULA update from Take Two Interactive as the Borderlands Series and Risk of Rain.

On January 29, 2024, 2K removed ''Spec Ops: The Line'' from [[Steam]] without prior notice, due to expiring partnership licenses.<ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/</ref> Players who already owned the game can still download and play it.

==References==

Line 49:

Line 53:

=Take-Two Interactive Software Privacy Policy Update=

== Take-Two Interactive — Abuses Related to Data Collection and Game Ownership ==

==Take-Two Interactive — Abuses Related to Data Collection and Game Ownership==

=== Data Collection Practices ===

===Data Collection Practices===

* '''Always-on tracking''': Take-Two collects gameplay data continuously, even in single-player modes. This includes hardware identifiers, crash logs, user behavior, and telemetry.

*'''Always-on tracking''': Take-Two collects gameplay data continuously, even in single-player modes. This includes hardware identifiers, crash logs, user behavior, and telemetry.

* '''Cross-service aggregation''': Data is collected across all Take-Two titles (e.g. ''GTA'', ''Red Dead'', ''NBA 2K''), websites, customer support interactions, and third-party services. This enables behavioral profiling without user transparency.

*'''Cross-service aggregation''': Data is collected across all Take-Two titles (e.g. ''GTA'', ''Red Dead'', ''NBA 2K''), websites, customer support interactions, and third-party services. This enables behavioral profiling without user transparency.

* '''Cookies and marketing surveillance''': Persistent cookies and tracking pixels are used for analytics and targeted advertising. User data may be shared with external partners, with no meaningful opt-out mechanism.

*'''Cookies and marketing surveillance''': Persistent cookies and tracking pixels are used for analytics and targeted advertising. User data may be shared with external partners, with no meaningful opt-out mechanism.

* '''Mandatory acceptance''': Users must accept all data collection terms to access the games or services. Refusal may lead to denied access or reduced functionality.

*'''Mandatory acceptance''': Users must accept all data collection terms to access the games or services. Refusal may lead to denied access or reduced functionality.

=== No Ownership Over Games or Content ===

===No Ownership Over Games or Content===

* '''License, not purchase''': All Take-Two products, including physical and digital copies, are legally considered ''revocable licenses'', not owned goods. The company retains all property rights.

*'''License, not purchase''': All Take-Two products, including physical and digital copies, are legally considered ''revocable licenses'', not owned goods. The company retains all property rights.

* '''Game access can be revoked''': Take-Two’s Terms of Service allow them to ''terminate the license'' at any time, for any reason. Once terminated, users ''lose access'' to the game—even if they paid full price.

*'''Game access can be revoked''': Take-Two’s Terms of Service allow them to ''terminate the license'' at any time, for any reason. Once terminated, users ''lose access'' to the game—even if they paid full price.

* '''No refunds or compensation''': Upon license termination or account ban, Take-Two has no obligation to offer a refund or reinstate access. Games, accounts, and virtual items can disappear permanently.

*'''No refunds or compensation''': Upon license termination or account ban, Take-Two has no obligation to offer a refund or reinstate access. Games, accounts, and virtual items can disappear permanently.

* '''Virtual goods not guaranteed''': In-game currency, cosmetics, or stats (e.g. ''GTA Shark Cards'', ''NBA VC'') can be removed, altered, or rendered inaccessible at any time. Ownership claims are explicitly denied.

*'''Virtual goods not guaranteed''': In-game currency, cosmetics, or stats (e.g. ''GTA Shark Cards'', ''NBA VC'') can be removed, altered, or rendered inaccessible at any time. Ownership claims are explicitly denied.

=== Sample Terms Extract ===

===Sample Terms Extract===

<blockquote>"You agree that your rights to access and use the Services are limited by this Agreement and that your license is revocable, non-exclusive, and non-transferable. Take-Two may suspend, terminate, or modify your access at its sole discretion…"</blockquote>

=== Summary ===

===Summary===

Take-Two uses its Terms of Service to maintain '''total control''' over user data, gameplay behavior, and access rights. Despite charging full retail prices, the company:

* Treats all products as ''temporary, licensed experiences''.

*Treats all products as ''temporary, licensed experiences''.

* Reserves the right to '''revoke access without refund'''.

*Reserves the right to '''revoke access without refund'''.

* Enforces '''extensive data collection''' with no opt-out.

*Enforces '''extensive data collection''' with no opt-out.

* Allows '''removal of games from users’ libraries''', even post-purchase.

*Allows '''removal of games from users’ libraries''', even post-purchase.

These practices undermine consumer rights by '''removing ownership''', eroding '''user privacy''', and ensuring '''legal asymmetry''' in disputes.

Last Update: ~~February~~ 2025

Last Update: June 2025

==Categories of Information Collected==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 }}
-'''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is an NYC-based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant in September 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, [[Rockstar Games]], Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.
+'''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is a New York City based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant on September 30, 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, [[Rockstar Games]], Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.
 ==Relevant incidents==
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 k - shuttered studios (stub)
+-Private Division shutdown - Main project Kerbal Space Program 2 made abandonware in early access, players not refunded
 [[wikipedia:2K_(company)|Wikipedia page ref]](note: use as springboard, find dedicated sources for history of buyouts and shuttering)
@@ Line 36: / Line 38: @@
-Borderlands Series - Terms of Service changes and alleged spyware 2025-Apr
+Borderlands Series - Terms of Service changes and alleged [[spyware]] 2025-Apr
 https://medium.com/@DarkRa/why-gamers-are-furious-over-take-two-and-2ks-new-terms-of-service-051e7a6a5594
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKMhqKzHxs&pp=ygUMdGFrZSB0d28gdG9z
-Risk of Rain 2 - EULA update, which is the same as the Borderlands Series.
+Risk of Rain video game series - EULA update, which is the same as the Borderlands Series. (Risk of Rain was published by Gearbox, which all their games were affected by this EULA update.)
 Grand Theft Auto also has the same EULA update from Take Two Interactive as the Borderlands Series and Risk of Rain.
+On January 29, 2024, 2K removed ''Spec Ops: The Line'' from [[Steam]] without prior notice, due to expiring partnership licenses.<ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/</ref> Players who already owned the game can still download and play it.
 ==References==
@@ Line 49: / Line 53: @@
 =Take-Two Interactive Software Privacy Policy Update=
-== Take-Two Interactive — Abuses Related to Data Collection and Game Ownership ==
+==Take-Two Interactive — Abuses Related to Data Collection and Game Ownership==
-=== Data Collection Practices ===
+===Data Collection Practices===
-* '''Always-on tracking''': Take-Two collects gameplay data continuously, even in single-player modes. This includes hardware identifiers, crash logs, user behavior, and telemetry.
+*'''Always-on tracking''': Take-Two collects gameplay data continuously, even in single-player modes. This includes hardware identifiers, crash logs, user behavior, and telemetry.
-* '''Cross-service aggregation''': Data is collected across all Take-Two titles (e.g. ''GTA'', ''Red Dead'', ''NBA 2K''), websites, customer support interactions, and third-party services. This enables behavioral profiling without user transparency.
+*'''Cross-service aggregation''': Data is collected across all Take-Two titles (e.g. ''GTA'', ''Red Dead'', ''NBA 2K''), websites, customer support interactions, and third-party services. This enables behavioral profiling without user transparency.
-* '''Cookies and marketing surveillance''': Persistent cookies and tracking pixels are used for analytics and targeted advertising. User data may be shared with external partners, with no meaningful opt-out mechanism.
+*'''Cookies and marketing surveillance''': Persistent cookies and tracking pixels are used for analytics and targeted advertising. User data may be shared with external partners, with no meaningful opt-out mechanism.
-* '''Mandatory acceptance''': Users must accept all data collection terms to access the games or services. Refusal may lead to denied access or reduced functionality.
+*'''Mandatory acceptance''': Users must accept all data collection terms to access the games or services. Refusal may lead to denied access or reduced functionality.
-=== No Ownership Over Games or Content ===
+===No Ownership Over Games or Content===
-* '''License, not purchase''': All Take-Two products, including physical and digital copies, are legally considered ''revocable licenses'', not owned goods. The company retains all property rights.
+*'''License, not purchase''': All Take-Two products, including physical and digital copies, are legally considered ''revocable licenses'', not owned goods. The company retains all property rights.
-* '''Game access can be revoked''': Take-Two’s Terms of Service allow them to ''terminate the license'' at any time, for any reason. Once terminated, users ''lose access'' to the game—even if they paid full price.
+*'''Game access can be revoked''': Take-Two’s Terms of Service allow them to ''terminate the license'' at any time, for any reason. Once terminated, users ''lose access'' to the game—even if they paid full price.
-* '''No refunds or compensation''': Upon license termination or account ban, Take-Two has no obligation to offer a refund or reinstate access. Games, accounts, and virtual items can disappear permanently.
+*'''No refunds or compensation''': Upon license termination or account ban, Take-Two has no obligation to offer a refund or reinstate access. Games, accounts, and virtual items can disappear permanently.
-* '''Virtual goods not guaranteed''': In-game currency, cosmetics, or stats (e.g. ''GTA Shark Cards'', ''NBA VC'') can be removed, altered, or rendered inaccessible at any time. Ownership claims are explicitly denied.
+*'''Virtual goods not guaranteed''': In-game currency, cosmetics, or stats (e.g. ''GTA Shark Cards'', ''NBA VC'') can be removed, altered, or rendered inaccessible at any time. Ownership claims are explicitly denied.
-=== Sample Terms Extract ===
+===Sample Terms Extract===
 <blockquote>"You agree that your rights to access and use the Services are limited by this Agreement and that your license is revocable, non-exclusive, and non-transferable. Take-Two may suspend, terminate, or modify your access at its sole discretion…"</blockquote>
-=== Summary ===
+===Summary===
 Take-Two uses its Terms of Service to maintain '''total control''' over user data, gameplay behavior, and access rights. Despite charging full retail prices, the company:
-* Treats all products as ''temporary, licensed experiences''.
+*Treats all products as ''temporary, licensed experiences''.
-* Reserves the right to '''revoke access without refund'''.
+*Reserves the right to '''revoke access without refund'''.
-* Enforces '''extensive data collection''' with no opt-out.
+*Enforces '''extensive data collection''' with no opt-out.
-* Allows '''removal of games from users’ libraries''', even post-purchase.
+*Allows '''removal of games from users’ libraries''', even post-purchase.
 These practices undermine consumer rights by '''removing ownership''', eroding '''user privacy''', and ensuring '''legal asymmetry''' in disputes.
-Last Update: February 2025
+Last Update: June 2025
 ==Categories of Information Collected==