WARPWAVE STUDIOS: PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: April 10, 2025
1. Preamble: Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At WarpWave Studios, we are passionate about crafting immersive and vibrant gaming experiences. We understand that your privacy is paramount, and we are dedicated to protecting your personal data with the utmost care and transparency. This Privacy Policy outlines our comprehensive practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of your information when you interact with our games, websites, applications, and related services (collectively, the "Services"). We believe in empowering you with control over your data and fostering a relationship of trust.
This policy is designed to be exhaustive and to exceed industry standards, providing you with a clear and detailed understanding of how we handle your information.
We continuously review and update this policy to ensure it remains current with evolving legal requirements and best practices.
2. Definitions
To ensure clarity and understanding, we define the following key terms:
- Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.
- Processing: Any operation performed on personal data, such as collection, use, disclosure, and storage.
- Data Controller: The entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
- Data Processor: The entity that processes personal data on behalf of the data controller.
- Data Subject: The individual to whom the personal data relates.
- Consent: Freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous indication of your wishes by which you signify your agreement to the processing of your personal data.
- Cookies: Small text files placed on your device to collect information about your browsing activity.
- Tracking Technologies: Technologies such as pixel tags, web beacons, and SDKs used to collect information about your usage patterns.
- Pseudonymization: The processing of personal data in such a way that it can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information.
- Anonymization: The processing of personal data in such a way that it can no longer be attributed to any individual.
- Profiling: Any form of automated processing of personal data to evaluate personal aspects relating to an individual, such as interests, preferences, and behavior.
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA): A systematic process for identifying and mitigating privacy risks associated with data processing activities.
WarpWave Studios is a fully digital studio with no physical headquarters. We operate globally as a team of independent artists and developers, collaborating remotely to bring our projects to life.
The legal owner and operator of WarpWave Studios is Antonio Molignano (Molyan). Any inquiries related to data protection, privacy, or general studio operations should be directed to the following:
- Data Controller: Antonio Molignano
- Contact Email: legal@warp-wave.com
For inquiries regarding data protection, including requests to access or correct your personal data, or for our full legal address, please contact us at the email address provided above.
4. Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to all users of our Services, regardless of their location or the device they use to access our Services. It covers information we collect:
- Through our games: This includes all games developed and published by WarpWave Studios, including but not limited to Spark Grove.
- Through our websites: This includes our official website, marketing landing pages, and any other websites operated by WarpWave Studios.
- Through our applications: This includes any mobile or desktop applications we offer.
- Through our customer support channels: This includes email, in-app support tickets, and any other channels we use to communicate with users.
- Through our marketing and promotional activities: This includes email newsletters, social media campaigns, and any other marketing efforts.
- Through third-party platforms: This includes social media platforms, app stores, and other platforms that connect to our Services.
5. The Data We Collect
We collect a variety of information to provide, improve, personalize, and secure our Services. The types of data we collect include:
Account Information:
- Username and password
- Email address
- Date of birth (for age verification and compliance with COPPA)
- Country of residence
- Other contact information (optional)
Profile Information:
- Avatar or profile picture
- In-game nickname or tag
- Bio or description
- Game preferences and settings
- Language preferences
Communications:
- Chat logs (in-game and on forums)
- Player support tickets
- Feedback and suggestions
- Survey responses
Payment Information:
- We utilize secure third-party payment processors to handle all transactions. We do not directly store your credit card or other payment information on our servers.
- Transaction details (date, time, amount)
- Billing address
User-Generated Content:
- In-game creations (e.g., custom characters, levels, artwork)
- Replays and gameplay videos
- Forum posts and comments
Other Information:
- Any additional data you provide, such as contest entries, promotions, or surveys.
Device Information:
- Device type (e.g., smartphone, tablet, PC)
- Operating system (e.g., iOS, Android, Windows)
- IP address
- Device identifiers (e.g., IMEI, MAC address)
- Advertising IDs (e.g., IDFA, GAID)
- Browser type and version
- Language settings
- Time zone
Usage Data:
- Gameplay statistics (e.g., levels completed, achievements earned, items acquired)
- In-app purchases
- Session logs (e.g., login times, duration of gameplay)
- Crash reports and error logs
- Feature usage data
Location Data:
- Approximate location based on IP address
- Precise location (only with your explicit consent)
Cookies and Tracking Technologies:
We use cookies and similar technologies for:
- Authentication and security
- Personalization and preferences
- Analytics and performance measurement
- Advertising and marketing
- Fraud prevention
You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or via our cookie consent tool.
Metadata:
- Information embedded in user-generated content, such as timestamps, location data (if enabled), and device information.
We may receive additional data from:
Social Media Platforms:
- If you link your social media accounts to our Services, we may collect data such as profile pictures, friend lists, and public posts.
- Data collection depends on your privacy settings on those platforms.
Advertising Partners:
- We work with advertising partners to display targeted ads and analyze ad performance.
- These partners may collect browsing behavior and interaction data for personalized ads.
Platform Providers:
- We collect data from platforms distributing our games (e.g., app stores) about downloads, purchases, and usage.
Fraud Prevention Services:
- We share and receive data from fraud detection services to prevent unauthorized access and fraudulent activities.
Data Enrichment Services:
- We may supplement our data with publicly available information or trusted third-party sources to enhance our understanding of user preferences.
5.4 Legal & Liability Disclaimers
User Responsibility for Shared Content
Users are solely responsible for the data they submit, share, or display in our Services, including any personal data of third parties. WarpWave Studios does not monitor, endorse, or verify user-generated content for compliance with laws and is not liable for privacy violations, defamation, or unauthorized data sharing caused by users.
No Expectation of Privacy in Public Spaces
Users acknowledge that public or semi-public areas of our Services, such as forums, in-game chat, and multiplayer lobbies, are visible to other users. WarpWave Studios is not responsible for how other users may store, distribute, or use this information.
Third-Party Services Disclaimer
Our Services integrate with third-party platforms (e.g., social media, payment processors, ad networks). WarpWave Studios does not control these platforms and is not responsible for their data handling practices. Users should review the privacy policies of these third parties before using their services.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, WarpWave Studios and its affiliates, employees, and partners are not liable for:
- Data breaches, unauthorized access, or account loss
- Service downtime, crashes, or errors
- User interactions, including harassment or data leaks
- Financial loss due to purchases or fraudulent activities
Content Moderation & No Guarantee of Removal
WarpWave Studios reserves the right (but is not obligated) to moderate user content. We do not guarantee immediate removal of harmful material and are not liable for damages caused before content is addressed.
Changes to This Policy
WarpWave Studios may update this Privacy Policy at any time. Continued use of our Services after updates constitutes acceptance of the new terms.
6. Purposes of Data Processing
We process your data for a variety of legitimate purposes, including:
6.1 Providing and Maintaining the Services
- Account Creation and Management:
- Creating and managing user accounts
- Authenticating users and managing logins
- Providing access to game features and content
- Communicating with users about their accounts
- Game Operation and Updates:
- Operating and maintaining our games and other Services
- Delivering game content and updates
- Providing server infrastructure and network connectivity
- Monitoring game performance and stability
- Customer Support and Troubleshooting:
- Responding to user inquiries and support tickets
- Troubleshooting technical issues
- Providing assistance with gameplay
- Payment Processing and Fraud Prevention:
- Facilitating in-app purchases and other transactions
- Detecting and preventing fraudulent payments
- Complying with payment card industry standards
- Legal Purposes:
- The User's Personal Data may be used for legal purposes by WarpWave Studios in Court or in the stages leading to possible legal action arising from improper use of this Application or the related Services.
The User declares to be aware that WarpWave Studios may be required to reveal personal data upon request of public authorities.
6.2 Improving and Personalizing the Services
- Analyzing Gameplay Data:
- Analyzing user behavior and gameplay patterns to understand how our games are used
- Identifying areas for improvement in game design and user experience
- Balancing gameplay and ensuring fairness
- Developing New Features and Content:
- Using data to inform the development of new features, content, and games
- Conducting A/B testing to optimize game design
- Personalizing In-Game Offers and Recommendations:
- Providing personalized recommendations for in-app purchases and other offers
- Tailoring game content and features to individual preferences
- Conducting Research and Analytics:
- Performing research and analysis to better understand our users and their needs
- Measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns and other initiatives
6.3 Marketing and Advertising
- Sending Promotional Emails and Newsletters:
- Sending email newsletters and other promotional communications to users who have opted in to receive them
- Providing information about new games, updates, and special offers
- Displaying Targeted Advertisements:
- Displaying targeted ads within our Services and on other websites and applications
- Using data to deliver ads that are relevant to your interests
- Measuring the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns
- Managing Contests and Promotions:
- Administering contests, sweepstakes, and other promotions
- Communicating with winners and distributing prizes
- Affiliate Marketing:
- Partnering with other companies to promote our games and services
- Sharing data with affiliates to track referrals and conversions
6.4 Security and Compliance
- Detecting and Preventing Fraud and Abuse:
- Monitoring user activity for suspicious behavior
- Implementing measures to prevent cheating, hacking, and other forms of abuse
- Protecting our Services from unauthorized access and data breaches
- Enforcing Our Terms of Service:
- Using data to enforce our terms of service and other policies
- Taking action against users who violate our rules
- Complying with Legal Obligations:
- Complying with all applicable laws and regulations
- Responding to lawful requests from government agencies and law enforcement
- Moderating User Content:
- Moderating chat rooms, forums, and other user-generated content to ensure a safe and positive community environment
6.5 Community and Social Features
- Enabling In-Game Chat:
- Facilitating communication between players within our games
- Moderating chat to ensure a safe and respectful environment
- Enabling User Forums:
- Providing a platform for users to connect and discuss our games
- Moderating forums to ensure compliance with our community guidelines
- Enabling Friend Lists and Guilds:
- Allowing users to connect with friends and other players
- Facilitating social interaction and community building
7. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:
7.1 Contractual Necessity
- We process your data when it is necessary to perform our contract with you, such as:
- Providing you with access to our games and Services
- Processing your in-app purchases
- Responding to your customer support requests
7.2 Legitimate Interests
- We process your data when it is necessary for our legitimate interests, such as:
- Improving our games and Services
- Preventing fraud and abuse
- Protecting our users and our business
- Conducting research and analytics
- Marketing our games and services
7.3 Consent
- We process your data based on your explicit consent, such as:
- Sending you marketing emails and newsletters
- Displaying targeted advertisements
- Collecting precise location data
7.4 Legal Obligations
- We process your data when it is necessary to comply with legal obligations, such as:
- Responding to lawful requests from government agencies and law enforcement
- Complying with tax laws and regulations
- Fulfilling our obligations under data protection laws
8. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your data with the following categories of recipients:
8.1 Service Providers
- We share data with third-party service providers who assist us with various aspects of our business, such as:
- Hosting and cloud storage providers
- Payment processors
- Analytics providers
- Customer support providers
- Marketing automation providers
- Fraud prevention providers
- We have contracts with these providers that require them to protect your data and only process it in accordance with our instructions.
8.2 Advertising Partners
- We share data with advertising partners to display targeted ads within our Services and on other websites and applications.
- These partners may collect information about your interests and online activity to deliver more relevant ads.
- We may also share information with these partners to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.
- We only share data with advertising partners with your explicit consent.
8.3 Social Media Platforms
- If you choose to connect your social media accounts to our Services, we may share data with those platforms, such as your username and profile picture.
- The specific information we share will depend on the platform and your privacy settings on that platform.
8.4 Legal Authorities
- We may disclose your data to legal authorities when required by law or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.
- This may include responding to lawful requests from government agencies and law enforcement, complying with subpoenas and court orders, and cooperating with investigations.
8.5 Other Players
- We may share certain information with other players within our games, such as your username, profile picture, and in-game activity.
- This is necessary to enable social features, such as chat, leaderboards, and friend lists.
8.6 Business Transfers
- In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, we may share your data with the acquiring entity.
- We will notify you of any such transfer and ensure that your data is protected in accordance with this policy.
8.7 Affiliates
- We may share data with our affiliates, which are companies that are under common control with WarpWave Studios.
- This allows us to provide a consistent experience across our various games and services.
9. International Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your own, which may have different data protection laws. We take appropriate steps to ensure that your data is protected in accordance with this policy when it is transferred internationally. These steps may include:
- Standard Contractual Clauses: We may use standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission to ensure that your data is protected when it is transferred to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
- Binding Corporate Rules: We may implement binding corporate rules, which are a set of internal rules that govern the transfer of personal data within our organization.
- Other Lawful Mechanisms: We may rely on other lawful mechanisms for international data transfers, such as adequacy decisions or certifications.
10. Data Retention
We retain your data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The specific retention periods for different types of data are as follows:
- Account Data: We retain your account data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Services. If you close your account, we may retain certain data for a reasonable period to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
- Usage Data: We retain usage data for a reasonable period to analyze trends, administer the Services, improve our games, and develop new features.
- Payment Data: We retain payment data for as long as necessary to comply with legal and financial obligations.
- Customer Support Data: We retain customer support data for a reasonable period to track support requests and improve our customer service.
- Marketing Data: We retain marketing data for as long as you remain subscribed to our marketing communications or as needed to comply with legal obligations.
- Other Data: We retain other data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or as permitted by law.
11. Infos on the Processing of Personal Data
Personal Data is collected for the following purposes and using the following services:
11.1 Advertising
This type of service allows User Data to be utilized for advertising communication purposes. These communications are displayed in the form of banners and other advertisements on this Application, possibly based on User interests.
This does not mean that all Personal Data are used for this purpose. Information and conditions of use are shown below.
Some of the services listed below may use Trackers to identify Users or they may use the behavioral retargeting technique, i.e. displaying ads tailored to the User’s interests and behavior, including those detected outside this Application.
For more information, please check the privacy policies of the relevant services.
Services of this kind usually allow Users to opt out of such tracking. Users may learn how to opt out of interest-based advertising more generally by visiting the relevant opt-out section in this document.
Altervista Advertising (Mondadori Media S.p.A.)
Altervista Advertising is an advertising service provided by Mondadori Media S.p.A.
Personal Data processed: Trackers; various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service.
Place of processing: Italy – Privacy Policy
11.2 Platform services and hosting
These services have the purpose of hosting and running key components of this Application, therefore allowing the provision of this Application from within a unified platform. Such platforms provide a wide range of tools to the Owner – e.g. analytics, user registration, commenting, database management, e-commerce, payment processing – that imply the collection and handling of Personal Data.
Some of these services work through geographically distributed servers, making it difficult to determine the actual location where the Personal Data are stored.
Altervista Platform (Mondadori Media S.p.A.)
Altervista Platform is a platform provided by Mondadori Media S.p.A. that allows the Owner to build, run and host this Application.
Personal Data processed: Trackers; various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service.
Place of processing: Italy – Privacy Policy
In addition to any opt-out feature provided by any of the services listed in this document, Users may learn more on how to generally opt out of interest-based advertising within the dedicated section of the Cookie Policy.
13. Cookie Policy
This Application uses Trackers. To learn more, Users may consult the Cookie Policy.