Terms and conditions

1. About these terms

These terms cover your use of The Player Code website and iPhone app (together, "the service"). The service is run by The Player Code Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company no. 13912206, whose registered office is at Union House, 111 New Union Street, Coventry, CV1 2NT ("we", "us"). You can contact us at hello@theplayercode.com, or about your personal data at privacy@theplayercode.com.

By using the service you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use it. Our privacy policy explains how we handle your personal data.

We may update these terms from time to time, for example when we add features or the law changes. The date at the top always shows the current version. If a change matters, we'll tell you by email or in the app before it takes effect. If you keep using the service after that, the new terms apply. If you don't accept them, you can delete your account. A change never applies to a prize promotion that's already running, unless the law requires it.

We're in beta. The website and app are new, and you'll see a "Beta" label while we finish them. That means features may change, move or occasionally break while we improve things. We'll fix problems as quickly as we can, and you can tell us about any you find. Being in beta doesn't change your rights under these terms or the law.

2. Your account

You can read reviews, news and release lists without an account. You need one to follow games, keep a quest board, earn XP and enter sponsored quests.

• 18 and over for the community. Member profiles, friends, comments and leaderboards are only for players whose birthday on their account shows they're 18 or over. Giving a false birthday to get round this breaks these terms.
• You must be 13 or over to create an account. If you're under 18, please check with a parent or guardian first. Prize promotions have their own age limit, usually 18 or over (see section 8).
• Use a real email address you control, so you can confirm your account and reset your password.
• Choose a username that's fair game. No impersonating anyone, nothing offensive or hateful, and nothing that infringes someone else's brand. We may change or remove usernames that break this rule.
• Keep your password safe and don't share your account. You're responsible for what happens on it. If you think someone else has got in, reset your password and tell us.
• One person, one account. Accounts are personal and can't be sold, shared or transferred. Running more than one account to earn extra XP, codes or prize entries isn't allowed.
• Team accounts. A small number of accounts belong to The Player Code team and have admin access so they can write and publish reviews, news and releases, and run quests and Double XP events. Admin access is given only by us. Nobody can make themselves an admin.

2A. Memberships

News, reviews and quests are free for everyone, always. Members get extras, and help keep The Player Code independent.

• Free trial. New members get 7 days free, in the app or on Patreon. Unless you cancel at least 24 hours before it ends, it becomes a paid plan at the price shown when you started.
• Renewal. Plans renew automatically at the end of each month or year until you cancel.
• Cancelling. In the app: your iPhone's Settings, then your name, then Subscriptions. On the website: in Patreon. You keep access until the end of the period you've paid for.
• Refunds. App purchases are refunded by Apple under its rules (reportaproblem.apple.com). Patreon payments are refunded by Patreon under its terms. Your legal rights as a consumer aren't affected.
• Changes. We'll tell you before a price rise, and Apple or Patreon will ask you to agree where the law needs it. Perks can change; if we take away something significant, we'll tell you first and you can cancel.
• Founding supporters. Anyone who becomes a member by 30 November 2026 keeps the Founding supporter badge for life, even if they later cancel. It's a badge, not a free membership.
• Free accounts can save one game a day. Games saved before this limit started stay saved.
• Team accounts have full access so the team can run the service. Nobody can make themselves a team account.

3. Acceptable use and fair play

Please use the service fairly and lawfully. You must not:

• break any law, or use the service for fraud, scams or anything harmful;
• harass, threaten, bully or abuse anyone, including other players, developers, sponsors or our team;
• try to hack, overload or disrupt the service, get into other people's accounts or the admin area, or get around our security;
• scrape, copy or harvest content or data in bulk, including with bots or automated tools, or use our content to train AI models, without our written permission;
• upload or send viruses, malware or anything designed to cause damage;
• reverse engineer the app, except where the law allows it;
• use the service to send spam or advertising;
• pretend to be The Player Code or a sponsor, or suggest you're connected to us when you're not.

Fair play on quests. XP, levels, codes and prizes only mean something if everyone earns them honestly. You must not:

• fake steps, for example with a step-faking gadget, a swinging or shaking device, or an app or tool that feeds false data to your phone;
• fake your location or your distance from home, for example with location-spoofing apps or a VPN trick;
• use more than one account, share an account, or use someone else's account;
• use bots, scripts or automated tools to start, time or complete quests, trivia or reading quests;
• deliberately exploit a bug or a mistake in how XP is worked out. If you find one, please tell us instead.

Comments, profiles and pictures (members, 18 and over). Be decent. No harassment, hate, threats, spam, spoilers without warning, or personal information about anyone, and no links. Comments, reviews and pictures you post stay yours; you give us permission to show them on the site and in the app, and to remove them. We may hide or remove anything that breaks these rules, and suspend commenting or a membership. Report anything that looks wrong with the report button; we aim to look within 48 hours. Leaderboards only count fairly earned XP. Public map pins are checked before they appear and never show your name; private pins are only for you.

If you break these rules, we may remove content, take away XP or codes that weren't fairly earned, disqualify you from prize promotions, or suspend or close your account, depending on how serious it is. We'll normally explain why and give you a chance to respond first, unless it's an emergency or a serious breach.

4. Our reviews and news

The Player Code exists to give players honest, independent reviews and genuine news. Please keep in mind:

• Verdicts are opinions. Scores, Buy, Wait and Skip, and everything in a review, are our honest opinion based on our own experience of a game. Your experience may be different.
• The Slop label is commentary. A review tagged Slop, or anything in Slop Watch, is our critical opinion and satire about games we believe are low-effort or cash grabs. It's not a statement of fact about any company or person.
• News is reported in good faith. We only publish stories we believe are genuine, and we link to the original source where we can. Stories can develop after we publish, so details may change.
• Details change. Release dates, countdowns, prices, editions and platforms come from publishers and can change at any time. We try to keep them right, but always check with the retailer before you buy.
• Nobody buys our verdict. We don't accept payment for positive reviews, and sponsors have no say over what we write. If a review or story involves a free copy, a sponsorship or an affiliate link, we'll say so clearly on that page.
• We fix mistakes. If you think something we've published is factually wrong, email us and we'll look at it promptly.

Nothing on the service is financial, legal, medical or other professional advice.

5. Following, alerts and search

You can follow games, and as we add it, companies and studios, to get countdowns, news and alerts about them. Alerts and quest reminders are optional. You can switch them on or off in the app and in your iPhone's Settings at any time. We'll try to send alerts at the right moment, but we can't promise every alert will arrive or arrive on time, so please don't rely on one for anything important, such as a pre-order deadline.

Emails. We'll always send emails your account needs, like confirming your address or resetting your password. Launch and big news emails are different: you only get them if you tick the optional box when you join, or switch on "Launch and big news emails" on your account page, and you can stop them any time with that switch or the unsubscribe link in every email. Saying no never affects your account.

Search covers our published reviews, news and games. Results are worked out automatically and aren't a recommendation.

6. Quests, XP and levels

Quests are a fun way to build small, healthy habits around gaming. Each day you get a set of daily quests, plus a weekly quest and a bigger monthly quest. Completing them earns XP, and XP raises your level.

• How quests are checked. Some quests are checked automatically: step quests use your iPhone's step counter, distance quests measure how far you are from the home point you set (on your phone), trivia is marked by our server, and stretch breaks and reading quests are timed. You choose whether to give the app access to motion and location. Without it, those quests just won't count, and the rest still work. Our privacy policy explains exactly what we collect for each.
• Stay safe. Quests are for motivation only and aren't medical, health or fitness advice. Only take on quests that are safe and suitable for you. Watch where you're going on walks, respect private property and local rules, and never use the app while driving or cycling. Stop a stretch if it hurts, and speak to a health professional if you have any concerns.
• XP has no cash value. XP, levels, streaks, badges and other rewards in the service can't be exchanged for money, sold or transferred to another account.
• We may tune the system. We may change quests, XP amounts, level brackets, streak rules and limits (for example a daily cap on counted steps) to keep things fair and fun. We won't take away XP you've fairly earned, except to correct a mistake or where the fair play rules in section 3 have been broken.
• Things go wrong sometimes. If a quest doesn't record properly because of a fault on our side, tell us and we'll put it right where we reasonably can.

7. Sponsored content, sponsored quests and Double XP

To keep The Player Code free, brands may sponsor some quests, Double XP events or other content. When they do:

• It's always labelled. Sponsored quests, events and content are clearly marked, for example "Sponsored", "Ad" or "Brought to you by" the sponsor's name, so you always know when a brand is involved. We follow the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (the CAP Code).
• Sponsors don't influence reviews or news. A sponsor never gets a say over our verdicts, scores or stories, including about its own games or products.
• Sponsors don't get your personal data. They only receive totals, such as how many people saw, started or completed a quest or tapped a link. The only exception is a prize winner's delivery details, and only with that winner's agreement (see section 8).
• Sponsor links take you to their site. If you tap a sponsor's link, you leave The Player Code. Their own terms and privacy policy apply there, and we aren't responsible for their website, products or offers.
• Suitable for our players. Because players can be as young as 13, we won't run sponsored quests or events for gambling, alcohol, vaping or tobacco, or for food and drink high in fat, salt or sugar, or anything else the CAP Code says mustn't be aimed at under-18s.
• Double XP events multiply the XP you earn for a set time. The start and end times, the multiplier and any sponsor are shown in the app. Events may end early only if something goes wrong, such as a fault or misuse, and XP already earned during the event stays yours.

8. Prize and sponsored quest terms

These terms apply to every prize draw, instant-win code giveaway, competition or reward that we run in the service, whether or not a sponsor is involved (a "promotion"). Each promotion also has its own key details, shown on the quest or campaign page before you take part. If the key details and these terms differ, the key details apply for that promotion.

8.1 The key details

Before you take part, each promotion will tell you:

• the promoter (normally us) and any sponsor;
• what the prize or code is, how many there are, and roughly what each is worth;
• the start and closing date and time (UK time);
• how to take part and any limits, such as one entry per day;
• how winners are chosen (prize draw, instant win, or judged on skill);
• when and how winners will be told, and how to claim;
• who can enter, if that's different from section 8.2.

8.2 Who can enter

• You must be 18 or over and live in the United Kingdom, unless the key details say otherwise. Where a promotion is open to younger players, the key details will say so and we may need a parent or guardian's consent before awarding a prize.
• You need a Player Code account in good standing.
• Employees of The Player Code or the sponsor, their immediate families, and anyone else professionally connected with the promotion can't enter.
• We may ask you to show that you meet these conditions, for example your age and address, before you receive a prize. If you can't, we may choose another winner.

8.3 No purchase necessary

Entry is always free. You'll never need to buy anything to enter or win, including a game, an in-app purchase or a sponsor's product. The only cost is your normal internet or mobile data use.

8.4 Taking part

• Only entries made between the start and closing date and time count. Entries we receive outside those times, or that are incomplete or break these terms, won't be counted.
• A sponsored quest is completed in the same way as any other quest, and the fair play rules in section 3 apply in full.
• We're not responsible for entries that are lost, delayed or not recorded because of a fault outside our reasonable control, such as your phone, your connection or an app store outage.

8.5 How winners are chosen

• Prize draws are picked at random from all valid entries, by a computer process or by a person who is independent of the promotion.
• Instant-win codes are given out as described in the key details, either at random or to the first eligible players to complete the quest, until they run out. The key details will say how many codes there are.
• Competitions and leaderboards based on skill are judged using the criteria in the key details, and the judges' decision is final.

8.6 Codes and rewards

• One code per account, and per person, unless the key details say otherwise.
• Codes can't be sold, swapped or transferred, and must be redeemed before their expiry date, on the sponsor's site or store, under the sponsor's own terms.
• There's no cash alternative unless the key details say there is.
• If a prize becomes unavailable for reasons outside our control, we may replace it with one of equal or greater value.

8.7 Telling winners and claiming

• We'll tell winners in the app and by email to the address on their account, within the time stated in the key details, or otherwise within 7 days of the closing date.
• To claim, follow the instructions in that message within 14 days. We'll only ask for what we need, such as your name, a delivery address and proof that you're eligible. If a prize isn't claimed in time, we may award it to a reserve winner.
• Codes won instantly appear in the app straight away and work the same way.
• Physical prizes are normally delivered within 30 days of a valid claim.

8.8 Disqualification

We may disqualify an entry, withhold or take back a prize or code, and close the account involved, if we reasonably believe someone has cheated or broken these terms. That includes faked steps or locations, multiple or shared accounts, automated tools, or exploiting a bug. A person, not just an automatic check, will review the evidence before anyone is disqualified from a prize, and we'll give you a chance to explain.

8.9 The sponsor's role

We run each promotion and are responsible for running it fairly. Where a sponsor is involved, the sponsor is responsible for supplying the prize or codes, honouring them, and any warranty or after-sales support for its products. The sponsor never receives your personal data from us, except where it needs a winner's name and delivery address to send a prize. We'll only pass those on if you agree when you claim.

8.10 Announcing winners

Under the CAP Code we must be able to show that prizes were properly awarded. For major prizes, we'll make the winner's surname and county available to anyone who asks, or publish them, unless the winner objects. If you object, we may still have to share these details with the Advertising Standards Authority if it asks. We won't use your name, photo or comments in publicity unless you separately agree.

8.11 Changes, cancellation and complaints

• We'll only change, suspend or cancel a promotion if something outside our reasonable control makes that necessary, such as fraud, a technical fault, or a sponsor pulling out. If we do, we'll tell players and treat everyone who has entered fairly.
• Nothing in these prize terms limits liability that can't be limited by law, and your consumer rights aren't affected.
• Questions or complaints about a promotion should go to hello@theplayercode.com. If you're not happy with our answer, you can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority at asa.org.uk.

8A. Supporting us on Patreon

You can choose to support The Player Code through Patreon. Your membership, payments, cancellations and refunds are handled by Patreon under Patreon's own terms. Any supporter perks are described on our Patreon page at patreon.com/theplayercode. You can link your Patreon membership to your Player Code account on your account page, and your membership then works on the site and in the app (see section 2A). Supporting us never buys a review verdict. News, reviews and quests stay free for everyone.

9. Charity tie-ins

Giving back is part of what we do, and we may run campaigns or quests with charity partners once a partnership is confirmed. When we do, we'll say clearly which charity is involved, and exactly how much goes to it or how the amount is worked out, for example a fixed donation for every completed quest, up to a stated maximum. The Player Code isn't a charity. Taking part in a charity quest never costs you anything, and we won't share your personal data with a charity unless you choose to give it to them yourself.

10. Tech Sanctuary

Tech Sanctuary hints, tips and setup guides are our general opinion, given in good faith. Product recommendations are our opinion, and the manufacturer's own warranty and instructions always apply. You stay responsible for your own equipment, electrics and buying decisions. If you send us a consult enquiry, that doesn't create a contract. If we agree to a consult, we'll agree the price, what's included and any separate terms with you in writing first, and our advice will be given with reasonable care and skill.

11. Intellectual property

• Our content. The Player Code name, logos, badge, website and app design, reviews, news articles, quests, trivia, artwork and other original content belong to us or our licensors. You're welcome to read it, share links to it and quote short extracts with credit and a link back. You can't copy, republish or sell it without our written permission.
• Games belong to their makers. Game titles, logos, screenshots, trailers and artwork belong to their publishers and developers. We use them for criticism, review and news reporting, credit them where we can, and naming a game doesn't mean its maker endorses us. Embedded videos are played through YouTube under its own terms.
• Sponsors' brands belong to them. We show a sponsor's name and logo only with its permission.
• What you give us. You keep ownership of anything you send us, like a username, a note on a saved game or an enquiry. You give us permission to store and use it only as needed to run the service for you.
• Think something infringes your rights? Email us with the details and we'll look into it quickly.

12. Our responsibility to you

We work hard to keep the service running and accurate, but we provide it free and "as available". We can't promise it'll always be uninterrupted, error-free or that every detail will be up to date. We may change, pause or withdraw features, and we'll give you notice of significant changes where we reasonably can.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for anything else that can't be limited or excluded by law. Your legal rights as a consumer, including under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, aren't affected. For advice about your rights, contact Citizens Advice.

Subject to that:

• we're responsible for loss or damage you suffer that's a foreseeable result of us breaking these terms or failing to use reasonable care and skill. We're not responsible for loss that wasn't foreseeable;
• the service is for personal, non-commercial use. We're not responsible to you for any loss of profit, business, revenue or opportunity;
• we're not responsible for buying decisions you make based on our reviews, news, release dates or recommendations, or for the content of other websites we link to, including sponsors' websites;
• if digital content we provide damages your device or other digital content because we didn't use reasonable care and skill, we'll either repair the damage or pay you fair compensation.

13. Ending your account

You can stop using the service and delete your account at any time. On the website, go to your account page (My quests), then Delete account. In the app, go to Profile, then Account settings, then Delete account. You can also email us. Your account, XP, quest history and saved games are then removed as explained in our privacy policy, and any unclaimed codes or prize entries end with it.

We may suspend or close your account if you seriously or repeatedly break these terms, if we have to by law, or if we stop running the service. Unless it's an emergency or a serious breach, we'll give you reasonable notice and tell you why.

14. If you use our iPhone app

If you downloaded our app from Apple's App Store, these terms are between you and us, not Apple. We, not Apple, are responsible for the app, its content, support and maintenance, and for dealing with any claims about it, including product liability, legal compliance and intellectual property claims. Apple isn't a sponsor of, and isn't involved in, any of our prize promotions. You must also follow the App Store's own rules for using apps. Subscriptions bought in the app are sold through Apple's App Store and are also covered by Apple's standard terms for in-app purchases. Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these terms and may enforce them against you.

15. Law and disputes

These terms, including the prize terms in section 8, are governed by the law of England and Wales. Any dispute will be dealt with by the courts of England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can also bring proceedings in your local courts, and you keep the protection of any mandatory consumer laws where you live.

If something goes wrong, please talk to us first. Most problems can be sorted out quickly by email.

If any part of these terms turns out to be invalid, the rest still applies. If we don't enforce a term straight away, we can still enforce it later.

16. Contact us

Questions about these terms or a promotion? Email: hello@theplayercode.com. Questions about your personal data: privacy@theplayercode.com. Or write to: The Player Code Ltd, Union House, 111 New Union Street, Coventry, CV1 2NT.