You read that right. The terms and conditions of Lost Ark explicitly state that only “living persons” can play the MMORPG Lost Ark. Unless, other life forms conquer the Earth and become our new “Overlords”.
In various industries, it sometimes happens that companies allow themselves small jokes in their terms of service. For example, the former British retailer Gamestation famously collected the souls of their customers en masse through a change in their terms of service.
If you have read the terms of use for Lost Ark more closely, you might have looked a bit confused.
This is stated in the terms of use: While the terms of use for Lost Ark initially seem completely normal, the 5th point addresses a rather peculiar “issue”. Apparently, the publisher Amazon wants to protect itself in case the Earth is taken over by “aliens, robots, monkeys, or similar beings”.
If that happens, they will automatically be able to play Lost Ark as well. Not before.
To enter into this contract and use the games, you must be a living person (i.e., no companies, no organizations, no artificial intelligence (for good or evil purposes), not extraterrestrial, no sentient non-human primate, etc.).
This restriction, however, does not apply in the event of a widespread takeover of the planet Earth by aliens, robots, monkeys, or similar beings. In this case, we welcome our extraterrestrial, robotic, monkey-like, or other Overlords (collectively referred to as “Your Eminences”) to play our games, and Your Eminences shall be subject to the terms of this contract accordingly, commencing from the date of takeover and for all periods thereafter until the date human rule is restored.
Lost Ark Terms of Use
However, this rather strange sub-point of the terms of use is not the end. Amazon as a company must also consider extreme cases such as overload of their servers or forced migration of humanity to Mars.
Accordingly, the text further explains that in such an event, that is, migration, Amazon will strive to make Lost Ark available in the new regions.
Under the further condition and in the event that the takeover necessitates the forced migration of the human species to Mars or another celestial body where the games are not operational at that time, we will make commercially reasonable efforts to (a) expand the locations where the games are available and waive the applicable restrictions in accordance with Section 5.2 below and (b) enable local game servers as soon as possible, each subject to the availability of necessary interplanetary logistics, supply facilities, sustainable life support systems, asteroid deflection systems, local businesses or distribution services, and the rule of law as may be provided by our affiliates, our third-party providers, celestial beings or state or non-state organizations.
Lost Ark Terms of Use
In fact, it seems to be a joke that Amazon uses for all of their gaming products. If you now look at the terms of use for New World, you will find the same wording. Even Amazon’s first MMO can be played by aliens and robots if they conquer the Earth.
“I thought that was just a meme!”
These reactions exist: The funny wording in an otherwise very dry text is well received by many fans of Lost Ark and simply users who have become aware of it. The tweet that originally referred to this point has now received over 8,600 upvotes and 1,200 retweets.
Some people were initially skeptical as to whether the text actually came from the terms of use. Others responded directly with their own memes and jokes.
- Zach replied with “You know no one reads this. It’s the best thing I’ve read in the terms of service so far.”
- Apparently Me wrote: “We welcome them” and posted a picture of a dancing alien.
- Mmurgle, on the other hand, was outraged: “There’s nothing about the residents of the shadow worlds. Wow, ok, I see.”
But before migration to Mars is even a question, Amazon must first cope with the rush of players on the servers here on Earth. Since early access on February 8, there has been a strong influx, and the queues fluctuate between 2,000 players on less busy servers and 14,000+ players on full servers.
The advertising on Twitch and the high interest in the MMORPG gave Lost Ark one of the highest peaks on Steam:
Lost Ark breaks 1.3 million players on Steam – Only 1 other game has done that
