Terms of Service

Welcome to Follow Me 42 (also referred to as "FollowMe42"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of Follow Me 42, including the website at followme42.com, any subdomains, and any related mobile or desktop applications (collectively, the "Service").

The Service is operated by Seven Marks Studios LLC, a Texas limited liability company ("Seven Marks Studios," "we," "us," or "our"). By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

1. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or legal guardian's permission to use the Service and that they have read and agreed to these Terms on your behalf.

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us at the address in Section 21.

If you are accessing the Service from the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or another jurisdiction with a higher age of digital consent, you must meet the minimum age in that jurisdiction (typically 16).

2. Your Account

To use most features of the Service, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate information when creating your account.
• Keep your login credentials confidential. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
• Use only one account per person. Creating multiple accounts to evade bans, abuse features, or otherwise circumvent these Terms is prohibited.
• Notify us promptly at support@followme42.com if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

We authenticate accounts through third-party identity providers (currently Google, Microsoft, and Facebook) and via email/password. Apple Sign-In may be added in a future update. Your use of third-party identity providers is governed by their own terms.

Your chosen player handle, once set, may not be changeable. Handles must comply with our community standards (see Section 4).

3. License to Use the Service

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, Seven Marks Studios grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service for your personal, non-commercial entertainment.

This license does not grant you any ownership in the Service or its content. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

4. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Cheat, exploit bugs, use automation, bots, scripts, or any tool that provides an unfair advantage in gameplay.
• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive the source code of the Service, except to the extent this restriction is prohibited by applicable law.
• Access the Service through any interface other than the ones we provide.
• Scrape, harvest, or extract data from the Service at scale.
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service, our servers, or other users' experience.
• Harass, threaten, impersonate, or abuse other users or our staff.
• Upload, transmit, or display content that is unlawful, infringing, defamatory, obscene, or that violates another person's rights.
• Use the Service for any commercial purpose without our written permission.
• Attempt to circumvent any access controls, rate limits, or security features.
• Use handles, display names, or other user-provided text that is hateful, sexually explicit, impersonates another person, or promotes illegal activity.

Violation of this section may result in warnings, temporary suspension, permanent account termination, forfeiture of any purchased items, and - in serious cases - legal action or referral to law enforcement. We decide what constitutes a violation in our reasonable discretion.

5. User Content

The Service allows you to submit content, including but not limited to player handles, avatars, table names, and any future chat or messaging features ("User Content"). Player handles and table names are validated against a reserved-name list and an obscenity filter.

You retain ownership of your User Content. By submitting User Content, you grant Seven Marks Studios a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, store, display, reproduce, modify, and distribute that content solely for the purpose of operating, improving, and promoting the Service.

Your player handle, avatar, and gameplay statistics may be visible to other players. If you have a public profile, this information is accessible at your profile URL (e.g., https://play.followme42.com/u/{your-handle}). If you host a multiplayer table, your table's public profile page (e.g., https://play.followme42.com/t/{table-name}) displays your handle, table cosmetics, gameplay rules, and game history - accessible to anyone with the link, even without an account.

You represent that you have the right to submit any User Content you provide and that it does not violate anyone's rights or any law.

We may remove or modify User Content at any time, for any reason, without notice.

6. Ownership and Intellectual Property

The Service, including all software, designs, graphics, text, sounds, artwork, game mechanics, the "Follow Me 42" and "FollowMe42" names, the "Seven Marks Studios" name, logos, and all related marks, are owned by Seven Marks Studios LLC or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of any of this material to you. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works based on the Service except as expressly permitted.

7. Multiplayer and Tables

Follow Me 42 supports both solo play against AI opponents and real-time multiplayer games with up to four human players. Multiplayer games take place at named tables hosted by subscribers (see Section 8).

7.1 How multiplayer works

Games are played in real time via WebSocket connections. Tables support two-player and four-player formats. In two-player games, each human player is partnered with an AI teammate. In four-player games, all four seats may be filled by human players.

Players join tables either by entering a passphrase set by the host or by sending a join request that the host approves ("knock and approve"). The host must be present at the table for games to start.

7.2 Host responsibilities

Table hosts control:

• Table cosmetics: table color, domino tile graphic, tile material, and watermark.
• Gameplay rules: nine configurable options including which contract types are allowed (Nello, Splash, Plunge), whether "Follow Me" (no-trump) and doubles-as-trump bids are permitted, maximum opening bid marks, pass-out handling, marks required to win, and AI difficulty level.
• Access control: hosts may kick guests from their table and rearrange seating in four-player games.

Guests at a table play under the host's chosen rules and see the host's chosen cosmetics.

7.3 Game results and ratings

Game results from both solo and multiplayer games are recorded permanently. Results include the final score, participating players, and date played. Multiplayer game results appear on the table's public profile page and on each participant's profile.

Multiplayer games may be rated if eligibility criteria are met. Rated games affect your skill rating. You may hide your rating from other players via your profile settings, but ratings are always calculated.

8. Subscriptions

Subscribers can create and host their own multiplayer tables. Each subscriber may host one table, accessible at a permanent URL in the format https://play.followme42.com/t/{table-name}. Subscribers control their table's cosmetics, gameplay rules, and access settings.

Non-subscribers can join and play at any table they are invited to, but cannot create or host tables of their own.

The current subscription price is $3.99 per month. Pricing is subject to change with advance notice as described in Section 9.4.

Administrators and super-administrators receive table-hosting privileges as part of their operational role, not as a promotional benefit.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue subscription benefits, features, or included services at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. If we materially reduce subscription benefits, we will provide at least 30 days’ notice to active subscribers. No refund or credit is owed for changes to subscription features unless required by applicable law.

We may terminate your subscription at any time for violation of these Terms or for any other reason in our sole discretion. Upon termination by us for cause, no refund is owed for the remaining subscription period.

9. Purchases, Virtual Items, and Refunds

9.1 Purchases

The Service offers paid items (such as digital cosmetics, supporter tiers, or physical merchandise). The following terms apply to these purchases.

All purchases are processed by third-party payment providers (such as Stripe). By making a purchase, you also agree to the terms of those providers. You are responsible for providing accurate billing information and for all taxes associated with your purchases, unless we collect them on your behalf.

All prices are listed in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.

By completing a purchase of any Virtual Item or digital good, you acknowledge that you are acquiring a revocable license to use that item within the Service as described in Section 9.2 - not an ownership interest. Your access to the item may be modified, suspended, or revoked in accordance with these Terms.

9.2 Virtual Items

Any in-game item, cosmetic, badge, avatar, or other virtual good (each a "Virtual Item") you obtain through the Service - whether earned, granted, or purchased - is a limited, personal, non-transferable, revocable license to use that item within the Service.

Virtual Items:

• Have no real-world monetary value and cannot be redeemed for cash.
• Cannot be sold, traded, gifted, or transferred to other users or outside the Service, except through features we explicitly provide.
• May be modified, suspended, or removed by us at any time, including if your account is terminated or if we discontinue the Service.
• Do not constitute property, currency, or a financial instrument.

You acknowledge that you do not own Virtual Items and that they may be lost if your account is terminated or the Service ends.

We may modify the appearance, behavior, availability, or functionality of any Virtual Item at any time - including cosmetics you have purchased - for reasons such as game balance, technical requirements, legal compliance, or creative direction. We are not obligated to replace, compensate, or refund any Virtual Item that is modified or removed.

9.3 Refund Policy

Digital goods (including Virtual Items, supporter donations, and any other digital purchase) are non-refundable once delivered to your account, except where required by applicable law.

Physical merchandise is fulfilled by third-party print-on-demand providers. Refunds or reprints are available for items that are defective, damaged in transit, or materially different from what was ordered, subject to the fulfillment provider's policies. Contact us at support@followme42.com within 30 days of delivery.

If you are a California resident, you have certain rights under California Civil Code Section 1749.5 and related provisions. Nothing in this section limits any refund right that cannot be waived under applicable law.

9.4 Subscriptions

We offer recurring subscriptions that renew automatically at the interval disclosed at the time of purchase until you cancel. You may cancel at any time through your account settings; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. We do not provide partial refunds for unused subscription time unless required by law. We will provide at least 30 days' notice before any price increase takes effect for existing subscribers.

You can cancel your subscription at any time with the same ease as you subscribed - through the subscription management page in your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period, and you will retain access to subscriber features until then.

9.5 Chargebacks

Initiating a chargeback without first contacting us to resolve a billing issue may result in suspension or termination of your account and forfeiture of any Virtual Items.

10. Game Integrity

10.1 Disconnections and AI substitution

If you lose your connection during a multiplayer game, the Service provides a brief grace period for you to reconnect. If you do not reconnect in time, an AI player will be substituted into your seat for the remainder of the game. Games in which an AI substitution occurs are not eligible for rated play, meaning neither player's skill rating will be affected.

10.2 Achievements and progression

Achievements, XP, and progression unlocks earned through gameplay are permanent and cannot be transferred between accounts. Cosmetic items (avatars, badges) unlocked through achievements or gameplay are tied to your account.

11. Communications

We may send you emails related to the Service, including:

• Account notifications (such as welcome messages and account changes).
• Service announcements (such as new features or policy updates).
• Product announcements and launch invitations.
• Optional product updates and newsletters.

Each non-transactional email includes a one-click unsubscribe link. You can opt out of optional emails at any time. Transactional emails required for account operation (such as account deletion confirmations) cannot be opted out of while your account is active.

12. Third-Party Services

The Service integrates with or links to third-party services, including but not limited to Google, Microsoft, and Facebook (authentication; Apple Sign-In may be added in a future update), email/password authentication via Firebase, Cloudflare (hosting, infrastructure, database, and email sending), Sentry (error tracking), Stripe (payments), and Printful or similar providers (merchandise fulfillment). Your use of those services is governed by their own terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third parties.

13. Privacy

Our Privacy Policy, available at https://followme42.com/privacy, describes how we collect, use, and share information about you. By using the Service, you agree to the practices described there.

14. Termination

14.1 By You

You may delete your account at any time using the self-service account deletion feature in the Service, or by contacting us at support@followme42.com. An administrator may also delete your account for compliance or moderation purposes.

14.2 By Us

We may suspend, restrict, or terminate your account and access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including if we believe you have violated these Terms or pose a risk to the Service or its users.

14.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service ends immediately.
• If you hosted a multiplayer table, the table is removed and its public profile page is no longer accessible.
• You forfeit any Virtual Items, earned achievements, handles, and account data, except as required by law or our Privacy Policy.
• Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination - including ownership, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution - will continue to apply.

We may retain backups, logs, and records as required for legal, operational, or security purposes.

15. Changes to the Service

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time, with or without notice. We are not liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice through the Service, by email, or by posting a notice on the website. The updated Terms take effect on the "Effective date" shown at the top. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the Service.

17. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SEVEN MARKS STUDIOS LLC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS, OR THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED. WE DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY CONTENT, INCLUDING GAME OUTCOMES, RATINGS, OR LEADERBOARDS.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

18. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SEVEN MARKS STUDIOS LLC AND ITS MEMBERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, GOODWILL, OR VIRTUAL ITEMS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) ONE HUNDRED UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($100) OR (B) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO SEVEN MARKS STUDIOS LLC IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION LIMITS LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

19. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Seven Marks Studios LLC and its members, officers, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use of the Service;
• Your violation of these Terms;
• Your violation of any law or the rights of any third party;
• Any User Content you submit.

We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you will cooperate with us.

20. Dispute Resolution

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT AND TO HAVE A JURY TRIAL.

20.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute proceeding, you agree to first contact us at legal@followme42.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 60 days. Most concerns can be resolved this way.

20.2 Binding Arbitration

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, you and Seven Marks Studios agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service - including the formation, existence, breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, validity, or applicability of these Terms, or the arbitrability of any dispute - will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules then in effect, and not by a court or jury. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1–16, governs this section.

If you initiate arbitration, we will pay all AAA filing and administration fees beyond the initial filing fee you would have paid to file a complaint in court. If the arbitrator finds that your claim was not frivolous, we will reimburse your initial filing fee as well.

The arbitration will be conducted in English. Unless you and we agree otherwise, any in-person hearing will take place in Denton County, Texas, or - at your election - via telephone or video conference.

20.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND SEVEN MARKS STUDIOS AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Unless both you and we agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate or join more than one person’s or party’s claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding.

If this class action waiver is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration section (Section 20.2 through 20.5) shall be null and void, and the dispute will proceed in court under the venue provisions of Section 20.6.

20.4 Small Claims Exception

Notwithstanding the above, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court for disputes or claims within the jurisdiction of that court, provided the action remains in small claims court and is not removed or appealed to a court of general jurisdiction.

20.5 30-Day Opt-Out

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to legal@followme42.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms, stating your name, email address associated with your account, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of the arbitration provision. If you opt out, you may pursue claims in court as described in Section 20.6. Opting out will not affect any other provision of these Terms.

20.6 Venue (if arbitration does not apply)

For any dispute not subject to arbitration (including if you have validly opted out), exclusive jurisdiction and venue will lie in the state or federal courts located in Denton County, Texas, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

20.7 Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or related to them or the Service are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply.

20.8 Time Limit

Any claim must be filed within one (1) year after it arises, or it is permanently barred, except where a longer period is required by law.

21. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to:

22. Miscellaneous

• Entire agreement. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced, are the entire agreement between you and Seven Marks Studios regarding the Service.
• Severability. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
• No waiver. Our failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of our right to do so later.
• Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our written consent. We may assign these Terms at any time without notice.
• No agency. Nothing in these Terms creates an agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship.
• Force majeure. We are not liable for failure or delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
• Headings. Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.