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PHOENIX DOWNTOWN STUDIOS
BallSlop
Legal & Safety Package
EULA • Content Rules • Privacy • Copyright • Player Safety
Implementation Draft 0.5.1-dev
Combined from the in-game English legal package • Last source update: September 9, 2026
Working legal draft. This document combines the current player-facing text used by the game.
Included policies
• BallSlop End User License Agreement
• BallSlop Code of Conduct and User-Generated Content Rules
• BallSlop Privacy Policy
• BallSlop Copyright Complaints and Takedown Policy
• BallSlop Player Safety and Parent Guide
1. BALLSLOP END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
1.1 Agreement and Operator
This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is between you and Charles Valentin-Stulck, operating under the Phoenix Downtown Studios name (“Phoenix Downtown Studios,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), regarding BallSlop, including its software, updates, online features, communication tools, custom-paint tools, and related services (collectively, the “Game”).
By selecting “Accept,” installing, launching, accessing, or using the Game, you agree to this Agreement, the BallSlop Privacy Policy, the BallSlop Code of Conduct and User-Generated Content Rules, and notices presented in the Game. If you do not agree, select “Decline” and do not use the Game.
1.2 Eligibility and Minors
You must be at least 13 years old, or any higher minimum age required where you live, to use BallSlop online services. Online matchmaking, voice communication, and shared user-generated-content features are not intended for and may not be used by children under 13.
If you are at least 13 but below the age of legal majority where you live, you represent that you have permission from a parent or legal guardian and that the parent or guardian has reviewed this Agreement where applicable law requires it.
1.3 Limited License
Subject to your compliance with this Agreement, we grant you a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to install and use the Game for non-commercial entertainment through an authorized Steam account and supported device.
The Game is licensed, not sold. We and our licensors retain all rights in developer-created code, systems, art, audio, branding, and other content.
1.4 Restrictions
Except where applicable law expressly permits, you may not:
• Redistribute, sell, rent, sublicense, or commercially exploit the Game.
• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive source code.
• Bypass authentication, moderation, safety, or technical protections.
• Create or use cheats, bots, exploits, unauthorized modifications, or malicious software.
• Interfere with matchmaking, networks, another player’s device, or the normal operation of the Game.
• Use the Game for unlawful activity or to violate another person’s rights.
1.5 Steam and Third-Party Services
The Game depends on Steam and may use Steam identity and ownership verification, lobbies and invitations, peer-to-peer or relay networking, push-to-talk and optional open-microphone voice functions, Steam Cloud, Steam Stats and Achievements, Steam Overlay functions, and related Steam services that are implemented in the shipping build. Epic Online Services is not used. Your use of Steam is governed separately by Valve’s agreements and policies.
We are not responsible for Steam outages, Valve account actions, or changes to third-party services outside our control. Online features may require an internet connection and authenticated Steam account.
1.6 Player-Created Artwork and User Content
The Game may allow you to create, save, display, and transmit custom artwork, including sphere paint, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, as well as names, reports, and other material (“User Content”). You retain ownership of the rights you lawfully hold in your original User Content. We do not claim ownership of player-created artwork.
You grant us a limited, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to cache, copy, format, resize, transmit, display, synchronize authorized personal presets, and otherwise process User Content only as reasonably necessary to operate the Game, provide multiplayer sessions, maintain safety, investigate reports, comply with law, and enforce our policies. This is an operational license only and does not transfer ownership of your User Content.
This license lasts only while and to the extent reasonably necessary for those purposes. It may continue for copies already transmitted beyond our control and for material retained in reports, backups, enforcement records, or legal records in accordance with the BallSlop Privacy Policy and applicable law. We cannot retrieve or delete copies independently recorded or retained by other players.
This operational license does not authorize us to use your artwork in advertising or marketing without separate permission, apart from incidental appearance in gameplay footage lawfully captured by players or in footage we are otherwise permitted to use.
You represent that you own or have permission to use everything you create or transmit. You are solely responsible for any character, logo, trademark, copyrighted image, likeness, or other third-party material you reproduce. The custom-art tools do not grant permission to use someone else’s intellectual property, and we do not endorse or verify player-created content.
We may hide, remove, block, disable, or decline to transmit User Content that we reasonably believe violates law, rights, this Agreement, or our safety rules.
1.7 Voice and Player Communications
The Game may provide push-to-talk voice communication and an optional “Open Mic” mode. Push-to-talk captures and transmits microphone audio while you hold the assigned talk control. If you deliberately enable Open Mic, the Game may capture and transmit microphone audio automatically during supported lobby and match screens while you remain in the current voice-supported room, including when that room moves between its lobby and match. Open Mic may pause while legal, safety, customization, or microphone-test screens own the microphone.
Open Mic is disabled by default, is not saved as a launch default, and turns off when you leave the room, quit the match, or close the Game. While Open Mic is enabled, holding the assigned talk control temporarily mutes transmission until you release it. The Game presents an additional notice before Open Mic is enabled for the first time during each launch.
Voice is transmitted to other players during a session. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice communications. Other players may hear, record, stream, or capture gameplay and communications using software, hardware, or platform features outside our control. Do not treat voice communications as private and do not share sensitive personal information.
You are responsible for what you say or transmit, including conversations or background audio transmitted through Open Mic. Harassment, hate speech, threats, sexual content, child exploitation, doxxing, disruptive audio, and other prohibited communications may result in muting, removal, suspension, or permanent loss of online features.
1.8 Code of Conduct
You must comply with the BallSlop Code of Conduct and User-Generated Content Rules, which are incorporated into this Agreement.
1.9 Moderation and Enforcement
We may investigate reports and take actions reasonably necessary to protect players, enforce these terms, comply with law, or protect the Game. Actions may include warnings, forced default customization, content removal, muting, blocking communication, match removal, matchmaking restrictions, temporary suspension, permanent suspension of online or user-generated-content features, or termination of this license.
We may act without prior notice for serious or credible threats, child exploitation, hate content, severe harassment, repeated infringement, cheating, security threats, or attempts to evade enforcement. We do not guarantee that every violation will be prevented or immediately reviewed.
Where required by law or where we determine appropriate, we may provide a reason or a method to request review. Nothing in this Agreement removes rights that cannot legally be waived.
1.10 Reports and Evidence
A report may include SteamIDs, display names, lobby or match identifiers, timestamps, mode, build version, relevant custom artwork when available, report category, and information voluntarily supplied by the reporting player. The Game saves a local report record and opens a pre-addressed email; nothing is sent to Phoenix Downtown Studios unless the reporting player completes and sends that email. We do not record or attach voice. Knowingly false or abusive reports are prohibited.
1.11 Copyright and Rights Complaints
Rights holders may submit complaints under the BallSlop Copyright Complaints and Takedown Policy. We may remove or disable content, restrict repeat infringers, and preserve information reasonably necessary to address a complaint or legal obligation.
1.12 Privacy
Our handling of personal information is described in the BallSlop Privacy Policy.
1.13 Updates and Availability
We may update, patch, rebalance, add, remove, suspend, or discontinue features or online services. We may require updates to continue using the Game. We do not guarantee uninterrupted operation, continued availability of a specific feature, or compatibility with every device or network.
1.14 Online Safety
Online play involves other players whose conduct we do not fully control. Although we prohibit abusive and unlawful content and may provide mute, block, hide, report, and moderation tools, we cannot guarantee that you will never encounter offensive or inappropriate player-created content.
1.15 Disclaimers
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE GAME AND ONLINE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN DISCLAIMERS.
1.16 Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PHOENIX DOWNTOWN STUDIOS AND ITS AFFILIATES, CONTRACTORS, AND LICENSORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, GOODWILL, OR USE, ARISING FROM THE GAME, PLAYER CONDUCT, OR USER CONTENT.
ANY AGGREGATE LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED WILL BE LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE GAME DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM OR THE MINIMUM AMOUNT REQUIRED BY LAW. THIS SECTION DOES NOT LIMIT LIABILITY THAT CANNOT LEGALLY BE LIMITED.
1.17 Responsibility for Your Breach
To the extent permitted by law, you are responsible for losses, claims, and reasonable costs arising from your unlawful User Content, infringement of another person’s rights, misuse of online services, or material breach of this Agreement. This does not require you to indemnify us for our own unlawful conduct or negligence where prohibited by law.
1.18 Suspension and Termination
You may stop using and uninstall the Game at any time. We may suspend or terminate your license or access to online features if you materially breach this Agreement, create a safety or security risk, infringe rights, evade enforcement, or if continued service is not reasonably possible.
1.19 Governing Law and Disputes
This Agreement is governed by California law and applicable United States federal law, without regard to conflict-of-law rules, except where consumer-protection law in your place of residence requires otherwise.
Subject to rights that cannot be waived, disputes will be brought in state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California.
1.20 Language and Changes
The player-facing legal package is provided in English at launch. The English version controls to the extent permitted by law; mandatory rights in a player’s country are not waived. We may update this Agreement. Material changes may be announced in the Game, through Steam, or on any future official website and may require renewed acceptance. The version number and effective date will identify the version accepted.
1.21 Contact
Support: ballslopped@gmail.com
Privacy: ballslopped@gmail.com
Copyright: ballslopped@gmail.com
Official website: Not currently available.
2. BALLSLOP CODE OF CONDUCT AND USER-GENERATED CONTENT RULES
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
These rules apply to custom artwork, including sphere art, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, as well as voice communication, player names, lobby behavior, reports, matchmaking, and all other BallSlop online features.
2.1 Treat Other Players Like People
Do not:
• Harass, threaten, stalk, intimidate, bully, or target another player for abuse.
• Use slurs, hate speech, derogatory stereotypes, or discriminatory attacks based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, age, or other protected or personal characteristics.
• Display or promote hate symbols, extremist propaganda, or content praising violence against a protected group.
2.2 Keep Paint and Communications Lawful
Do not:
• Create or transmit pornography, explicit sexual content, sexualized nudity, or obscene imagery.
• Create, request, share, or discuss sexual content involving minors.
• Make credible threats, encourage real-world violence, promote criminal activity, or encourage self-harm.
• Reveal private personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, financial information, login credentials, or private communications.
• Impersonate another person, developer, moderator, company, or rights holder in a misleading manner.
2.3 Respect Intellectual Property
• Only create or share material you own or have permission to use.
• The custom-art tools do not grant permission to reproduce protected characters, logos, trademarks, or artwork.
• You—not Phoenix Downtown Studios—are responsible for choosing to reproduce third-party material.
• We may remove or disable content following a rights-holder complaint or where infringement is apparent.
2.4 Do Not Ruin the Game
Do not:
• Cheat, exploit bugs for unfair advantage, use modified clients to bypass rules, manipulate matchmaking, attack networks, or interfere with another player’s device or connection.
• Repeatedly idle, collude, grief, block objectives, or sabotage matches for the purpose of preventing others from playing.
• Spam voice, abuse soundboards, generate extreme noise, or repeatedly scream into the microphone to interfere with play.
• If you enable Open Mic, you remain responsible for background conversations, music, television, private information, and other audio your microphone transmits. Use the quick-mute control or turn Open Mic off when appropriate.
• Evade mutes, blocks, suspensions, content restrictions, or bans through alternate accounts or modified clients.
• Submit knowingly false, retaliatory, or abusive reports.
2.5 Enforcement
Depending on severity, evidence, history, and risk, enforcement may include a warning, forced default appearance, content removal, mute, match removal, matchmaking restriction, temporary suspension, permanent suspension of online/voice/custom-art features, or termination of access.
Severe violations may result in immediate permanent action without prior warning. We may preserve relevant information and share it with Valve, service providers, rights holders, legal counsel, or authorities where reasonably necessary to investigate abuse, protect players, enforce rights, or comply with law.
We do not promise that every violation will be detected or prevented. Players should use mute, hide-art, block, and report controls and leave sessions that feel unsafe.
3. BALLSLOP PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
3.1 Who We Are
BallSlop is provided by Charles Valentin-Stulck under the Phoenix Downtown Studios name. Contact information appears at the end of this policy.
3.2 Information Involved in the Game
Depending on the launch configuration and features used, the Game may process:
• Steam account information, including SteamID, display name, authentication/ownership status, lobby membership, and platform permissions.
• Match and networking information, including lobby ID, selected mode and player count, host/client role, connection state, game synchronization data, match results, network routing information, and network diagnostics. Depending on the route established for a direct Steam peer-to-peer connection, network address and port information may be processed by Valve and may be technically available to the host or another session participant.
• Gameplay statistics and achievements, including matches, splats, wins, placements, mode progress, and achievement status.
• Settings and save data, including controls, audio settings, safety preferences, customizer settings, and the legal-document version accepted.
• Custom artwork, including sphere paint, SLOP TAG artwork, custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, temporary copies transmitted to other players, and optional personal presets saved locally and/or through Steam Cloud. Presets are not intended to be publicly searchable or placed in a developer-operated public gallery.
• Voice communication, consisting of compressed microphone audio captured while push-to-talk is held or while the player has deliberately enabled the optional Open Mic mode in a voice-supported room. Open Mic is disabled by default, is not saved as a launch default, and turns off when the player leaves that room or closes the Game. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice content.
• Reports and moderation information that a player chooses to create and send to us, including reporter and reported SteamIDs, display names, timestamps, match identifiers, report category, relevant custom artwork when available, notes, and enforcement history. The Game first saves report information locally; Phoenix Downtown Studios receives it only if the player completes and sends the pre-addressed email.
• Technical information contained in local game logs, such as build version, operating system, device or graphics information, errors, and performance data. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not automatically receive these logs at launch; a player may voluntarily submit them when requesting support.
• Communications sent directly to us, including support emails, privacy requests, copyright notices, and feedback.
3.3 How Information Is Used
Information may be used to:
• Authenticate Steam users and verify ownership.
• Create, discover, join, and operate online lobbies and matches.
• Transmit gameplay, custom artwork (including sphere art, SLOP TAG art, and custom MOUTH art and mouth-pose frames), and voice selected by the player through push-to-talk or optional Open Mic to session participants.
• Save settings, art presets, stats, achievements, and legal acceptance version.
• Provide safety tools, investigate reports, enforce rules, prevent fraud and cheating, and protect players.
• Respond to support, privacy, and rights requests.
• Maintain, debug, secure, and improve the Game.
• Comply with law and protect legal rights.
3.4 Voice Communications
Voice is intended to be ephemeral. With push-to-talk, the Game captures and compresses microphone input while you hold the assigned talk control and transmits it to other players. If you deliberately enable Open Mic, the Game may capture and transmit microphone input automatically during supported lobby and match screens while you remain in the current voice-supported room, including during its lobby and match. Open Mic may pause while legal, safety, customization, or microphone-test screens own the microphone.
Open Mic is disabled by default. The setting is not saved as a launch default and turns off when you leave the room, quit the match, or close the Game. While Open Mic is enabled, holding the assigned talk control temporarily mutes transmission until you release it. The Game provides a visible local indicator while Open Mic is enabled and presents an additional notice before the feature is first enabled during each launch.
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice-chat content. Audio is compressed and transmitted for live communication. Other players may independently hear, record, stream, or capture gameplay and voice using tools outside our control. Do not share sensitive personal information through voice, and remember that Open Mic may transmit background conversations or sounds within range of your microphone.
3.5 Custom Artwork
Custom artwork may be stored on your device and, if enabled, synchronized through Steam Cloud. During multiplayer, the Game transmits or makes artwork available to other players so your customized sphere, SLOP TAGs, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames can be displayed.
We do not claim ownership. We process artwork only as needed to operate the Game, apply your settings, provide authorized presets, investigate reports, comply with law, and enforce rules.
3.6 Steam and Service Providers
Valve processes information under its own policies when you use Steam. The Game may rely on Valve for identity and ownership verification, lobbies and invitations, peer-to-peer and relay networking, push-to-talk and optional open-microphone voice functions, Steam Cloud, Steam Stats and Achievements, Steam Overlay functions, and platform moderation. BallSlop does not use Epic Online Services.
Steam networking may establish a direct peer-to-peer connection or use a Valve relay. Depending on the connection route and Valve’s networking configuration, network addresses and related connection metadata may be processed by Valve and may be technically available to the host or another session participant. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not use that information to identify players except as reasonably necessary for network operation, security, troubleshooting, enforcement, or legal compliance.
No third-party advertising, analytics, or automatic crash-reporting provider is planned for launch. Any future contractor or service used for hosting, support, security, analytics, crash reporting, legal compliance, moderation, or other processing must be identified in an updated policy before that processing begins.
3.7 Information Shared With Other Players
Online play necessarily shares your in-game identity as displayed by the Game, sphere appearance, custom artwork including SLOP TAGs and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, gameplay actions, match results, and voice you choose to transmit through push-to-talk or Open Mic. Depending on the Steam networking route, network address and connection information may also be technically available to the host or another session participant. Enabling Open Mic may transmit background audio captured by the selected microphone. Players should not expect information intentionally transmitted in a multiplayer session to remain private, and other participants may record or stream the session.
3.8 Sale and Targeted Advertising
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intend to sell personal information or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. If that changes, this policy and required controls must be updated before the change occurs.
3.9 Retention
• Voice content: not intentionally retained by Phoenix Downtown Studios.
• Local and Steam Cloud saves: retained until deleted, synchronization is disabled, the Game is reset, or the platform removes them, subject to Steam functionality.
• Steam Stats/Achievements: retained through Steam according to platform functionality and account settings.
• Legal acceptance marker: retained locally and/or through Steam Cloud for convenience. A server-side acceptance record may be added later and would require an updated policy.
• Reports and enforcement records: unsubstantiated reports are deleted when no longer reasonably needed; ordinary substantiated reports may be retained for up to 12 months; active suspensions and bans are retained while reasonably needed to enforce them; and credible threats, child-exploitation matters, fraud, litigation, or legal requests may be retained longer where reasonably necessary or legally required.
• Support and legal correspondence: retained as reasonably necessary to respond, keep records, resolve disputes, and comply with law.
3.10 Security
We use reasonable safeguards appropriate to the information we control. No system is perfectly secure. Players are responsible for securing their Steam accounts and devices.
3.11 Children
BallSlop online services are intended for users aged 13 and older and are not directed to children under 13. Children under 13 may not use online matchmaking, voice, or public user-generated-content features.
If we learn that we collected personal information from a child under 13 without legally valid authorization, we will take reasonable steps to delete it and restrict the account from affected services.
3.12 Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live and which laws apply, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, or information about processing, and to object to or withdraw consent for certain processing. Rights may be subject to legal exceptions and identity verification.
BallSlop is intended for worldwide availability through Steam where permitted, with English-only game and legal text at launch. California residents may have rights under applicable California privacy laws. EEA, UK, Canadian, and other residents may have additional rights under local law.
3.13 Do Not Track and Global Privacy Controls
The Game does not use browser-based tracking for targeted advertising. If an official legal or support website is launched, its privacy notice will describe any cookies, hosting logs, and applicable browser privacy signals based on the site’s actual configuration.
3.14 Changes
We may update this policy to reflect changes in the Game, services, law, or practices. Material changes may be announced in the Game, through Steam, or on any future official website and may require renewed acceptance.
3.15 Contact
Privacy: ballslopped@gmail.com
Support: ballslopped@gmail.com
Official website: Not currently available.
4. BALLSLOP COPYRIGHT COMPLAINTS AND TAKEDOWN POLICY
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
4.1 Player Responsibility
Players may create custom artwork, including sphere art, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, but may only use material they own or have permission to use. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not claim ownership of player-created art and does not grant permission to use third-party characters, logos, trademarks, artwork, or other protected material.
4.2 Copyright Complaint
A copyright owner or authorized agent who believes material available through BallSlop infringes copyright may send a written notice to ballslopped@gmail.com. The notice should include:
Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed, or a representative list.
Identification of the disputed material and information reasonably sufficient to locate it or identify the relevant user.
The complainant’s name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
A good-faith statement that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the notice is accurate and the complainant is authorized to act.
A physical or electronic signature.
4.3 Our Response
We may request additional information, remove or disable material, prevent its transmission, notify the affected player, preserve relevant records, or restrict accounts. We may terminate or restrict repeat infringers under a reasonably implemented policy.
4.4 Counter-Notice
Where applicable, an affected player may submit a counter-notice containing the information required by law, including identification of removed material, a statement under penalty of perjury regarding mistake or misidentification, consent to appropriate court jurisdiction, contact information, and a signature.
We may restore material only when legally permitted and are not required to resolve private ownership disputes between players and rights holders.
4.5 Trademark, Publicity, and Other Rights
Complaints involving trademarks, likenesses, privacy, or other rights should identify the rights claimed, the material involved, why the use is unauthorized, and the complainant’s authority and contact information.
4.6 False Notices
Knowingly submitting a materially false complaint or counter-notice may create legal liability. Parties should seek legal advice before submitting a formal notice.
5. BALLSLOP PLAYER SAFETY AND PARENT GUIDE
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
5.1 What Players and Parents Should Know
BallSlop includes online multiplayer, player-created custom artwork (including sphere artwork, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames), push-to-talk voice communication, and an optional Open Mic mode. Other players—not Phoenix Downtown Studios—create the content of their drawings and communications.
We prohibit hate symbols, hate speech, harassment, threats, sexual content, child exploitation, doxxing, infringement, cheating, and disruptive voice abuse. No moderation system can guarantee that prohibited content will never appear.
5.2 Age Position
BallSlop online services are for players aged 13 and older. Children under 13 may not use online matchmaking, voice communication, or public custom-art features.
Players aged 13 to the age of legal majority should involve a parent or guardian as required by law and household rules.
5.3 Available Safety Controls
BallSlop provides:
• Mute a specific player.
• Adjust or disable incoming voice.
• Hide a specific player’s custom sphere, SLOP TAG, and custom MOUTH artwork.
• Hide all remote custom artwork and show safe default sphere and mouth appearances.
• Block a player and avoid rematching with that SteamID.
• Report a player by category.
• Host kick for private and player-hosted rooms.
• Clear notices before first use of voice, before enabling Open Mic during each launch, and before first transmission of custom art.
5.4 Voice Safety
Push-to-talk is the default voice mode. Open Mic is optional, disabled by default, and must be deliberately enabled for the current voice-supported room. It transmits automatically during supported lobby and match screens, may pause while legal, safety, customization, or microphone-test screens own the microphone, is not saved as a launch default, and turns off when the player leaves the room, quits the match, or closes the Game.
While Open Mic is enabled, holding the assigned talk control temporarily mutes microphone transmission until the control is released. A visible local microphone status and speaker portrait indicate that Open Mic remains enabled. Players should turn Open Mic off or use quick mute before private conversations, loud background noise, music, television, or other audio they do not intend to share.
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice-chat content. However, other players may record, stream, or capture gameplay and voice through tools outside our control. Players should not share real names, addresses, schools, phone numbers, account credentials, financial information, or other sensitive information.
Muting another player takes effect immediately and locally, without waiting for a host or developer response.
5.5 Custom-Art Safety
The “Hide All Custom Art” setting replaces every remote custom sphere and custom MOUTH design with a safe default and hides remote SLOP TAG artwork while preserving assigned gameplay color and readability. The setting is available through supported lobby and in-match safety menus.
Custom artwork remains visible by default. Mute, hide-player-art, and hide-all-art controls are protective options selected by the player and take effect immediately and locally.
Submitting a report does not automatically hide the reported player’s artwork. The reporting player can immediately use HIDE ART or BLOCK. A report saves a local record and, when available, a sphere-art snapshot, copies a report summary to the clipboard, and opens a pre-addressed email. Nothing is sent to Phoenix Downtown Studios unless the reporting player completes and sends that email.
5.6 Reports and Emergencies
Players should use the in-game report tools for rule violations. Credible threats, child exploitation, or immediate danger may also need to be reported to Steam and appropriate authorities.
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not provide emergency services and cannot guarantee real-time review.
5.7 Parent and Household Controls
Parents and guardians should use Steam household and parental controls, review BallSlop’s settings, disable voice where appropriate, enable safe-art viewing, and discuss online privacy with teenagers. BallSlop online services are not available to children under 13.
BallSlop
Legal & Safety Package
EULA • Content Rules • Privacy • Copyright • Player Safety
Implementation Draft 0.5.1-dev
Combined from the in-game English legal package • Last source update: September 9, 2026
Working legal draft. This document combines the current player-facing text used by the game.
Included policies
• BallSlop End User License Agreement
• BallSlop Code of Conduct and User-Generated Content Rules
• BallSlop Privacy Policy
• BallSlop Copyright Complaints and Takedown Policy
• BallSlop Player Safety and Parent Guide
1. BALLSLOP END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
1.1 Agreement and Operator
This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is between you and Charles Valentin-Stulck, operating under the Phoenix Downtown Studios name (“Phoenix Downtown Studios,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), regarding BallSlop, including its software, updates, online features, communication tools, custom-paint tools, and related services (collectively, the “Game”).
By selecting “Accept,” installing, launching, accessing, or using the Game, you agree to this Agreement, the BallSlop Privacy Policy, the BallSlop Code of Conduct and User-Generated Content Rules, and notices presented in the Game. If you do not agree, select “Decline” and do not use the Game.
1.2 Eligibility and Minors
You must be at least 13 years old, or any higher minimum age required where you live, to use BallSlop online services. Online matchmaking, voice communication, and shared user-generated-content features are not intended for and may not be used by children under 13.
If you are at least 13 but below the age of legal majority where you live, you represent that you have permission from a parent or legal guardian and that the parent or guardian has reviewed this Agreement where applicable law requires it.
1.3 Limited License
Subject to your compliance with this Agreement, we grant you a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to install and use the Game for non-commercial entertainment through an authorized Steam account and supported device.
The Game is licensed, not sold. We and our licensors retain all rights in developer-created code, systems, art, audio, branding, and other content.
1.4 Restrictions
Except where applicable law expressly permits, you may not:
• Redistribute, sell, rent, sublicense, or commercially exploit the Game.
• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive source code.
• Bypass authentication, moderation, safety, or technical protections.
• Create or use cheats, bots, exploits, unauthorized modifications, or malicious software.
• Interfere with matchmaking, networks, another player’s device, or the normal operation of the Game.
• Use the Game for unlawful activity or to violate another person’s rights.
1.5 Steam and Third-Party Services
The Game depends on Steam and may use Steam identity and ownership verification, lobbies and invitations, peer-to-peer or relay networking, push-to-talk and optional open-microphone voice functions, Steam Cloud, Steam Stats and Achievements, Steam Overlay functions, and related Steam services that are implemented in the shipping build. Epic Online Services is not used. Your use of Steam is governed separately by Valve’s agreements and policies.
We are not responsible for Steam outages, Valve account actions, or changes to third-party services outside our control. Online features may require an internet connection and authenticated Steam account.
1.6 Player-Created Artwork and User Content
The Game may allow you to create, save, display, and transmit custom artwork, including sphere paint, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, as well as names, reports, and other material (“User Content”). You retain ownership of the rights you lawfully hold in your original User Content. We do not claim ownership of player-created artwork.
You grant us a limited, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to cache, copy, format, resize, transmit, display, synchronize authorized personal presets, and otherwise process User Content only as reasonably necessary to operate the Game, provide multiplayer sessions, maintain safety, investigate reports, comply with law, and enforce our policies. This is an operational license only and does not transfer ownership of your User Content.
This license lasts only while and to the extent reasonably necessary for those purposes. It may continue for copies already transmitted beyond our control and for material retained in reports, backups, enforcement records, or legal records in accordance with the BallSlop Privacy Policy and applicable law. We cannot retrieve or delete copies independently recorded or retained by other players.
This operational license does not authorize us to use your artwork in advertising or marketing without separate permission, apart from incidental appearance in gameplay footage lawfully captured by players or in footage we are otherwise permitted to use.
You represent that you own or have permission to use everything you create or transmit. You are solely responsible for any character, logo, trademark, copyrighted image, likeness, or other third-party material you reproduce. The custom-art tools do not grant permission to use someone else’s intellectual property, and we do not endorse or verify player-created content.
We may hide, remove, block, disable, or decline to transmit User Content that we reasonably believe violates law, rights, this Agreement, or our safety rules.
1.7 Voice and Player Communications
The Game may provide push-to-talk voice communication and an optional “Open Mic” mode. Push-to-talk captures and transmits microphone audio while you hold the assigned talk control. If you deliberately enable Open Mic, the Game may capture and transmit microphone audio automatically during supported lobby and match screens while you remain in the current voice-supported room, including when that room moves between its lobby and match. Open Mic may pause while legal, safety, customization, or microphone-test screens own the microphone.
Open Mic is disabled by default, is not saved as a launch default, and turns off when you leave the room, quit the match, or close the Game. While Open Mic is enabled, holding the assigned talk control temporarily mutes transmission until you release it. The Game presents an additional notice before Open Mic is enabled for the first time during each launch.
Voice is transmitted to other players during a session. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice communications. Other players may hear, record, stream, or capture gameplay and communications using software, hardware, or platform features outside our control. Do not treat voice communications as private and do not share sensitive personal information.
You are responsible for what you say or transmit, including conversations or background audio transmitted through Open Mic. Harassment, hate speech, threats, sexual content, child exploitation, doxxing, disruptive audio, and other prohibited communications may result in muting, removal, suspension, or permanent loss of online features.
1.8 Code of Conduct
You must comply with the BallSlop Code of Conduct and User-Generated Content Rules, which are incorporated into this Agreement.
1.9 Moderation and Enforcement
We may investigate reports and take actions reasonably necessary to protect players, enforce these terms, comply with law, or protect the Game. Actions may include warnings, forced default customization, content removal, muting, blocking communication, match removal, matchmaking restrictions, temporary suspension, permanent suspension of online or user-generated-content features, or termination of this license.
We may act without prior notice for serious or credible threats, child exploitation, hate content, severe harassment, repeated infringement, cheating, security threats, or attempts to evade enforcement. We do not guarantee that every violation will be prevented or immediately reviewed.
Where required by law or where we determine appropriate, we may provide a reason or a method to request review. Nothing in this Agreement removes rights that cannot legally be waived.
1.10 Reports and Evidence
A report may include SteamIDs, display names, lobby or match identifiers, timestamps, mode, build version, relevant custom artwork when available, report category, and information voluntarily supplied by the reporting player. The Game saves a local report record and opens a pre-addressed email; nothing is sent to Phoenix Downtown Studios unless the reporting player completes and sends that email. We do not record or attach voice. Knowingly false or abusive reports are prohibited.
1.11 Copyright and Rights Complaints
Rights holders may submit complaints under the BallSlop Copyright Complaints and Takedown Policy. We may remove or disable content, restrict repeat infringers, and preserve information reasonably necessary to address a complaint or legal obligation.
1.12 Privacy
Our handling of personal information is described in the BallSlop Privacy Policy.
1.13 Updates and Availability
We may update, patch, rebalance, add, remove, suspend, or discontinue features or online services. We may require updates to continue using the Game. We do not guarantee uninterrupted operation, continued availability of a specific feature, or compatibility with every device or network.
1.14 Online Safety
Online play involves other players whose conduct we do not fully control. Although we prohibit abusive and unlawful content and may provide mute, block, hide, report, and moderation tools, we cannot guarantee that you will never encounter offensive or inappropriate player-created content.
1.15 Disclaimers
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE GAME AND ONLINE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN DISCLAIMERS.
1.16 Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PHOENIX DOWNTOWN STUDIOS AND ITS AFFILIATES, CONTRACTORS, AND LICENSORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, GOODWILL, OR USE, ARISING FROM THE GAME, PLAYER CONDUCT, OR USER CONTENT.
ANY AGGREGATE LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED WILL BE LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE GAME DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM OR THE MINIMUM AMOUNT REQUIRED BY LAW. THIS SECTION DOES NOT LIMIT LIABILITY THAT CANNOT LEGALLY BE LIMITED.
1.17 Responsibility for Your Breach
To the extent permitted by law, you are responsible for losses, claims, and reasonable costs arising from your unlawful User Content, infringement of another person’s rights, misuse of online services, or material breach of this Agreement. This does not require you to indemnify us for our own unlawful conduct or negligence where prohibited by law.
1.18 Suspension and Termination
You may stop using and uninstall the Game at any time. We may suspend or terminate your license or access to online features if you materially breach this Agreement, create a safety or security risk, infringe rights, evade enforcement, or if continued service is not reasonably possible.
1.19 Governing Law and Disputes
This Agreement is governed by California law and applicable United States federal law, without regard to conflict-of-law rules, except where consumer-protection law in your place of residence requires otherwise.
Subject to rights that cannot be waived, disputes will be brought in state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California.
1.20 Language and Changes
The player-facing legal package is provided in English at launch. The English version controls to the extent permitted by law; mandatory rights in a player’s country are not waived. We may update this Agreement. Material changes may be announced in the Game, through Steam, or on any future official website and may require renewed acceptance. The version number and effective date will identify the version accepted.
1.21 Contact
Support: ballslopped@gmail.com
Privacy: ballslopped@gmail.com
Copyright: ballslopped@gmail.com
Official website: Not currently available.
2. BALLSLOP CODE OF CONDUCT AND USER-GENERATED CONTENT RULES
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
These rules apply to custom artwork, including sphere art, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, as well as voice communication, player names, lobby behavior, reports, matchmaking, and all other BallSlop online features.
2.1 Treat Other Players Like People
Do not:
• Harass, threaten, stalk, intimidate, bully, or target another player for abuse.
• Use slurs, hate speech, derogatory stereotypes, or discriminatory attacks based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, age, or other protected or personal characteristics.
• Display or promote hate symbols, extremist propaganda, or content praising violence against a protected group.
2.2 Keep Paint and Communications Lawful
Do not:
• Create or transmit pornography, explicit sexual content, sexualized nudity, or obscene imagery.
• Create, request, share, or discuss sexual content involving minors.
• Make credible threats, encourage real-world violence, promote criminal activity, or encourage self-harm.
• Reveal private personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, financial information, login credentials, or private communications.
• Impersonate another person, developer, moderator, company, or rights holder in a misleading manner.
2.3 Respect Intellectual Property
• Only create or share material you own or have permission to use.
• The custom-art tools do not grant permission to reproduce protected characters, logos, trademarks, or artwork.
• You—not Phoenix Downtown Studios—are responsible for choosing to reproduce third-party material.
• We may remove or disable content following a rights-holder complaint or where infringement is apparent.
2.4 Do Not Ruin the Game
Do not:
• Cheat, exploit bugs for unfair advantage, use modified clients to bypass rules, manipulate matchmaking, attack networks, or interfere with another player’s device or connection.
• Repeatedly idle, collude, grief, block objectives, or sabotage matches for the purpose of preventing others from playing.
• Spam voice, abuse soundboards, generate extreme noise, or repeatedly scream into the microphone to interfere with play.
• If you enable Open Mic, you remain responsible for background conversations, music, television, private information, and other audio your microphone transmits. Use the quick-mute control or turn Open Mic off when appropriate.
• Evade mutes, blocks, suspensions, content restrictions, or bans through alternate accounts or modified clients.
• Submit knowingly false, retaliatory, or abusive reports.
2.5 Enforcement
Depending on severity, evidence, history, and risk, enforcement may include a warning, forced default appearance, content removal, mute, match removal, matchmaking restriction, temporary suspension, permanent suspension of online/voice/custom-art features, or termination of access.
Severe violations may result in immediate permanent action without prior warning. We may preserve relevant information and share it with Valve, service providers, rights holders, legal counsel, or authorities where reasonably necessary to investigate abuse, protect players, enforce rights, or comply with law.
We do not promise that every violation will be detected or prevented. Players should use mute, hide-art, block, and report controls and leave sessions that feel unsafe.
3. BALLSLOP PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
3.1 Who We Are
BallSlop is provided by Charles Valentin-Stulck under the Phoenix Downtown Studios name. Contact information appears at the end of this policy.
3.2 Information Involved in the Game
Depending on the launch configuration and features used, the Game may process:
• Steam account information, including SteamID, display name, authentication/ownership status, lobby membership, and platform permissions.
• Match and networking information, including lobby ID, selected mode and player count, host/client role, connection state, game synchronization data, match results, network routing information, and network diagnostics. Depending on the route established for a direct Steam peer-to-peer connection, network address and port information may be processed by Valve and may be technically available to the host or another session participant.
• Gameplay statistics and achievements, including matches, splats, wins, placements, mode progress, and achievement status.
• Settings and save data, including controls, audio settings, safety preferences, customizer settings, and the legal-document version accepted.
• Custom artwork, including sphere paint, SLOP TAG artwork, custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, temporary copies transmitted to other players, and optional personal presets saved locally and/or through Steam Cloud. Presets are not intended to be publicly searchable or placed in a developer-operated public gallery.
• Voice communication, consisting of compressed microphone audio captured while push-to-talk is held or while the player has deliberately enabled the optional Open Mic mode in a voice-supported room. Open Mic is disabled by default, is not saved as a launch default, and turns off when the player leaves that room or closes the Game. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice content.
• Reports and moderation information that a player chooses to create and send to us, including reporter and reported SteamIDs, display names, timestamps, match identifiers, report category, relevant custom artwork when available, notes, and enforcement history. The Game first saves report information locally; Phoenix Downtown Studios receives it only if the player completes and sends the pre-addressed email.
• Technical information contained in local game logs, such as build version, operating system, device or graphics information, errors, and performance data. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not automatically receive these logs at launch; a player may voluntarily submit them when requesting support.
• Communications sent directly to us, including support emails, privacy requests, copyright notices, and feedback.
3.3 How Information Is Used
Information may be used to:
• Authenticate Steam users and verify ownership.
• Create, discover, join, and operate online lobbies and matches.
• Transmit gameplay, custom artwork (including sphere art, SLOP TAG art, and custom MOUTH art and mouth-pose frames), and voice selected by the player through push-to-talk or optional Open Mic to session participants.
• Save settings, art presets, stats, achievements, and legal acceptance version.
• Provide safety tools, investigate reports, enforce rules, prevent fraud and cheating, and protect players.
• Respond to support, privacy, and rights requests.
• Maintain, debug, secure, and improve the Game.
• Comply with law and protect legal rights.
3.4 Voice Communications
Voice is intended to be ephemeral. With push-to-talk, the Game captures and compresses microphone input while you hold the assigned talk control and transmits it to other players. If you deliberately enable Open Mic, the Game may capture and transmit microphone input automatically during supported lobby and match screens while you remain in the current voice-supported room, including during its lobby and match. Open Mic may pause while legal, safety, customization, or microphone-test screens own the microphone.
Open Mic is disabled by default. The setting is not saved as a launch default and turns off when you leave the room, quit the match, or close the Game. While Open Mic is enabled, holding the assigned talk control temporarily mutes transmission until you release it. The Game provides a visible local indicator while Open Mic is enabled and presents an additional notice before the feature is first enabled during each launch.
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice-chat content. Audio is compressed and transmitted for live communication. Other players may independently hear, record, stream, or capture gameplay and voice using tools outside our control. Do not share sensitive personal information through voice, and remember that Open Mic may transmit background conversations or sounds within range of your microphone.
3.5 Custom Artwork
Custom artwork may be stored on your device and, if enabled, synchronized through Steam Cloud. During multiplayer, the Game transmits or makes artwork available to other players so your customized sphere, SLOP TAGs, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames can be displayed.
We do not claim ownership. We process artwork only as needed to operate the Game, apply your settings, provide authorized presets, investigate reports, comply with law, and enforce rules.
3.6 Steam and Service Providers
Valve processes information under its own policies when you use Steam. The Game may rely on Valve for identity and ownership verification, lobbies and invitations, peer-to-peer and relay networking, push-to-talk and optional open-microphone voice functions, Steam Cloud, Steam Stats and Achievements, Steam Overlay functions, and platform moderation. BallSlop does not use Epic Online Services.
Steam networking may establish a direct peer-to-peer connection or use a Valve relay. Depending on the connection route and Valve’s networking configuration, network addresses and related connection metadata may be processed by Valve and may be technically available to the host or another session participant. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not use that information to identify players except as reasonably necessary for network operation, security, troubleshooting, enforcement, or legal compliance.
No third-party advertising, analytics, or automatic crash-reporting provider is planned for launch. Any future contractor or service used for hosting, support, security, analytics, crash reporting, legal compliance, moderation, or other processing must be identified in an updated policy before that processing begins.
3.7 Information Shared With Other Players
Online play necessarily shares your in-game identity as displayed by the Game, sphere appearance, custom artwork including SLOP TAGs and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, gameplay actions, match results, and voice you choose to transmit through push-to-talk or Open Mic. Depending on the Steam networking route, network address and connection information may also be technically available to the host or another session participant. Enabling Open Mic may transmit background audio captured by the selected microphone. Players should not expect information intentionally transmitted in a multiplayer session to remain private, and other participants may record or stream the session.
3.8 Sale and Targeted Advertising
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intend to sell personal information or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. If that changes, this policy and required controls must be updated before the change occurs.
3.9 Retention
• Voice content: not intentionally retained by Phoenix Downtown Studios.
• Local and Steam Cloud saves: retained until deleted, synchronization is disabled, the Game is reset, or the platform removes them, subject to Steam functionality.
• Steam Stats/Achievements: retained through Steam according to platform functionality and account settings.
• Legal acceptance marker: retained locally and/or through Steam Cloud for convenience. A server-side acceptance record may be added later and would require an updated policy.
• Reports and enforcement records: unsubstantiated reports are deleted when no longer reasonably needed; ordinary substantiated reports may be retained for up to 12 months; active suspensions and bans are retained while reasonably needed to enforce them; and credible threats, child-exploitation matters, fraud, litigation, or legal requests may be retained longer where reasonably necessary or legally required.
• Support and legal correspondence: retained as reasonably necessary to respond, keep records, resolve disputes, and comply with law.
3.10 Security
We use reasonable safeguards appropriate to the information we control. No system is perfectly secure. Players are responsible for securing their Steam accounts and devices.
3.11 Children
BallSlop online services are intended for users aged 13 and older and are not directed to children under 13. Children under 13 may not use online matchmaking, voice, or public user-generated-content features.
If we learn that we collected personal information from a child under 13 without legally valid authorization, we will take reasonable steps to delete it and restrict the account from affected services.
3.12 Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live and which laws apply, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, or information about processing, and to object to or withdraw consent for certain processing. Rights may be subject to legal exceptions and identity verification.
BallSlop is intended for worldwide availability through Steam where permitted, with English-only game and legal text at launch. California residents may have rights under applicable California privacy laws. EEA, UK, Canadian, and other residents may have additional rights under local law.
3.13 Do Not Track and Global Privacy Controls
The Game does not use browser-based tracking for targeted advertising. If an official legal or support website is launched, its privacy notice will describe any cookies, hosting logs, and applicable browser privacy signals based on the site’s actual configuration.
3.14 Changes
We may update this policy to reflect changes in the Game, services, law, or practices. Material changes may be announced in the Game, through Steam, or on any future official website and may require renewed acceptance.
3.15 Contact
Privacy: ballslopped@gmail.com
Support: ballslopped@gmail.com
Official website: Not currently available.
4. BALLSLOP COPYRIGHT COMPLAINTS AND TAKEDOWN POLICY
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
4.1 Player Responsibility
Players may create custom artwork, including sphere art, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames, but may only use material they own or have permission to use. Phoenix Downtown Studios does not claim ownership of player-created art and does not grant permission to use third-party characters, logos, trademarks, artwork, or other protected material.
4.2 Copyright Complaint
A copyright owner or authorized agent who believes material available through BallSlop infringes copyright may send a written notice to ballslopped@gmail.com. The notice should include:
Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed, or a representative list.
Identification of the disputed material and information reasonably sufficient to locate it or identify the relevant user.
The complainant’s name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
A good-faith statement that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the notice is accurate and the complainant is authorized to act.
A physical or electronic signature.
4.3 Our Response
We may request additional information, remove or disable material, prevent its transmission, notify the affected player, preserve relevant records, or restrict accounts. We may terminate or restrict repeat infringers under a reasonably implemented policy.
4.4 Counter-Notice
Where applicable, an affected player may submit a counter-notice containing the information required by law, including identification of removed material, a statement under penalty of perjury regarding mistake or misidentification, consent to appropriate court jurisdiction, contact information, and a signature.
We may restore material only when legally permitted and are not required to resolve private ownership disputes between players and rights holders.
4.5 Trademark, Publicity, and Other Rights
Complaints involving trademarks, likenesses, privacy, or other rights should identify the rights claimed, the material involved, why the use is unauthorized, and the complainant’s authority and contact information.
4.6 False Notices
Knowingly submitting a materially false complaint or counter-notice may create legal liability. Parties should seek legal advice before submitting a formal notice.
5. BALLSLOP PLAYER SAFETY AND PARENT GUIDE
Effective Date: September 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
5.1 What Players and Parents Should Know
BallSlop includes online multiplayer, player-created custom artwork (including sphere artwork, SLOP TAG artwork, and custom MOUTH artwork and mouth-pose frames), push-to-talk voice communication, and an optional Open Mic mode. Other players—not Phoenix Downtown Studios—create the content of their drawings and communications.
We prohibit hate symbols, hate speech, harassment, threats, sexual content, child exploitation, doxxing, infringement, cheating, and disruptive voice abuse. No moderation system can guarantee that prohibited content will never appear.
5.2 Age Position
BallSlop online services are for players aged 13 and older. Children under 13 may not use online matchmaking, voice communication, or public custom-art features.
Players aged 13 to the age of legal majority should involve a parent or guardian as required by law and household rules.
5.3 Available Safety Controls
BallSlop provides:
• Mute a specific player.
• Adjust or disable incoming voice.
• Hide a specific player’s custom sphere, SLOP TAG, and custom MOUTH artwork.
• Hide all remote custom artwork and show safe default sphere and mouth appearances.
• Block a player and avoid rematching with that SteamID.
• Report a player by category.
• Host kick for private and player-hosted rooms.
• Clear notices before first use of voice, before enabling Open Mic during each launch, and before first transmission of custom art.
5.4 Voice Safety
Push-to-talk is the default voice mode. Open Mic is optional, disabled by default, and must be deliberately enabled for the current voice-supported room. It transmits automatically during supported lobby and match screens, may pause while legal, safety, customization, or microphone-test screens own the microphone, is not saved as a launch default, and turns off when the player leaves the room, quits the match, or closes the Game.
While Open Mic is enabled, holding the assigned talk control temporarily mutes microphone transmission until the control is released. A visible local microphone status and speaker portrait indicate that Open Mic remains enabled. Players should turn Open Mic off or use quick mute before private conversations, loud background noise, music, television, or other audio they do not intend to share.
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not intentionally record or retain voice-chat content. However, other players may record, stream, or capture gameplay and voice through tools outside our control. Players should not share real names, addresses, schools, phone numbers, account credentials, financial information, or other sensitive information.
Muting another player takes effect immediately and locally, without waiting for a host or developer response.
5.5 Custom-Art Safety
The “Hide All Custom Art” setting replaces every remote custom sphere and custom MOUTH design with a safe default and hides remote SLOP TAG artwork while preserving assigned gameplay color and readability. The setting is available through supported lobby and in-match safety menus.
Custom artwork remains visible by default. Mute, hide-player-art, and hide-all-art controls are protective options selected by the player and take effect immediately and locally.
Submitting a report does not automatically hide the reported player’s artwork. The reporting player can immediately use HIDE ART or BLOCK. A report saves a local record and, when available, a sphere-art snapshot, copies a report summary to the clipboard, and opens a pre-addressed email. Nothing is sent to Phoenix Downtown Studios unless the reporting player completes and sends that email.
5.6 Reports and Emergencies
Players should use the in-game report tools for rule violations. Credible threats, child exploitation, or immediate danger may also need to be reported to Steam and appropriate authorities.
Phoenix Downtown Studios does not provide emergency services and cannot guarantee real-time review.
5.7 Parent and Household Controls
Parents and guardians should use Steam household and parental controls, review BallSlop’s settings, disable voice where appropriate, enable safe-art viewing, and discuss online privacy with teenagers. BallSlop online services are not available to children under 13.