Terms of Service

Overview

This website is operated by Ethan Dirks Inc. DBA Puzzle Punks (hereby referred to as we, us, our, I, me, and my). We offer this website conditioned upon your acceptance of all terms, conditions, policies and notices stated here.

Introduction

By accessing or using playpuzzlepunks.com and all subdomains and subfolders (hereby referred to as Puzzle Punks), you agree to be bound by this agreement. Puzzle Punks encompasses both the web page components (hereby referred to as the site, accessible at playpuzzlepunks.com) and the video game components (hereby referred to as the game, accessible at game.playpuzzlepunks.com). The site provides access to important information, teacher tools, and resources — while the game is simply the video game itself. Your use of both the site and the game signifies your acceptance of the terms in this document.

Site and Game Description

The site provides teachers with supplementary resources related to the game, including links to play, instructions, information, and more. The game consists of three core components, the game, the debrief, and the answer key. The game comes in many variants (hereby referred to as escape rooms), each tailored to different subjects, grade levels, and themes or seasons — which can be accessed using unique access PINs provided to teachers upon purchase. In each escape room, small teams of students work through standards-based educational challenges to unlock codes before time runs out. These escape rooms feature interactive puzzles, colorful artwork, quirky characters, and hidden lore, creating an engaging and unique experience for students.

Licensing

Each purchase of a Puzzle Punks escape room grants the purchaser one (1) single license for unlimited classroom use of the escape room via our online platform. This license is non-expiring and may be used as often as the purchaser chooses, as long as the Puzzle Punks platform remains live and accessible.

The license grants the right to play the escape room, not to own or distribute its contents. It may only be shared with students under the direct supervision of the purchaser and may not be transferred, sublicensed, or shared with other educators, classrooms, or institutions.

Accessibility Disclaimer

The site aims to be in full compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and is regularly audited to ensure continued compliance. However, the game itself, while hosted online, is not considered a "web page" as defined by the W3C. It is a fully-fledged video game designed with complex interactive elements that are integral to the gameplay experience, and it may not be fully accessible. These elements, including cryptograms, hidden text, and time-sensitive challenges, are essential mechanics of the game and are crucial to its core design and enjoyment. Modifying or removing these mechanics would fundamentally alter the purpose and experience of the game.

Content Disclaimer

Puzzle Punks is intended for recreation only — not as an assessment, replacement, or supplement for standard instruction. While we strive to create engaging, standards-based, grade-level-appropriate escape rooms, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of our products. We are not liable for any discrepancies or misalignment between our content and the specific educational requirements of your classroom.

Service Availability and Ownership Disclaimer

Puzzle Punks is an online-only service. When you purchase access to a Puzzle Punks escape room, you are not buying a physical or digital product for ownership. You are purchasing a license to access and play the escape room content through our hosted web platform.

All content is streamed or served from our servers and is dependent on the continued operation, maintenance, and hosting of the Puzzle Punks platform. As such, your ability to access and use any purchased escape room is contingent on the platform remaining live and available.

Puzzle Punks retains sole discretion over the operation of its service and reserves the right to modify, suspend, or permanently shut down the platform at any time, for any reason, and without prior notice. Should the service become unavailable—temporarily or permanently—no refunds will be issued. All sales are final.

By purchasing or using a Puzzle Punks escape room, you acknowledge and accept that: (A) You are licensing access, not purchasing a product. (B) The service depends entirely on Puzzle Punks remaining online. (C) Access may end at any time, without notice, and without refund.

Educator Liability

Teachers and educators are responsible for determining the suitability of Puzzle Punks for their classrooms and students. We encourage educators to review and test all content before use to ensure its educational value and appropriateness. Educators assume responsibility for the content's usage and its effects within their classrooms.

Classroom Use

Teachers are responsible for monitoring their students' use of Puzzle Punks and ensuring that students follow proper guidelines and behavior while interacting with the site and the game. We are not liable for any actions, behavior, or interactions that occur between users within the classroom. By using Puzzle Punks in a classroom setting, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ethan Dirks Inc. DBA Puzzle Punks, its officers, employees, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, or losses arising from your use of our games and content within the classroom.

Prohibited Behavior

You agree to use Puzzle Punks only in the spirit in which it was intended: as an engaging video game for recreation, not as an assessment or substitute for standard instruction. You may not modify the Puzzle Punks source code or assets. You may not share your copy of a Puzzle Punks escape room or its access PIN with any other educator. 

Fraud Detection and Order Security

Our online store utilizes Shopify's automated fraud detection system to protect both our business and customers from fraudulent transactions. All orders are automatically screened for potential fraud indicators. If an order is flagged as having a high risk of fraud by this system, we reserve the right to cancel the order and will not fulfill or ship the products. In such cases, a full refund will be processed to the original payment method within 7 business days. This policy helps ensure the security of all transactions and protects legitimate customers from potential chargebacks or payment disputes. We appreciate your understanding that these measures are in place for everyone's protection. 

Copyright

All materials on the site, including the organization and layout, are owned and copyrighted by Ethan Dirks Inc. DBA Puzzle Punks. These materials may be accessed or printed only for your personal, non-commercial use. Without prior written permission, you may not copy, distribute, or transfer any content from the site, in whole or in part.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Ethan Dirks Inc. DBA Puzzle Punks, its officers, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or other intangible losses, resulting from your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, Puzzle Punks and any related services. In no event shall our total liability to you for all claims arising from or related to your use of the site or game exceed the amount paid by you to Ethan Dirks Inc. DBA Puzzle Punks for the specific service at issue in the prior twelve (12) months.

Changes & Contact

This Terms of Service is effective as of 8/07/2023. Changes to this document will be posted here. We will not contact users about updates, so please check back regularly. For any questions about this Terms of Service, please contact inquiries@playpuzzlepunks.com.