Terms of Use

Terms Of Use is a narrative-driven game that explores digital identity, data collection, and the consequences of online consent. Players navigate a surreal interface that mimics real-world platforms, gradually revealing a story about control and personal boundaries. The game presents itself like a software agreement but shifts into an interactive experience where every click and checkbox shapes the outcome. As players agree to terms, they lose or gain access to parts of the story, pushing them to question each choice.

User Interaction and Story Structure

The gameplay unfolds through layers of artificial interfaces—pop-ups, scroll bars, toggles, and notifications. Each interaction appears harmless at first but carries deeper meaning. Players are guided by a digital assistant that offers help but also manipulates the situation. The narrative is nonlinear, with events triggered by how much the player agrees to share. Refusing terms leads to restrictions, while accepting them allows progress at a potential cost.

Key Mechanics and Design Elements

Terms Of Use introduces several core features that build its interactive structure:

•         Agreement-based progression system
•         Multiple-choice responses with hidden consequences
•         Visual metaphors for data loss, tracking, and exposure
•         Branching storylines based on compliance levels
•         Background changes that reflect internal shifts in control

These systems create a balance between curiosity and caution. Players are constantly deciding whether they want to move forward or preserve control over their digital self.

Themes and Emotional Impact

The story addresses themes such as privacy, ownership, and autonomy in the digital age. Through distorted visuals and layered sound design, the game makes the player feel watched and monitored. Dialogue is fragmented, sometimes rewritten in real-time, reinforcing the sense of instability. Players may feel uncertain whether they are progressing in the narrative or being absorbed into it. The game does not offer simple endings, instead presenting multiple interpretations of what it means to agree without full understanding.

Visual Language and Atmosphere

Terms Of Use uses a muted color palette with glitch effects and interface distortions. The design mimics real software environments but introduces small inconsistencies that build discomfort. Sound design plays a crucial role, with soft notification tones that evolve into unsettling loops. As the game develops, the interface becomes less familiar and more abstract. This transition mirrors the player’s journey—from user to subject, from reader of terms to part of them.