ABOUT Penguin Domination 🐧

Spyware in games? No thanks!

The group focuses on raising awareness and protecting against the collection and tracking of user data through analytics, spyware, crashlytics, advertising, and tracking cookies in games and game clients. A practice that often occurs in the digital world without proper consent. The aim is to support individuals by providing resources and tools to protect their privacy in the rapidly evolving digital technology landscape.

Goals

Responsible Data Analysis by Developers:
It's demanded that developers deactivate analytical services in games by default. The activation of the services should only take place after the consent of the user (opt-in) in order to provide information.
Functional Opt-Out Options:
Opt-outs must be effectively implemented. In too many cases, these options either do not work at all or only partially. It's demanded that users have full control over their data from the beginning, including a transparent and functional opt-out option.
Transparency Obligation on Product Pages:
Before purchase or download, it must be clearly and understandably communicated whether and what analytics services, trackers, or other mechanisms are active in a game or software – this in the respective national language, to avoid misunderstandings and information barriers.
Commitment to Data Minimization and Transparency:
Customers have the right to know what data is truly needed and which services are involved. Clear and honest communication from developers is essential to build trust and protect the privacy of users.
Honesty from Developers and Publishers:
It's demanded that developers and publishers must always be truthful about the actual behavior and data practices of their software. Misleading customers about how their software operates, especially in terms of data collection and usage, undermines trust and violates principles of transparency and respect for user privacy.

What does the group offer?

Reviews and analyses of spyware and background connections in games and game clients.
Information about companies that collect and use data.
Ad blockers with guides for about 1800 games and programs, including links to these tools.
Discussions on privacy and current events.
Resources for enhancing personal privacy and protection online.

Content Censorship on Steam and External Linking

Content on Steam may be censored. In such instances, reviews are available externally. Please visit Review Overview[www.gameindustry.eu].

False Positives?

For FAQs regarding false positive please visit the help section:

Key Resources / Repository

Project Website[www.gameindustry.eu]
GitHub Repository[github.com]

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POPULAR DISCUSSIONS

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RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

[EN|DE] Year in Review | Jahresrückblick

16 December - ペンギン | 2 Comments

As the year concludes, Penguin Domination is pleased to present the Year in Review 2024. The report highlights the most important key data, project developments and the indispensable support of the community.

Thank you for your continued interest and contribution to the project.

Link to the statistics at the end of the announcement.

DE

Mit dem Ende des Jahres freut sich Penguin Domination, den Rückblick auf das Jahr 2024 zu präsentieren. Der Bericht hebt die wichtigsten Eckdaten, Projektentwicklungen und die unverzichtbare Unterstützung der Community hervor.

Vielen Dank für Euer fortwährendes Interesse und Beiträgen zu dem Projekt.

EN: https://gameindustry.eu/year-in-review/?lang=en
DE: https://gameindustry.eu/year-in-review/?lang=de

[EN|DE] New features | Neuerungen

10 December - ペンギン | 2 Comments

Due to feedback in the Steam forums and chats directed to me on this platform, a new section for the Discord SDK was added today in the Technology section of GameIndustry.

The background is that, depending on the implementation and developer, games can transmit player data to Discord. This is similar to the chat display on Steam, where anyone can see what another user is doing.

Whether these are ingame-advertising, metrics or just a simple online status display for Discord. A more detailed description, as well as involved domain names and IPv4 addresses, were also considered.

Although the project database doesn't reach the level of SteamDB, it was still possible to identify and classify 68 (already tested) products that utilize this service. The page is also accessible through the normal search function if products include this service.

Another service that was recently summarized is the Steam Data Suite. This is also found in some products and is owned by a Dutch market research company specializing in gaming, esports, and entertainment.

Links at the end of the announcement

DE

Aufgrund von Resonanz in den Steamforen als auch mir angetragene Chats auf dieser Plattform wurde heute in der Technologiesektion der GameIndustry eine neue Rubrik für Discord-SDK integriert.

Hintergrund ist der, dass Spiele je nach Art der Implementierung und Entwickler Spielerdaten an Discord weitergegeben werden können. Ähnlich wie in Chatanzeige für Steam, wo jeder sehen kann, was ein jemand macht.

Ob das nun Ingame-Werbung oder Metriken sind oder eine einfache Onlineanzeige für Discord. Eine etwas ausführlichere Beschreibung, als auch involvierte Domänennamen und Ipv4-Adressen wurden ebenfalls berücksichtigt.

Die Projektdatenbank kommt zwar nicht an SteamDB heran, aber es konnten rückwirkend doch 68 (bereits getestete) Produkte mit diesem Dienst identifiziert und klassifiziert werden. Die Unterseite ist auch über die normale Suchfunktion erreichbar, sofern Produkte diesen Dienst enthalten.

Ein weiterer Dienst der kürzlich aufbereitet wurde ist die Steam Data Suite. Ebenfalls in einigen Produkten zu finden und im Besitz eines niederländischen Marktforschungsunternehmens mit Spezialisierung auf Gaming-, Esport- und Unterhaltung

Links:
https://gameindustry.eu/tech/discord-sdk/
https://gameindustry.eu/tech/steam-data-suite/

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STEAM CURATOR

Penguin Domination 🐧 reviews

"Everything about spyware, analytics, telemetry & tracking in games and gaming platforms. Cross-system with further information and filter lists to protect your privacy. Multilanguage."

Here are a few recent reviews by Penguin Domination 🐧

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326 Comments

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ペンギン

17 Dec @ 1:50pm

A new group announcement has been written, but it seems to be blocked by the system *sigh*

Well, a new update for the filter lists has been released on GitHub and the project page. The reason for this was a hotfix for a Google address that was causing videos on YoutTube to play for only one minute.

ペンギン

16 Dec @ 5:03pm

Regarding Ace. The plan is to test more games with this service (there aren't many anyway, apart from that), as well as to collect and publish the addresses involved. But I won't be able to say much or anything about the raw-data it contains. Not obvious to me. Well, it won't happen until next year anyway.

ペンギン

5 Dec @ 11:19pm

The issue in this topic by many users has always been (as I mentioned in the linked article) the connection to the CCP. Those who fear them must also be wary of American products that employ similar control mechanisms for surveillance, political control, factory compromised hardware as well as unsolicited data collection.

Feel free to discuss the Anti-Cheat topic in this group, contribute any information and continue asking questions. However, I kindly ask that the discussions remains factual, as there is often a lack of reliable sources and especially, evidence in the public consensus. Much of it could only be proven by insiders.

ペンギン

5 Dec @ 1:18pm

Hey BeEer,

I’ve already published a blog entry about Ace:
https://gameindustry.eu/blog/anti-cheat-expert/

For more details you’ll need to reach out to someone with expertise in reverse engineering. If you’re uncomfortable with the service, the simplest solution is to avoid using the product.

BeEer* 5 Dec @ 4:20am

Hey can you guys have a look at Delta Force and their ACE kernel anti-cheat? I was really hoping to play but I don't feel comfortable and would like to know more.

ペンギン

2 Dec @ 3:39pm

Note:
The issue with Albion (Online), has been resolved as the game was no longer being played, making a test unnecessary.

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