Game Economy & Virtual Goods Policies ===================================== Currency, trading, purchases, scams, and virtual goods. Policy date: 2025-03-08 4. Game Economy & Virtual Goods Policies Santae’s in-game economy is designed to be fair and balanced, ensuring that all players have an equal opportunity to engage with the game’s market. These policies govern the use of virtual currency, trading, market behavior, and payment-related disputes. 4.1 SanCash & Virtual Currency SanCash (sC) is Santae’s premium in-game currency, which can be earned through gameplay or purchased with real money. To maintain fairness and prevent exploitation, the following rules apply: 4.1.1 SanCash Has No Real-World Value SanCash (sC) is a virtual currency and cannot be exchanged for real money. Players do not own SanCash; rather, they have a limited license to use it in Santae. SanCash cannot be converted, refunded, or transferred to another game or platform. 4.1.2 Prohibition on Selling, Trading, or Exchanging SanCash for Real Money It is strictly forbidden to: Sell, buy, or exchange SanCash (sC) for real-world money or external goods. Use third-party services, PayPal, or cryptocurrency to sell or purchase SanCash. Offer in-game items, pets, or accounts for real money. Allowed transactions: Buying SanCash through Santae’s official payment system. Spending SanCash within Santae’s marketplace, shops, or events. Violations will result in: Immediate account suspension or termination. SanCash removal from all involved accounts. Potential permanent ban for repeat offenses. 4.2 Item Trading & Market Rules Trading is a core feature of Santae’s economy, allowing players to exchange items fairly. However, certain trading behaviors are prohibited to prevent fraud, exploitation, and market abuse. 4.2.1 All In-Game Trades Are Final Once a trade is confirmed, it cannot be undone, unless evidence of scamming is provided. Santae staff will not reverse trades unless: o A scam has occurred (verified through reports and logs). o A system error caused an unintended trade outcome. Trade with caution—always double-check before confirming! 4.2.2 Cross-Game Trading Is Prohibited Cross-game trading refers to trading Santae items, pets, or currency for assets in other games. This is not allowed due to security risks, scamming potential, and legal concerns. Examples of Prohibited Cross-Game Trades: Trading a Santae pet for an item in another virtual pet site. Swapping Santae currency for game currency in another MMO. Exchanging Santae account access for an account in another game. Punishment for Cross-Game Trading: First offense: Warning and trade reversal. Second offense: Temporary suspension. Third offense: Permanent ban. 4.2.3 Market Manipulation & Unfair Trading Schemes Market manipulation disrupts fair trading and creates an unfair economy. The following actions are prohibited: Price Fixing – Coordinating with others to artificially inflate or lower item prices. Monopoly Hoarding – Buying out all copies of an item to control availability and resale price. Insider Trading – Using staff information (e.g., future item releases) to gain an unfair market advantage. Trade Circles – Coordinating with multiple users to exchange items repeatedly to artificially increase item value. Punishment for Market Manipulation: First offense: Warning and potential market restrictions. Second offense: Market suspension for 7 Days. Severe cases: Permanent market bans or account suspensions. Fair Market Practices Include: Selling and trading at competitive, reasonable rates. Pricing items based on fair demand and supply. Offering open and transparent trades in the marketplace. 4.3 Refunds & Chargebacks All purchases in Santae are final, and refunds are only issued in rare cases where a billing error has occurred. 4.3.1 No Refund Policy All purchases of SanCash, premium items, and digital goods are non-refundable. Players must confirm all transactions before completing a purchase. Refunds are only granted in cases of: o Duplicate charges. o Billing system errors (e.g., overcharged amounts). o Unauthorized transactions (must be reported within 7 days). Refunds will NOT be given for: Regret purchases – Players changing their minds after purchasing SanCash or an item. Accidental purchases – Double-check before confirming! Item or currency losses due to player error. 4.3.2 Chargeback Policy (Disputed Payments) A chargeback occurs when a player files a dispute with their bank or payment provider to reverse a Santae transaction. Chargebacks are treated as a serious violation. If a chargeback is initiated: The player’s account will be immediately suspended until the issue is resolved. All SanCash, premium items, or affected purchases may be revoked. If the chargeback is proven to be fraudulent, the account will be permanently banned. How to resolve a chargeback: 1. Contact Santae support immediately if you accidentally filed a chargeback. 2. Provide proof of payment and a statement confirming resolution. 3. If the chargeback was a billing error, Santae staff will verify and work with the payment provider. Preventing Chargeback Issues: Use verified payment methods when purchasing SanCash. Do not make purchases on shared accounts. Review purchase details carefully before confirming. 4.4 Fraud Prevention & Account Security in Trading Santae prioritizes player safety and implements fraud prevention measures to protect users from scams, phishing attempts, and fraudulent trades. 4.4.1 Identifying & Reporting Trade Scams Signs of a scam: Too-good-to-be-true deals (e.g., rare items offered at unrealistically low prices). Users requesting items first without offering proof of trade reliability. Players promising “future payment” or “IOU” agreements without collateral. Fake moderator impersonation (Santae staff will NEVER request items or currency from players). What to do if you get scammed: 1. Gather evidence (screenshots, chat logs, trade history). 2. Report the scam using the in-game reporting system or a support ticket. 3. Avoid engaging further with the scammer. Scammers will face: Immediate trade suspension pending investigation. Possible item confiscation or permanent ban if proven guilty. Safe Trading Practices: Always double-check trade details before confirming. Use Santae’s official trading system—never trade outside of the game. Be cautious of new or unverified users offering high-value trades.