Policy · Studio Action
Terms of Service
Last updated: 2026-08-31
This is a plain-language policy; contact contest@studioaction.io with questions.
Agreement to Terms
These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a legally binding agreement between you ("you," "your," "player," "entrant") and EgoPanda Creative ("Studio Action," "we," "our," "us"), the operator of the website located at studioaction.io and all associated features and services (collectively, the "Service").
Studio Action is the contest and community arm of the same operation that runs aktionfilmai.com (Aktion Film Ai, a registered business name of Ego Panda, LLC). The two sites share infrastructure and are run by the same team. Purchases made on aktionfilmai.com are governed by that site's own terms; purchases made on studioaction.io are governed by these Terms.
By purchasing anything on this site, submitting content, co-signing the pledge, subscribing to a mailing list, or otherwise using the Service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference.
If you do not agree to these Terms in their entirety, do not use the Service.
Section 1 — Eligibility
1.1 Age Requirement
Studio Action is an 18+ platform. By making a purchase, creating a character, entering a contest, or submitting content, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher).
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that a user is under 13, we will delete their data and remove their content. If you believe a child under 13 has used the Service, contact us immediately at info@studioaction.io.
1.2 Accurate Information
Information you provide to us (email addresses, display names, character details, payment information) must be accurate and yours to give. You may not impersonate any person or entity, submit content on someone else's behalf without their authorization, or use the Service through automated means (bots, scripts, scrapers).
1.3 Geographic Restrictions
The Service is not available to users located in, or accessing the Service from, jurisdictions subject to U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) comprehensive sanctions programs. By using the Service, you represent that you are not located in, ordinarily resident in, or accessing the Service from any such jurisdiction, and that you are not a Specially Designated National or Blocked Person under OFAC lists.
Section 2 — The Service
2.1 What Studio Action Is
Studio Action is an interactive story world and creative community. The Service includes: a persistent narrative game in which paying players create characters that participate in the story (the "Game"); skill-based creative contests (when open); community pages where users post creative work (submissions, gallery, share rooms); the Take It Back Pledge co-sign; mailing lists; and an official monthly leaderboard (the "Official Board").
2.2 Free Tier
Watching is free. You can browse the story, follow the canon, post quest proposals, and participate in free daily missions without paying anything. Paid products add participation — they never gate reading the story.
2.3 The Sister Site
AI generation tools, credits, and the monthly creator subscriptions are sold on aktionfilmai.com under its own terms of service and privacy policy. Nothing in these Terms grants you rights on that platform, and nothing you buy there grants you rights here unless the product description on either site says so explicitly (some products — such as Founders — are honored on both sites).
Section 3 — One-Time Purchases
3.1 What We Sell
Studio Action sells one-time digital products, including: characters (individually or in packs), season passes, Founders (a one-time lifetime product shared with aktionfilmai.com), and — when a contest is open — contest entries. Current products and prices are shown at the point of purchase and on /pricing. Prices may change prospectively at any time; a price change never affects a purchase you have already completed.
3.2 Digital Goods — Delivery and Refunds
Every one-time product on this site is a digital good. It is delivered when the associated access, entry, character slot, or credential is made available to you — typically immediately after payment. One-time digital purchases are non-refundable once delivered, except where a refund is required by applicable consumer protection law or where Section 3.4 (billing errors) applies. By completing a purchase you expressly consent to immediate delivery and acknowledge that this consent may waive any statutory withdrawal or cooling-off right that would otherwise apply to the extent permitted by law. See the standalone Refund & Cancellation Policy.
3.3 Payment Processing
Payments are processed by Stripe. We never see or store your full card number. Stripe's own terms and privacy policy apply to the payment transaction itself.
3.4 Billing Errors
If you were charged in error — a duplicate charge, a charge for a product you did not receive, or a charge in the wrong amount — email contest@studioaction.io with the charge details and we will investigate and correct verified errors, including issuing a refund of the erroneous amount.
Section 4 — The Official Board Subscription
Automatic renewal notice — please read carefully
4.1 What It Is
The Official Board is a recurring subscription — currently $5.00 USD per month — that places your character on the official leaderboard and includes the perks described at /pricing (leaderboard points, live review nights, canon consideration, finale eligibility). It is the only recurring product sold on this domain.
4.2 Auto-Renewal
The Official Board subscription automatically renews every month at the then-current monthly rate until you cancel. What you are agreeing to:
- Your payment method on file with Stripe will be charged at the start of each new monthly billing period.
- The charge will be the price shown at checkout, subject to the price-change notice terms below.
- This agreement to recurring charges continues until you cancel.
4.3 How to Cancel
You may cancel at any time, by either of these methods:
- Email: send a cancellation request to contest@studioaction.io from the email address used at checkout; or
- Stripe customer portal: use the subscription management link in your Stripe receipt emails.
Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. Your board access continues through the period you already paid for; you will not be charged again. We do not issue partial-month refunds unless required by applicable law. Cancelling the subscription never deletes your characters — they just come off the official board.
4.4 Price Changes
If we increase the subscription price, we will give you clear and conspicuous notice by email no less than 7 days and no more than 30 days before the new price takes effect. If you do not cancel before the new price takes effect, you authorize us to charge the new price. Material changes to what the subscription includes will be noticed the same way.
4.5 State Disclosures
California residents: This disclosure is provided in compliance with California's Automatic Renewal Law (Business and Professions Code §§ 17600–17606, as amended effective July 1, 2025). You have the right to cancel at any time using either method in Section 4.3, and cancellation will not require steps beyond that request. A clear and conspicuous statement of these auto-renewal terms is presented at the point of purchase.
Oregon residents: This disclosure is provided in compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes § 646A.295. You have the right to cancel at any time using either method in Section 4.3.
Section 5 — The Game
5.1 What a Character Purchase Buys
A character purchase buys participation in a persistent, dice-driven story world — not any particular outcome inside it. Your character exists inside a narrative where events are resolved by the posted table rules (including dice rolls administered by the game) and by the judgment of the storytellers running the world.
5.2 Death Is Real
Characters can permanently die. Dead is dead. This is a stated, foundational rule of the Game, displayed before purchase: canon does not bend, death is permanent, and dead characters are not restored, resurrected, or refunded. In-game mechanics (such as healing while resting, or intervention mechanics that trigger before death under the posted rules) exist inside the game and are governed by the table rules as posted — they are gameplay, not consumer guarantees.
5.3 No Refunds for In-Game Outcomes
Because a character purchase is a purchase of participation, no refund, credit, or replacement is owed for any in-game outcome — including character death, injury, loss of points or standing, an unfavorable dice roll, a ruling by a storyteller, or a canon decision you disagree with. The product was delivered when your character entered the world.
5.4 Not Gambling
The Game involves dice as a storytelling mechanic. Nothing in the Game is a wager: no purchase is staked on a chance outcome for a prize of monetary value, in-game outcomes have no cash value, and points, standings, and canon status are not redeemable for money or property.
5.5 Canon and Game Data
The story, its canon, and all rulings about what enters canon are at our sole creative discretion. Character records, points, and game data are stored as a convenience and on a best-effort basis; back up any creative material you care about. Section 11.2 (stored content and data loss) applies to game data.
Section 6 — Your Submissions
6.1 You Keep Ownership
You retain full ownership of the original creative work you submit to the Service — films, stills, character designs, writing, quest proposals, and anything else you post to the submissions, gallery, community, or contest surfaces ("Submissions") — to the extent it is protectable under applicable intellectual property law. Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of your Submissions to us.
6.2 The License You Grant Us
By submitting, you grant EgoPanda Creative a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, display, stream, excerpt, and promote your Submission on the Service, in the story and its canon, and in marketing for Studio Action and its sister site — with attribution to the name or handle you submitted under. This license exists so we can actually run a public creative community and a story that incorporates player work; it is not a grab. You may request removal of a Submission at any time by emailing contest@studioaction.io, and we will remove it from active display within a reasonable time — though work already woven into published canon, past streams, or announced contest results may remain in that historical context.
6.3 Your Representations
For every Submission, you represent and warrant that: (a) you created it or hold all rights needed to submit it and grant the license above; (b) it does not infringe any third party's copyright, trademark, right of publicity, or privacy rights; (c) every identifiable real person depicted has consented; and (d) it complies with the Community Guidelines.
6.4 The Pledge Co-Sign
Co-signing the Take It Back Pledge publishes the display name you provide on the public co-signer cohort. Your email address is never published. See the Privacy Policy for how to have your name removed.
Section 7 — Contests
Studio Action runs skill-based creative contests. Winners are chosen by judging entries on merit against posted criteria — never by drawing, raffle, or any element of chance. When a contest is open, the Official Contest Rules govern that contest and are incorporated into these Terms. Entry fees are fees for judged participation in a skill contest and are non-refundable once an entry is submitted, as described in the Official Contest Rules and the Refund & Cancellation Policy.
Section 8 — Community Standards and Moderation
Your use of the Service is subject to our Community Guidelines, incorporated into these Terms by reference. In summary: no content that sexualizes minors, no non-consensual intimate imagery, no harassment or threats against real people, no infringement, no illegal content. These are absolute prohibitions.
We reserve the right to remove any content, decline any submission, suspend or ban any user, and refuse service to anyone, at any time, consistent with applicable law. Consequential moderation decisions involve human review. Moderation decisions do not entitle you to a refund except where required by law.
Section 9 — Copyright
We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect the same from users. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512), we respond to valid takedown notices and maintain a repeat-infringer policy. Our full DMCA policy — including how to file a notice and a counter-notification — is at studioaction.io/legal/dmca. Send notices to info@studioaction.io with the subject line "DMCA Takedown Notice."
The Studio Action name, wordmark, the story world, its characters, art, and canon are the property of EgoPanda Creative. Owning a character in the Game gives you a place in the story; it does not license you to exploit the Studio Action universe commercially outside the Service.
Section 10 — Privacy
Our Privacy Policy describes what we collect (mostly email addresses, display names, and the game and creative data you give us), how we use it, the fact that pledge co-signer names and community handles are published publicly, and how to exercise your privacy rights. It is incorporated into these Terms by reference.
Section 11 — Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
11.1 Service Provided "As Is"
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, THAT ANY FEATURE WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE, OR THAT GAME OUTCOMES, JUDGING RESULTS, OR CANON DECISIONS WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
11.2 Stored Content and Data Loss
The Service stores content and records you create — characters, game data, submissions, standings — as a convenience. Storage is provided on a best-effort basis and is NOT a backup service. In the event stored content is lost, corrupted, or erased in error (including database failure, migration error, or accidental deletion), WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS. Keep your own copies of any creative work you care about — this applies doubly while the platform is young and data structures may change.
11.3 Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL EGOPANDA CREATIVE, ITS OFFICERS, MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THE SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY.
OUR TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID TO US ON THIS SITE IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) $100 USD.
11.4 Essential Basis of the Bargain
THE LIMITATIONS IN THIS SECTION REFLECT AN ALLOCATION OF RISK BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND FORM AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE BASIS OF THE BARGAIN. WE WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICE ON THESE TERMS WITHOUT THESE LIMITATIONS.
11.5 Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless EgoPanda Creative and its officers, members, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your violation of these Terms; (b) your Submissions; (c) your violation of any third party's rights, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights; or (d) your violation of applicable law.
Section 12 — Dispute Resolution
12.1 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
12.2 Informal Resolution First
Before initiating any formal dispute proceeding, you agree to contact us at info@studioaction.io and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for a period of 30 days. Most problems get fixed this way.
12.3 Arbitration
We want to be straightforward about this: if something goes wrong and we cannot work it out directly, here is how disputes get resolved. Smaller claims can go to your local small claims court. If you would rather keep access to a regular court, you have 30 days from your first purchase or submission to opt out of arbitration with no penalty. For most situations, arbitration is faster and cheaper than traditional litigation — but you should know your options before agreeing to anything.
If informal resolution fails, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service that is not subject to the small claims exception shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, as modified by these Terms. The arbitration will be conducted remotely or, if an in-person hearing is required, in Portland, Oregon. Each party will bear its own arbitration costs subject to the AAA's consumer fee schedules.
30-Day Arbitration Opt-Out. If you do not wish to be bound by this arbitration agreement, notify us in writing at info@studioaction.io within 30 days of your first purchase or submission on this site. Your notice must include your name, email address, and a clear statement that you are opting out of arbitration. Opting out does not affect any other provision of these Terms, and you remain able to bring individual claims in small claims court or a court of competent jurisdiction.
CLASS ACTION WAIVER: TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION.
12.4 Injunctive Relief
Nothing in this Section prevents either party from seeking emergency injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to protect intellectual property rights or confidential information.
Section 13 — Modifications and Termination
13.1 Changes to These Terms
We may modify these Terms at any time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date on this page and, for material changes, make reasonable efforts to notify you in advance — typically by email to an address you have given us or by a notice on the site. Your continued use of the Service after revised Terms take effect constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree, stop using the Service before the effective date.
13.2 Termination by You
You may stop using the Service at any time. To cancel the Official Board subscription, use Section 4.3. To request deletion of your data, use the Privacy Policy process. Stopping use does not entitle you to a refund of completed purchases except as required by law.
13.3 Termination by Us
We may suspend or terminate your access immediately, with or without notice, for: (a) violation of these Terms or the Community Guidelines; (b) conduct that we reasonably believe creates legal risk or harm to other users; (c) fraudulent payment activity; or (d) discontinuation of the Service.
13.4 Effect of Termination
Upon termination: (a) your license to use the Service ends; (b) your characters leave active play and your content may be removed from active display; (c) Sections 6 (submission license, to the extent already exercised), 9, 11, 12, and this Section survive termination.
Section 14 — General Provisions
14.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, the Refund & Cancellation Policy, the Official Contest Rules (when a contest is open), the DMCA Policy, and the Community Guidelines, constitute the entire agreement between you and EgoPanda Creative regarding the Service.
14.2 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, that provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions remain in full force.
14.3 No Waiver
Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.
14.4 Assignment
You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all of our assets.
14.5 Contact
Questions about these Terms:
- General / questions: contest@studioaction.io
- Legal, privacy, and DMCA notices: info@studioaction.io
- Press / partnerships: adam@studioaction.io