Comprehensive Cookie Policy
This detailed Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, the specific ways Thames Arcade utilizes them, the types of data they collect, and how you retain ultimate control over your cookie preferences while browsing our platform.
- What Exactly are Cookies?Cookies are very small text files containing strings of alphanumeric characters that are downloaded and stored securely on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) by your web browser when you visit a website. They essentially act as a memory mechanism, helping the site function properly and recall your previous interactions.
- The Core Reason We Use CookiesWe utilize cookies primarily to provide a seamless, secure, and highly optimized experience. They allow us to save your authenticated login state so you don't have to re-enter your password on every page, remember your specific game progress, and ensure that your Pixel Coin balance is synchronized accurately across our servers.
- Strictly Necessary (Essential) CookiesThese cookies are absolutely essential for the fundamental, core functionality of Thames Arcade. Without them, critical services such as secure user authentication, session management, and fraud prevention simply cannot operate. Because they are vital to the site's operation, they cannot be disabled through our consent banner.
- Performance and Analytics CookiesWe deploy these cookies to help us understand how visitors interact with our complex site architecture. They collect anonymous, aggregated analytics data—such as page load speeds, error rates, and the most frequently visited simulators. This data is crucial for our engineering team to continuously improve server performance and fix bugs.
- Functionality and Personalization CookiesThese cookies allow the website to remember specific, personal choices you make during your visit. This could include remembering your preferred username, your customized UI settings, or your language preferences, thereby providing a significantly enhanced, smoother, and more personalized gaming environment.
- Absolute Ban on Advertising Tracking CookiesAs a free, community-driven social arcade, we maintain a strict policy against the use of third-party advertising cookies. We do not track your behavior across the broader internet, we do not build advertising profiles based on your gameplay, and we do not serve intrusive, targeted external advertisements on our platform.
- Session vs. Persistent CookiesOur platform employs both types of cookies. Session cookies are temporary and are automatically deleted by your browser the moment you close it. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a predetermined period (or until you manually delete them) and are used to recognize you instantly when you return for subsequent gaming sessions.
- Handling of Third-Party CookiesWhile we control our first-party cookies strictly, certain features on our site—such as embedded video players for game trailers or external secure CAPTCHA services used during registration—may occasionally place their own third-party cookies on your device. We vet these partners carefully for privacy compliance.
- Managing and Deleting CookiesYou retain complete authority to control, block, or delete cookies at any time through your specific web browser's privacy settings. However, we must advise that manually disabling essential cookies will directly impact your ability to log in and play games, rendering the platform largely unusable.
- Respecting Browser "Do Not Track" SignalsWe are committed to user privacy and fully respect "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals configured at the web browser level. When our servers detect an active DNT header from your browser, we automatically disable all non-essential analytics and performance tracking mechanisms.
- Initial Consent Mechanism and BannerUpon your very first visit to Thames Arcade, you will be presented with a clear cookie consent banner. This banner explicitly requests your permission before we deploy any non-essential cookies. You can fine-tune your choices immediately or adjust them later via your account settings.
- Ongoing Updates to this PolicyThe technological landscape and data protection legislation evolve rapidly. Therefore, we may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect new legal requirements or changes in our technical infrastructure. We encourage you to revisit this page regularly to stay informed about our practices.
- Contacting Us Regarding CookiesTransparency is key to our operation. If you have any detailed technical questions, concerns, or require further clarification regarding our specific use of cookies and tracking technologies, please do not hesitate to contact our technical privacy team via the email address provided in the site's footer.