Ikariam is an online video game by the German company GameForge AG.
I started playing Ikariam about 18 months ago. I spent $120 towards upgrades in the game (the purchase of "ambrosia" - an in-game currency).
My grilfriend (who lives with me) started playing about a month ago, to spend more time with me.
We were both banned from the game because I had sent her supplies to help her get started. Note that you're allowed to help others in the game - only not if they're playing from the same computer (to prevent cheating / multi-accounting).
We submitted much proof that we were two individuals playing from one computer, but GameForge did not budge on their decision. They also refused to refund the balance of ambrosia on my account, and refused to transfer it to a new account.
IMPORTANT points in this case:
1. The rule we were banned for was quite ambiguous, and I have never broken another rule in the 18 months I've played the game.
2. They permanently banned the accounts *without a single warning* that we were breaking the rule.
3. They told us we could create new accounts, which is contradictory to the "permanent ban".
4. *They refused to refund* the balance of purchased virtual currency. This equates to theft or fraud.
Be careful playing this game. They will take your money - lots of it (even though the game claims to be free).
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