Potential Server Operator Terms Issue: Ascendant EQ Donation / Server Support Page

[Belvue]

I am posting this as a potential EQEmulator Server Operator Terms compliance concern for review.

Ascendant EQ’s public Server Support page appears to solicit donations through Ko-fi to fund the server’s hosting, operating, maintenance, tooling, and development costs. The page also displays a “Server Runway” showing months of funding remaining and states that current and projected costs are covered by community donations.

The concern is not pay-to-win rewards or donor-only items. The page states that donations are voluntary and that no goods, services, or exclusive in-game items are provided.

The concern is that the EQEmulator Server Operator Terms appear broader than a “no donor perks” rule. They require EQEmulator servers to remain non-commercial and not-for-profit, prohibit indirect revenue or donation facilitation connected to an EQEmulator server, and state that operators are solely responsible for server costs. The Terms also state that exceptions require written Daybreak approval.

Because Ascendant’s page ties donations directly to operating and developing the server, this appears potentially inconsistent with those Terms unless an approved exception exists.

Additional optics concern: the page allows donors to include a character name. Even if no benefit is granted, linking donations to in-game identities may create the appearance of donor tracking, player acknowledgment, or preferential treatment.

Recommended review:

- Whether Ko-fi donations are permitted under the current Server Operator Terms
- Whether “hosting / operating / maintenance / tooling / development” funding language is allowed
- Whether public server runway / funding reserve tracking is allowed
- Whether character-name references should be removed
- Whether a written Daybreak-approved exception exists

Suggested mitigation if this is not permitted:

- Pause donations until clarified
- Remove Ko-fi solicitation from the server page
- Remove language tying donations to server operation or development
- Remove character-name references
- Seek written clarification or approval before resuming donations

I am not asking for player discipline or moderation action. I am asking for review of whether this public donation setup is compliant with the Server Operator Terms.

https://ascendanteq.com/server-support