This Cookie Policy explains how gutsblackpowder.wiki (the "Site") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our fan wiki for Guts & Blackpowder. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By continuing to browse the Site, you consent to the use of cookies as described here, except where your consent is withdrawn or blocked through browser settings.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, tablet, or smartphone when you visit a website. They are widely used to make sites work efficiently, remember preferences, and provide owners with aggregate usage information. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, pixels, and software development kits (SDKs) embedded in third-party content. In this policy, we use "cookies" to refer to cookies and comparable technologies unless stated otherwise.
Cookies can be "first-party" (set by gutsblackpowder.wiki) or "third-party" (set by another domain, such as an analytics or video provider). They can also be "session" cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent" cookies (remaining until they expire or you delete them).
2. Why We Use Cookies
As a primarily static fan wiki, our cookie footprint is intentionally small. We use cookies and similar tools for the following purposes:
- Essential operation — ensuring pages load correctly through our hosting and content delivery network.
- Analytics — understanding how visitors use the Site in aggregate (popular guides, traffic sources, device types) so we can prioritize updates after game patches.
- Preference memory — remembering language or display choices if multilingual features store selections locally.
- Security — helping our infrastructure detect abnormal request patterns or potential abuse.
Our interactive tools — the Francs calculator and class picker — run calculations in your browser and do not require cookies to function. They may use session memory only for the duration of your page visit unless we add optional save features later.
3. Types of Cookies We May Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are required for basic Site functionality and cannot be switched off in our systems in all cases. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as loading a page or adjusting privacy settings. Without them, some parts of the Site may not display properly. Examples include load-balancer session cookies and security tokens from our hosting provider.
3.2 Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies help us count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve performance. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous unless combined with other data. We use analytics to answer questions like whether the Leipzig walkthrough spiked after a developer update, not to build individual profiles of readers.
Common analytics providers set cookies such as session identifiers and referral tags. Retention periods vary by provider but often range from twenty-four hours to two years for persistent identifiers. We configure analytics to respect reasonable anonymization settings where available.
3.3 Functional Cookies
Functional cookies enable enhanced features such as remembering that you prefer German on localized homepage variants, or collapsing FAQ sections. If you disable functional cookies, the Site remains readable but may not remember your choices between visits.
3.4 Third-Party Cookies from Embedded Content
Some guide pages embed external media — for example, YouTube gameplay footage demonstrating a holdout strategy. When you interact with embedded players, the third party may set its own cookies subject to its privacy policy. We do not control these cookies. Loading the embed is optional; you can read text guides without playing embedded videos.
4. Cookie Details Table
The exact cookies present may change as we update hosting or analytics providers. The table below describes typical categories rather than an exhaustive real-time list:
| Category | Purpose | Typical Duration | First / Third Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting / CDN | Deliver pages, balance load, basic security | Session to 24 hours | First or third (infrastructure) |
| Analytics | Aggregate visit counts and referrers | Session to 24 months | Third party (analytics vendor) |
| Preferences | Language or UI state | Session to 12 months | First party |
| Embedded media | Video playback, provider analytics | Varies by provider | Third party (e.g., YouTube) |
5. How to Manage Cookies
You have several options to control or delete cookies:
- Browser settings — Most browsers let you refuse cookies, delete existing cookies, or alert you before a cookie is stored. Consult your browser's help documentation for instructions (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.).
- Private / incognito mode — Session cookies are cleared when you close the private window, though persistent cookies from third parties may still apply during the session.
- Analytics opt-out — Some analytics vendors offer browser add-ons or global opt-out mechanisms. Check your analytics provider's documentation if we disclose a specific vendor on this page in the future.
- Do not embed — Avoid clicking play on embedded videos if you wish to minimize third-party cookies from video platforms.
Blocking all cookies may impact Site performance or convenience features but will not prevent you from reading wiki articles, using calculators, or following walkthroughs. Essential hosting cookies may still be technically necessary to deliver HTML files over the internet.
6. Cookies and Legal Requirements
Under the European Union ePrivacy Directive and UK PECR, non-essential cookies generally require informed consent before placement. Essential cookies for service delivery are exempt. Where we serve visitors in the EEA or UK, we aim to present clear information about analytics and optional cookies and honor valid consent choices through a consent banner or equivalent mechanism when implemented.
California residents may have additional rights regarding "sale" or "sharing" of personal information under the CCPA/CPRA. We do not sell personal information collected through cookies. See our Privacy Policy for California-specific disclosures.
7. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we change analytics tools, add new Site features, or when laws evolve. The "Last updated" date reflects the most recent revision. We encourage periodic review. Material changes that expand cookie use may require renewed consent where mandated by law.
8. Contact
Questions about this Cookie Policy or your cookie choices may be directed through the contact method listed on the Site footer or homepage. For broader data protection inquiries, see Section 13 of our Privacy Policy.