These terms govern your use of HostGoblin ("we", "us", "the goblin"), a hosting service for game servers such as Minecraft. By ordering or using a server, you agree to them.
The service
We provision and run game servers on our infrastructure. Each server gets a control panel, file and SFTP access, a live console, scheduled tasks, and automatic backups. Availability targets are best-effort; we do not guarantee uninterrupted service.
Billing and payments
Paid servers are sold as recurring subscriptions billed through Stripe, our payment processor. You may pay monthly, or prepay a 3-, 6-, or 12-month term for a lower effective rate. Prices are shown before you check out.
When you change plans mid-term, we prorate the difference: an upgrade charges the prorated amount now, a downgrade applies a credit to your next invoice. Prepaid terms are not refunded when you downgrade or cancel; the credit stays on your account against future charges.
Failed payments and suspension
If a payment fails, Stripe retries it on a schedule and we email you to update your card. If payment still does not go through, your server is suspended — it stops running, but your files are kept. A suspended server's files are retained for 14 days, after which the server and its data are permanently deleted. Settling payment before then brings the server back online.
Cancellation
You can cancel a server at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period, so the server keeps running until then. While a cancellation is pending, you can resume the subscription and nothing changes. After the period ends, the server is suspended and the 14-day file retention above applies.
Donations and community funding
Each server can have a public funding page where other people voluntarily contribute toward its cost. Donations are voluntary and non-refundable. We deduct a platform fee and the payment processor's fee from each contribution; the remainder is credited toward the server's cost. The platform fee is disclosed on the funding page and in your billing history.
Referrals
We may offer a referral program that rewards you for inviting new customers. Rewards are for genuine referrals only. Creating fake accounts, referring yourself, or otherwise abusing the program forfeits any pending and earned rewards, at our discretion.
Free and comped servers
We may provide free or discounted ("comped") servers at our sole discretion — for example, for community partners. A comped server carries no payment obligation and can be changed or ended by us at any time.
Acceptable use
Your use of every server is subject to our Acceptable Use Policy. Violations may lead to suspension or termination.
No warranty
The service is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, or for lost data, profits, or goodwill. Our total liability for any claim relating to the service is limited to the amount you paid us for the affected server in the three months before the claim.
You are responsible for keeping your own backups of anything you cannot afford to lose. We keep backups as a convenience, not as a guarantee.
Changes to these terms
We may update these terms from time to time. When we do, we will change the "last updated" date above and, for material changes, make reasonable effort to notify you. Continuing to use the service after a change means you accept the updated terms.
Contact
Questions about these terms? Email goblin@hostgoblin.com.