Red Shell tracker - Revision history

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-24T12:28:14Z

Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 24 February 2026
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	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==

	Fatshark, the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2, responded to the Red Shell controversy by acknowledging the community's concerns and announcing they would remove the software.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Calvin \|first=Alex \|date=19 Jun 2018 \|title=Vermintide, Elder Scrolls and Total War devs ditch Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ \|url-status= \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz}}</ref> In a statement on their official forums, they clarified that Red Shell was used only to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and did not collect personal information. They also stated that they understood the concerns and, due to the backlash and lack of player consent, they would disable and fully remove Red Shell from the game in a future update.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|last=Hedge \|date=2018-06-15 \|title=Red Shell Spyware? :: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Helmgart Keep - General Discussions \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19#c3559414588253858897 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250506091529/https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19 \|archive-date=6 May 2025}}</ref>		Fatshark, the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2, responded to the Red Shell controversy by acknowledging the community's concerns and announcing they would remove the software.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Calvin \|first=Alex \|date=19 Jun 2018 \|title=Vermintide, Elder Scrolls and Total War devs ditch Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ \|url-status= \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251205223856/https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ \|archive-date=5 Dec 2025}}</ref> In a statement on their official forums, they clarified that Red Shell was used only to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and did not collect personal information. They also stated that they understood the concerns and, due to the backlash and lack of player consent, they would disable and fully remove Red Shell from the game in a future update.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|last=Hedge \|date=2018-06-15 \|title=Red Shell Spyware? :: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Helmgart Keep - General Discussions \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19#c3559414588253858897 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250506091529/https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19 \|archive-date=6 May 2025}}</ref>

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 8 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T07:14:44Z

Added archive URLs for 8 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:14, 23 February 2026
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	==Red Shell Data Harvesting==		==Red Shell Data Harvesting==
	The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>		The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173605/https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

	The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>		The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114073753/https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173606/https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250307171414/https://old.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|archive-date=7 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211205505/https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251030154108/https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|archive-date=30 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241208142133/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|archive-date=8 Dec 2024}}</ref>

	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==

	Fatshark, the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2, responded to the Red Shell controversy by acknowledging the community's concerns and announcing they would remove the software.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Calvin \|first=Alex \|date=19 Jun 2018 \|title=Vermintide, Elder Scrolls and Total War devs ditch Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ \|url-status= \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz}}</ref> In a statement on their official forums, they clarified that Red Shell was used only to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and did not collect personal information. They also stated that they understood the concerns and, due to the backlash and lack of player consent, they would disable and fully remove Red Shell from the game in a future update.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|last=Hedge \|date=2018-06-15 \|title=Red Shell Spyware? :: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Helmgart Keep - General Discussions \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19#c3559414588253858897 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref>		Fatshark, the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2, responded to the Red Shell controversy by acknowledging the community's concerns and announcing they would remove the software.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Calvin \|first=Alex \|date=19 Jun 2018 \|title=Vermintide, Elder Scrolls and Total War devs ditch Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ \|url-status= \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz}}</ref> In a statement on their official forums, they clarified that Red Shell was used only to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and did not collect personal information. They also stated that they understood the concerns and, due to the backlash and lack of player consent, they would disable and fully remove Red Shell from the game in a future update.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|last=Hedge \|date=2018-06-15 \|title=Red Shell Spyware? :: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Helmgart Keep - General Discussions \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19#c3559414588253858897 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250506091529/https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19 \|archive-date=6 May 2025}}</ref>

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==

Bythmusters: Added cargo template. Not sure if this article is supposed to be about Red Shell itself or the incident if Red Shell being found in Warhammer Vermintide, please clarify

2026-01-13T23:42:22Z

Added cargo template. Not sure if this article is supposed to be about Red Shell itself or the incident if Red Shell being found in Warhammer Vermintide, please clarify

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:42, 13 January 2026
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			{{IncidentCargo
			\|Company=
			\|StartDate=2018
			\|EndDate=
			\|Status=Active
			\|ProductLine=
			\|Product=
			\|ArticleType=Product
			\|Type=Advertising, Privacy, Surveillance
			\|Description=
			}}
	The Red Shell Tracker is a tracker used in many popular games.		The Red Shell Tracker is a tracker used in many popular games.

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson at 18:50, 11 November 2025

2025-11-11T18:50:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:50, 11 November 2025
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	~~{{Incomplete}}~~The Red Shell Tracker is a tracker used in many popular games.		The Red Shell Tracker is a tracker used in many popular games.

	==Red Shell Data Harvesting==		==Red Shell Data Harvesting==

2A00:23C8:2384:101:B34:3E7B:6AF4:18CF at 16:49, 9 November 2025

2025-11-09T16:49:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:49, 9 November 2025
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	The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>		The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>

	The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75}} \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>		The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>

	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==

2A00:23C8:2384:101:B34:3E7B:6AF4:18CF: (template as written doesnt exist, have to have an unnecessary warning for using correct username)

2025-11-09T16:48:44Z

(template as written doesnt exist, have to have an unnecessary warning for using correct username)

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 9 November 2025
Line 4:		Line 4:
	The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>		The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>

	The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last=~~{{as written\|~~u/Alexspeed75}} \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>		The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75}} \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>

	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==

2A00:23C8:2384:101:B34:3E7B:6AF4:18CF: fixed cite warning (for real this time)

2025-11-09T16:44:26Z

fixed cite warning (for real this time)

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 9 November 2025
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	The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>		The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>

	The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|~~author~~=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>		The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last={{as written\|u/Alexspeed75}} \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>

	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==

2A00:23C8:2384:101:B34:3E7B:6AF4:18CF: /* Red Shell Data Harvesting */ fixed cite warning

2025-11-09T16:36:28Z

Red Shell Data Harvesting: fixed cite warning

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 9 November 2025
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	The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>		The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>

	The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|~~last~~=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>		The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|author=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>

	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==

2A00:23C8:2384:101:B34:3E7B:6AF4:18CF: /* Red Shell Data Harvesting */ added more refs

2025-11-09T16:18:20Z

Red Shell Data Harvesting: added more refs

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:18, 9 November 2025
Line 4:		Line 4:
	The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>		The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>

	The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy. While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>		The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|last=Chalk \|first=Andy \|date=2018-06-19 \|title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) \|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=PC Gamer}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>

	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==

	Fatshark, the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2, responded to the Red Shell controversy by acknowledging the community's concerns and announcing they would remove the software.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Calvin \|first=Alex \|date=19 Jun 2018 \|title=Vermintide, Elder Scrolls and Total War devs ditch Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ \|url-status= \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz}}</ref> In a statement on their official forums, they clarified that Red Shell was used only to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and did not collect personal information. ~~However, they~~ stated that they ~~took privacy seriously~~ and, due to the backlash and lack of player consent, they would disable and fully remove Red Shell from the game in a future update.		Fatshark, the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2, responded to the Red Shell controversy by acknowledging the community's concerns and announcing they would remove the software.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Calvin \|first=Alex \|date=19 Jun 2018 \|title=Vermintide, Elder Scrolls and Total War devs ditch Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ \|url-status= \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz}}</ref> In a statement on their official forums, they clarified that Red Shell was used only to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and did not collect personal information. They also stated that they understood the concerns and, due to the backlash and lack of player consent, they would disable and fully remove Red Shell from the game in a future update.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|last=Hedge \|date=2018-06-15 \|title=Red Shell Spyware? :: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Helmgart Keep - General Discussions \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19#c3559414588253858897 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref>

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==

	The consumer response to the Red Shell incident in Warhammer: Vermintide 2 was largely negative, with many players expressing anger and frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the data tracking tool. Many felt that the inclusion of Red Shell without prior notification or consent was a violation of their privacy. Players on forums, social media, and review sites criticized Fatshark for using tracking software that they perceived as a form of spyware, even though the data collected was anonymized.<ref name=":0" />		The consumer response to the Red Shell incident in Warhammer: Vermintide 2 was largely negative, with many players expressing anger and frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the data tracking tool.<ref name=":3" /> Many felt that the inclusion of Red Shell without prior notification or consent was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2" /> Players on forums, social media, and review sites criticized Fatshark for using tracking software that they perceived as a form of spyware, even though the data collected was anonymized.<ref name=":0" />

	Some players were particularly upset because they were unaware that the tool was running in the background, especially those who had obtained the game through free promotions or discounts. Concerns were raised about the game's integrity and trustworthiness, with accusations that it might lead to further, more invasive forms of tracking in the future.<ref name=":1" /> This backlash led to widespread criticism, and in response, Fatshark removed Red Shell from the game in late June 2018, apologizing to players for the oversight and assuring them that their privacy would be respected moving forward.		Some players were particularly upset because they were unaware that the tool was running in the background, especially those who had obtained the game through free promotions or discounts.{{Citation needed}} Concerns were raised about the game's integrity and trustworthiness, with accusations that it might lead to further, more invasive forms of tracking in the future.<ref name=":1" /> This backlash led to widespread criticism, and in response, Fatshark removed Red Shell from the game in late June 2018, apologizing to players for the oversight and assuring them that their privacy would be respected moving forward.<ref name=":4" />

	==References==		==References==

2A00:23C8:2384:101:B34:3E7B:6AF4:18CF: /* Red Shell Data Harvesting */ removed irrelevant warhammer mentions

2025-11-09T14:14:39Z

Red Shell Data Harvesting: removed irrelevant warhammer mentions

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	==Red Shell Data Harvesting==		==Red Shell Data Harvesting==
	The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several ~~games—including ''Warhammer: Vermintide 2''—had~~ silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>		The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Bailey \|first=Dustin \|date=18 Jun 2018 \|title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell \|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware \|url-status=live \|access-date=24 Jun 2025 \|website=pcgamesn.com}}</ref>

	The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy. While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> ~~Free players, who obtained the game during promotional giveaways or free weekends, were also exposed to Red Shell, further intensifying the backlash.~~ Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>		The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy. While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=@BrokenClock \|date=2018-06-11 \|title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback \|url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Fatshark Forums}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web \|last=u/Alexspeed75 \|date=2018-06-09 \|title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=wiuuuh \|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) \|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=steamcommunity.com}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Good \|first=Owen S. \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Valentine \|first=Rebekah \|date=2018-06-20 \|title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints \|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints \|access-date=2025-11-09 \|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>

	==Fatshark's response==		==Fatshark's response==