My team and I have been planning to create a server for some time now. We already run a development community where we release paid resources, all 100% made by us, without using any external Intellectual Property.
We are considering building a server where most (if not all) of the resources would be developed from scratch by us.
Of course, every server needs maintenance and hosting, which involves costs.
After reading through FiveM’s and Rockstar’s ToS, it’s still unclear how server owners can monetize and generate revenue from their servers.
As far as we know, real-life brands are not allowed (which makes sense). Additionally, sponsorships, selling in-game currency, and loot boxes are also prohibited.
So, what options are left?
If I have to put all my effort into building a well-made server from scratch, I would at least like to cover the service costs through the server’s revenue.
What about development?
If we decide to abandon the idea of running a server, we could at least focus on developing and selling our paid resources. Right?
Probably not. Based on what I’ve read in the ToS (which, by the way, is extremely unclear and contradictory), most self-made content and UGC also seem to be prohibited.
(iv) making new games, stories, missions, or maps;
Last question
Is it still possible to monetize and sell custom-made resources (mainly NUI-based scripts) on the Tebex platform?
We have no intention of breaking any rules or risking legal action from Rockstar. We just want to understand what is allowed and what isn’t.
Every single one of these questions is answered in the TOS at FiveM.net/terms which is very clear and is not contradictory. The language is pretty specific and requires contextual reading.
You can absolutely monetize your a server and you can absolutely sell scripts, both through Tebex. The TOS covers what you cannot monetize like in-game currency, NFTs, etc.
It seems you are already breaking the TOS if you are selling paid scripts through your discord and not through the authorized Tebex platform.
I was scrolling through R* ToS (I’ll read more carefully) and I saw something about the prohibition of using or modifying in any way R*'s Intellectual Property on “covered games”, which include amything related to GTA, including its code or assets.
That’s where all my doubts started.
Of course I can not sell a GTA V original interior with some modified textures.
But can I sell a resource that uses some GTA V original props to add some logic to them? (e.g. A phone booth).
The entirety of the game is R*'s IP, so is FiveM itself even legal at this point?
But FiveM is under Rockstar now, and that’s even more confusing. That’s why I used the terms “confusing” and “contradictory”.
Now let’s talk about the server. As we all know, the vast majority of servers, both small and big ones, are breaking the ToS. And some of them are getting banned as well.
But what if I want to respect the rules? Basically I can only sell queue priorities, VIP packs with no real benefits other than aesthetic ones. Maybe some custom made peds, clothing or cars (with no brand on them ofc). I can not have a sponsor. I can not sell anything that gives in-game advantage.
How am I supposed to run a server then?
So many servers are breaking the rules without getting banned, because they bring a lot of players to the game. If R* had to enforce their rules, almost EVERY server would be dead by now, and they would lose all FiveM’s playerbase.
I don’t know man… why did they even buy FiveM in the first place, if they don’t want “Custom Servers” to exist?
Please read this carefully before jumping to conclusions. Thanks.
Yes, as long as you don’t include R*-made props or other IP. It’s just code at that point, which is your creation, and would not be against TOS in any way.
As for the current enforcement practices, I agree it’s not ideal; your best recourse is to document and report any servers violating the TOS via the support portal, and avoid playing on / otherwise supporting such servers.
As far as I am aware, the “not allowed to sell ingame advantage” is no longer a thing since the PLA got introduced. I could not find a mention about that. Morally questionable, sure. But entirely viable now.
Things I have thought about for projects (I currently only sell resources, none of these have been made reality):
Limit vehicle space for “free” players (e.g. they can only own 5 cars, if they want more, they need a subscription)
Only allow vehicle/weapon modification for subscribed players
Limit character slots (if your server supports multicharacter systems)
Limited access to gamemodes (e.g. subscriber only sessions)
Queue system
Custom clothing / vehicle/weapon liveries
Unbanana requests
Access to properties
Inventory size
etc
(these have not been ranked in any form, some are morally questionable, this is just a train of thoughts)
You’re right… I did not pay attention to that but actually I can’t find the word “advantage” or similar both in FiveM’s and Rockstar’s PLAs anymore.
But the PLA clearly mentions “loot boxes”. What is to be considered a “loot box”?
If it only refers to random reward packs, I think it’s totally reasonable.
If it refers also to any kind of premium pack that gives advantage (e.g. A property with xx slots inventory), then we’re screwed anyways.
“Loot boxes” generally require the reward to be randomized, if the full reward(s) are known in advance before the player purchases it it most likely won’t count as one.
4.4. Commercial exploitation
[…] (1) the sale of “loot boxes” or similar mechanics for real-world currency, cryptocurrency, or in-game currency; […]
It is not defined what “in-game currency” means in the PLA at all (and not in R* legal texts). My personal thought is that it means “virtual currency that can be acquired via real money”. However this is my take and not what R* might have intended here.
The only other mention in R* legal I could find was “in-game virtual currency” (4.1. Virtual Items). And in the case of GTA Online you can buy this virtual currency with real money (using shark cards).
Agreed, this is what is usually applied here. Customers need to know what they are getting into. E.g. there is a 0.5% chance to get a certain item into your inventory.
My simple suggestion here: Do not sell loot boxes or in-game currency. Only sell items directly if you need to.
I remember something like this happening for battlefront, if i remember correctly it was said that to be okay lootboxes had to show the various percentages of chances for every item obtainable but to not be considered a lootbox it had to show the exact reward you would have gotten by opening it, be careful about lootboxes because since they are random they are considered as gambling in many countries and gambling is very well regulated and restricted. The best option would be just to give out an item directly
I wouldn’t have sold lootboxes on my server anyways. They are just a light form of gambling, and I want my users to get what they pay for. Honesty always pays back.
Of course I’m selling through Tebex.