This Cookie Policy explains the first-party cookies and similar browser storage used by the Distant Shift website, what they do and which ones are optional.
Distant Shift keeps its public-site cookie setup deliberately small. Necessary preference storage is used to remember your privacy choice, while optional analytics storage is created only after you allow analytics.
The browser game also uses local browser storage for game progress and settings. That game-save storage is separate from the optional public-site analytics cookies described below.
Cookies are small pieces of information stored by your browser for a website. Websites can also use similar browser-storage technologies such as localStorage or sessionStorage.
Distant Shift uses first-party cookies and browser storage for necessary preferences, optional analytics and browser-based game functionality.
The public website stores a first-party consent preference cookie named ds_site_consent.
This cookie records whether you selected Allow Analytics or Decline Optional so the website can remember your choice and avoid repeatedly showing the consent banner.
This preference cookie is used even when optional analytics is declined because it is needed to remember that privacy choice.
If you allow website analytics, Distant Shift creates a first-party cookie named ds_site_visitor.
It contains a random visitor identifier used to recognise repeat visits from the same browser without requiring a Distant Shift account or storing your name in the analytics identifier.
The current intended maximum lifetime is approximately 365 days. It is not created by the public-site analytics system unless analytics has been allowed.
If you allow website analytics, Distant Shift creates a first-party cookie named ds_site_session.
It contains a random session identifier used to group pageviews and meaningful interactions into the same browsing session.
The current session lifetime is approximately 30 minutes and is renewed while tracked activity continues.
When analytics is allowed and you click a Distant Shift game-launch link, the website may temporarily place a small launch context in sessionStorage under ds_site_launch_context.
This can contain a random launch identifier together with the anonymous site session, pageview and visitor identifiers needed to connect the website click with later game-funnel stages.
sessionStorage is temporary browser storage associated with the current browser tab or session rather than a long-lived cookie.
When allowed, optional first-party website analytics may measure pageviews, landing and exit pages, visit duration, active time, scroll depth, meaningful navigation or button interactions, referrals, campaign attribution and clicks that open the game.
It may also use anonymous visitor and session identifiers together with technical details such as browser language, timezone, device type and screen or viewport size.
Further detail is available in the Privacy Policy.
If a tracked visit arrives with campaign parameters in the URL, analytics may record values such as UTM source, medium, campaign, term and content, together with advertising click identifiers such as GCLID, GBRAID or WBRAID where present.
These values are analytics data taken from the incoming URL. They are not separate cookies created by Distant Shift's first-party analytics script.
Distant Shift stores game progress and game settings in browser storage so that the game can continue between sessions.
This game-save storage is not the same thing as the optional public-site analytics cookies.
Clearing all browser or site data can remove locally stored game progress. If you want to preserve your game progress, use the game's supported export functionality before removing Distant Shift browser storage.
The game has its own analytics consent flow and may store the player's analytics preference and, when allowed, an anonymous analytics identifier within browser storage.
The game remains playable if optional game analytics is declined.
The public website and game analytics systems are related parts of Distant Shift but their consent experiences are handled separately.
If you choose Allow Analytics on the public website, the site analytics visitor and session identifiers can be created and the analytics system can begin recording consented website activity.
Your consent preference is remembered for approximately 365 days unless it is changed or removed earlier.
If you choose Decline Optional, optional public-site analytics does not start.
The site analytics script removes the optional ds_site_visitor and ds_site_session cookies and clears its temporary game-launch context where browser access permits.
The ds_site_consent preference remains so the website can remember that you declined.
You can reopen the public website consent controls using the Cookie Settings control in the site footer.
If you change from allowing analytics to declining it, optional analytics stops and the public-site analytics identifiers are removed by the site script.
You can also use your browser's own cookie and site-data controls, but removing all Distant Shift browser storage may also remove locally stored game progress.
Distant Shift contains links to external websites and services. If you follow one of those links, the destination may use its own cookies or tracking technologies under its own policies.
This Cookie Policy covers cookies and similar storage used by Distant Shift itself and does not describe storage created after you leave the Distant Shift website.
This Cookie Policy may be updated if Distant Shift changes its cookies, analytics, browser storage, website features or connected services.
The effective date shown on this page will be updated when material changes are made.
Questions about Distant Shift cookies, analytics or browser storage can be sent to [email protected] or raised through the Contact page.
Use the website's Cookie Settings control when you only want to change optional website analytics.
Clearing all browser or site data may also remove locally stored Distant Shift game progress.