This is a suggestion (as the forum suggests), with no priority anyway.

I read the EULA once, twice, thrice (not really).
Because I can't be bothered to read this text every time I login, right now I have to fear accepting any unnoticed changes therein, and while I'm trusting there won't be any without notice, I can't be really sure.

Because of that, and simply for player convenience (clicking fewer boxes to login) I suggest accepting the EULA be remembered in the config. Actual changes to the EULA or major client updates once in a while then reset this field (and maybe actually force readers to scroll down the text).
Highlighting changes is a bonus.

For the possibility of multiple accounts on a client the config would need to remember per account name.

Additionally the EULA then should have a button in the main Options menu.

And I say again, this is just me posting with my 'new player perception' (and how I know this works elsewhere), nothing i'm hung up about :)

Either read it every time, or stop worrying about whether you missed something. Guild shouldn't waste time implementing the changes necessary to spoonfeed a goddamned user agreement to lazy, snot-nosed nubs.

ouch, that was harsh.

Being probably the only other person on this forum who reads the EULA of everything he installs (Considering I'm running Linux this is easy though), I agree with this.

Given that we are paying for the game, we should be notified if our rights as paying customers are changed.

we should be notified if our rights as paying customers are changed

They put all the words that would effect any change to your rights ON YOUR SCREEN, every time you log in. If you miserable wretches can't read the english language, or are too lazy to read the contract to which you must assent, get lost.

Hehe. No, I can't tell he's an attorney. Why do you ask?

You should go into UI Development Lecter.

Seriously though. It's an EULA. If this were a game or an application with some serious content creation tools, then yeah sure, be worried about it. But as it is, all these lawyers do when they draft them up is pick pocket their closest colleague (probably for their wallet as well), replace a couple terms, print out the invoice, then take the same colleague out for a congratulatory lunch (paying for it with their colleagues money of course).

Making people agree to a lengthy contract repeatedly, while carefully avoiding any commitment to point out any changes, could be a very effective means to get people to agree to anything, without them ever realizing it.

It is completely irresponsible of us, as consumers, to patron a company that sets this kind of precedent.

Edit: I would accept as a resolution, that the EULA prominently display the latest date of modification. I will not log in again until this issue is corrected.

I think the insinuations that GSW has malicious intent towards its userbase are 'not nice'. So far, the developers have shown behaviour that suggests anything but that, so I'm willing to trust them and believe that they are not going to simply add major changes to the EULA as they see fit without prior warning to the community.

Plus, Lecter is perfectly right. They give us the information. If someone is too lazy to read it, they have no right to complain. As I see it, the EULA is the first and best defense a company has against irrational customer complaints, and that would be another reason to humor the developers.

Perhaps a check box on the initial login screen just below the password field which indicates agreement with the EULA to bypass the EULA screen. Logging in with the box unchecked brings up the EULA. Checking the box also brings up the EULA. This box could be automatically unchecked if the EULA changes.

I think you shouldn't worry too much

No one said we think guild software is malicious in any way. It's common sense not to make a brand new contract every time you open the game.

To anyone who hasn't been with GS forever and a day, this is a bit of a dealbreaker.

It would be completely reasonable to have a auto-checkmark unless the EULA changed at the very least; or have it only show up when updated.

There is no point in asking a malicious company to not behave in a malicious manner. It is our responsibility as consumers to ask honest companies to behave in an honest manner, so that malicious companies will stand out in contrast. It is irresponsible of us as consumers to allow honest companies to set irresponsible presidents that malicious companies can then blend in with. I believe that guild software intends to be a socially responsible company, and I am insisting that they behave accordingly.

I second zamzx zik here.
"No one said we think guild software is malicious in any way."
Really, anyone believing so and still posting here and playing the game...? C'mon get real.

But I have to disagree with toshiro and likewise opinions on this:
"They give us the information. If someone is too lazy to read it, they have no right to complain."
This has nothing to do with lazyness...
On the contrary that would explain those given stances here, as I would be really surprised if those ever read the text twice. Because if you forced yourself to (if only looking for changes), after that it would really become a chore to do so and just cries to be addressed.

Well lengthy discussion on this topic just might give the devs more incentive to look at this issue (which I'd welcome) with higher priority (which I wouldn't).
It's been suggested. Good enough for me.

OT: to Dr. Lecter:
Now I could say how "spoonfed" is the EULA currently being "ON YOUR SCREEN, every time you log in" which would lead me to some conclusion, but frankly I don't care.
Still there might be players here, especially new ones, who take such response as aggravating and insulting and thus refrain from posting their feedback because they feel it's just not worth it.
Which might be what your aiming at, but is in direct contrast to GS' wish for players feedback, as stated ingame and here on the website.
I'm not impressed.
Your opinion of the matter as in "Guild shouldn't waste time implementing [xyz]" is just another saying for 'My wishlist is more important than yours' and competing for the sparse dev's resources.
Well dang, i'm not competing. See, if you read my post carefully you'd 've noticed the "no prio/just FYI", right?
Anyway since what's important is not yours to decide, I really don't give a shit.

To be noted: I also see many good-natured critiques and mature discussion in general which for me by far outweights the trollings, and I hope it does too for everyone else.

I guess I have been sort of busy lately...

...And you people complain about how GSW doesn't get around to the things they said would be "soon"?

Are you crazy? Just click the accept button (it's not that hard) and worry about that problem later, when we have a functioning economy, much better faction system, and the other things that are included in "Universe Redux."

No worries, genka; got it covered.

Trolls aside, this is easy to fix. It isn't a major programming challenge. I see no reason that this issue can not be resolved in very short order, should Guild Software choose to do so.

I would not be happy to think that GSW is intentionally ignoring this thread and/or the problem addressed by this thread. To be on the safe side I have submitted a bug report title "failure to date EULA" (bug report #3721) pointing to this thread.

If you feel that it is important that GSW be aware of this issue and/or this thread then please submit a bug report of your own.

Idiot.