Yes, it's a shame you have to deal with that. For in the future, back when I had to deal with unrooted devices, I used Adguard DNS to block ads, which is really easy (and free) to set up: https://techviral.net/use-adguard-dns-on-android/
Oh, for sure. In fact, you can export your characters and import them again on other devices, if you don't want to make an account. I use Android and never had any credit card request pop up, maybe that's an iOS thing?
But, yeah, the only function of an account is to enable sync between devices... As far as I know.
I just checked, but there aren't any ads on the website. I checked with the creator of the app, too, as I was just talking with him, and he confirms that there aren't any ads on it. So I don't know what to tell you 🤔😅
Oh, but he did tell me that there's ads on the mobile version of the app, and that he doesn't have control of its contents. I don't see any ads, I rooted my devices 😇
But... There's a difference between instances and platforms. These are platforms.
I mean, your point is still valid, these platforms might not really be interested in gathering more users, but it's not a matter of having a small server you want to keep to yourself. People could host these platforms on their own server, after all.
I have! But.. Well, call me newfangled, but I couldn't really get used to not being able to use the mouse to drag and drop stuff to other programs.
I like using the keyboard, but I do use it in combination with the mouse, not exclusively. I don't have the memory for keyboard shortcuts, for one... Especially for stuff I don't do on the regular.
Yes, it's a shame you have to deal with that. For in the future, back when I had to deal with unrooted devices, I used Adguard DNS to block ads, which is really easy (and free) to set up: https://techviral.net/use-adguard-dns-on-android/
I can really recommend it 👌