We don't have any issues with you adding copy protection. The way to do it would be to verify with the itch.io API that the person running the game actually owns your game. You can use our server-side API to accomplish that: https://itch.io/docs/api/serverside
Games launched through the app are automatically passed a JWT API key. If you'd like to have the same protection without using the app then you'll need to implement "Log in with itch.io" using OAuth apps: https://itch.io/docs/api/oauth
There are some creators not uploading quality games on itch because
there is no easy DRM protection. If you ever wondered why an indie
developer wouldn't post a game on itch and would on steam, this is
probably a big consideration the developer went through. I've seen some developers doing what DireBoarGames mentioned as well, uploading the early access version but when the game is complete they are removing the game from itch. This kind of sucks for itch and its users and the developers.
I am sure I don't need to go on a long rant about DRM, but some of us developers would like an easy option for it whether it makes us friends or not :\
Based on the developers we've talked to, DRM generally isn't the limiting reason. The default DRM added to Steam is easily cracked from what I'm aware of, and once your game is cracked there's no much you can do to prevent illegal distribution. DRM makes it harder for legitimate players to run your game, and generally doesn't stop pirates. There are other DRM free sites that do quite well which backs up this observation.
I think part of the reason why people remove their game after they've run a beta is that they want to consolidate how they distribute their game. Each new platform they distribute on is a slight overhead in terms of keeping things updated. Many developers don't have the extra resources to maintain pages on alternative platforms. We're trying to combat this by making things as easy as possible.
You have made it easy, and it does add more work to distribute to multiple platforms and portals.
Here are my thoughts. I know they are not requested. So read, don't read, whatever.
I agree that many forms of DRM make it harder for legit users to play the game, and this is one of the ironic reasons itch could benefit from integrating a user friendly system. One of the reasons that pirated games thrive is the convenience (especially when you don't have to pay for it). But a good DRM backed system can be convenient too. There is added value to an online platform that organizes your games, gives you access to them on any computer once logged in, promises to help protect you against malware. It's one of the reasons I'd rather buy a game off an online platform and have it in my library then go back to the old way of having a scratched up disk with my key written on the top in marker.
But even with all that, there are arguments against it. I've heard them. I've even made them myself, before I started creating my own projects and learned how hard it is. I was never into downloading torrented games, but I've had a number of games that I bought that I couldn't play because the DRM broke and that really made me mad. I've also played new games that require a constant internet connection even when playing offline, and that also made me mad.
There will still be DRM cracked games out there. With a convenient system there is one place it can help developers, even if the game is already out there illegally. Not all users are inclined to steal. Sometimes one friend wants to play a game with another friend, and it's in that moment there are 3 choices the friends have.
1) buy the game
2) bit torrent download the game
3) pass the game on a USB drive
It is a battle against convenience. I think most would like to support the creators they like, but it is just too convenient to pass it over on that USB.
Hello!
I want to upload my game, but I dont understand how to implement copy protection. I read this topic, but I dont undestand needed steps =( My games don't need any permission like "camera, location, audio, etc"
Can you help please?
P.S. What I understand in "needed steps":
1) With web-request:
1. Send web request to https://itch.io/(?) content like: client_id: (that is taken from(?) or written by user, and he can find him in(?)) game_id: (that is taken from(?) or found in(?))
2. Get answer with content like: is_purshased: true (or false or 0 or 1)
2) Some plugin
1. Go to https://itch.io/(?), download "some name".
2. Run function (?) on application start 3. Get answer
Or something like that
