Protecting Your Alpha Build, Early Access & Side Content
It’s an inevitable part of making an interactive fiction game that someone will, at some point, leak your in-progress work.
This sucks. It will feel personal. It will hurt. It’s not a great feeling knowing that something you’ve spent years creating, something that you’ve put your sweat, blood, and tears into is essentially being pirated. Developing an IF is demanding, to the point where many games cannot get off the ground if the author does not have enough funding to make ends meet. This is a full time job to many of us and we are dependent on Patreon and Ko-fi as platforms to make a living. Part of running a platform like that is offering exclusive paid-for content, often in the form of alpha builds, early access, NSFW content, and side stories.
IF developers are not massive companies with billions of dollars to throw around. We are independent authors, often working alone, often just scraping by, making games that will eventually be fairly low cost to purchase or completely free. Unfortunately, some players are entitled enough to believe they deserve access to free alpha or side story content at no cost to them simply because they want it and they want it now.
These people are assholes. And, quite frankly, fuck them.
If you’re an independent IF developer making your game in Twine and releasing on itch.io, here’s a few strategies to help keep your private content private.
1) Keep Your Public and Private Builds Separate
If you have exclusive content, upload it as a separate copy of the game. Do not put alpha content in the public build of your game. Anything that is in the HTML file can be easily accessed through the browser.
When your game launches, it loads through the iframe, which will display all of the content included in in your game file. This includes your JavaScript, your stylesheet, and the contents of every passage, including ones locked behind a password. Even if you’ve password-protected sections of your game directly in Twine using something like HiEv's Simple Password Hiding, it can still be easily bypassed if it's part of the public build's files.
A solution to this is to make different builds depending on your needs. When you upload content to itch, set your builds that are not intended for public access to Restricted mode.
This will block the project’s page from being viewed by anyone who does not have the password. You can then input a password for your patrons and supporters, which will be properly encrypted by itch.
Restricted mode will prevent your game from showing up in search results and it will also not display on your profile.
In my case, I have three builds for Wayfarer:
Public
Playtester
Alpha
The top one is the public build, which anyone can access. The Playtester and Alpha builds are both in password-protected Restricted modes.
When I do my updates, I compile each build separately (I am usually changing version numbers and a few different things between them, so they contain slightly different information), treat them like three different games, and make three separate ZIP files for upload.
2) Do Not Use Draft Mode to Share Content
Draft mode is another private mode on itch.io. It is intended to be a draft of your game page, so you can get all your information, assets and files together before you hit publish. When your project is in Draft mode, it is unsearchable and no one can access it except those with Editor permissions. However, Draft mode comes with something called a “secret URL”, which bypasses the restrictions. Anyone with the URL can access the game page.
Do not use the secret URL to share alpha or exclusive content. Because anyone with the URL can access the game page, it is essentially a public link. Secret URLs should never be handed to patrons or even your playtesting team. Only use it for situations where you need a second opinion from trusted individuals.
3) Change Your Passwords Regularly
Passwords can still be shared, so it’s a good idea to change them regularly on a monthly or bi-monthly schedule.
If you run a Patreon, keep a pinned post at the top of your Patreon that has all your current build details, the link to your alpha build (or side content) and its current password. This way it is easy for your patrons to find the access information, as well as any patch notes or game updates they may have missed.
4) Download Keys
Alternatively, if you don’t want to use passwords, you can integrate your itch.io and Patreon accounts and give out access keys to your patrons. Download keys grant permanent access to the restricted project’s page, content, and files. Download keys are associated with a single itch.io account and cannot be shared.
Information about download keys is found under Edit game -> Distribute -> Download keys. You can create keys manually, or configure your settings to generate bulk keys for your patrons based on their tier level.
However, if you do decide to go this route, you may run into difficulties if your Patreon is in a different currency than your itch.io currency. (I ended up removing the integration as the troubleshooting was too time consuming to deal with on a month-to-month basis.)
These preventative measures are not guaranteed to work 100% of the time, but it should help discourage easy access to exclusive content. There is always the risk that your patrons and playtesters may abuse their privileges and share links and passwords. Ultimately, if someone wants to pirate the alpha build of your game, they will.
This is where the community comes in. If you are a player, discourage piracy where you can. If an IF dev is trusting you—whether you are a playtester or a patron—with early access, keep it to yourself. Don’t share links, keys, or passwords.
Even if you desperately want access to alpha work and can’t afford it, please keep in mind that IF developers are indie creators struggling to make a living. We are not major game studios. Don’t steal our work and pass it around. It’s disrespectful to us, our games, and our communities.
You are not entitled to early access simply because you like the game and you want new content badly enough.
I have a bad habit of never finishing writing I start - I work hard on a story, make it to 3/4 of the way through, then lose passion for it and start something else. I know the key to overcoming this is discipline, and I’m trying very hard to make myself keep going with my current story that I like very much and spent so much time researching and outlining, but it’s a struggle every day to make my writing goal. Any advice for how to re-ignite writing spark or how to push through to the end?
We can lose our drive to write for a lot of reasons. It often indicates a growing maturity as an artist — you understand the craft better and your own (current) limitations better, and so you begin to feel overwhelmed in a way you didn’t before. It can also be that external anxieties are getting in the way or simply that you’ve lost interest in your current project.
Hope is not lost. Read on for some tips on reclaiming your writing spark.
Shift gears
Sometimes, all you need to reignite your writing spark is to engage your brain in a different way. If you’re struggling with your novel, take a break and try writing a poem or a piece of flash fiction. Or, you could try drawing sketches of your characters, a map of your story’s world, or some possible outfits for your climactic battle scene (it doesn’t have to be good. No one’s going to see it).
The trick is to stay creative but to approach your work from a different angle.
Change location
If you’ve been trying and failing to write at your desk, surrounded by crumpled up dreams drafts and last week’s candy wrappers, you may be suffering from an environment with stagnant energy. Try taking yourself on a writer’s date: go to a location that fits the tone of the project you’re working on (lux hotel lobby, seedy theatre bar, the wilds of a nearby park), and see if that gets your creative wheels turning.
Dress [in]appropriately
In Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg has a chapter called “Blue Lipstick and a Cigarette Hanging Out Your Mouth”. By this she meant, “Use outfits and props to step outside yourself and get a new perspective”. You might find it helpful to have a special “writer’s sweater” that you only wear when you’re writing or to dress like someone confident and cool enough to smash writer’s block in the face.
Do some soul-searching
What’s really going on here? If the above tricks aren’t doing it for you, there may be some bigger issues at play that are inhibiting you from connecting to your writing spark.
Write letters
I’ve written about the restorative powers of letter writing before, and I’ll mention it again: handwritten letters are a great way to get the words flowing. You don’t actually have to send them when you’re done (although you can if you want to); the recipient doesn’t even need to exist. Simply by putting your thoughts down in a low-risk way, you’re unclogging your creative pipes.
Join a writing group
There’s power and accountability in numbers. You can find writing groups online, through community centres and writers centres, or by sticking a flyer up in a bookshop and starting your own. There’s even a Novlr writing community on Discord where we share tips, struggles, and just generally talk craft! By inviting other people into your writing practice, you’ll have some support and encouragement to keep you going.
Find your writing spark with writing prompts
The internet is awash with writing prompts. These can be a helpful way to get something down on paper and stretch out your writing muscles. Whether it’s a premise, an opening line, or a character study, writing prompts can give you a gentle, creative push and even inspire new work.
Experiment with found structure
If writing a traditional story feels like pulling out your own teeth, try a found structure story. This means using fictional “found material” like shopping lists, calendars, to-do lists, ticket stubs, banking records, and so forth to create a narrative.
Here’s an example: Imagine a week in which a bride-to-be prepares for her glorious wedding, is left at the altar, rages in misery, and ultimately emerges healthier and stronger. Now, write her shopping list for each day of that week. How does it change from beginning to end? How much emotional detail can you communicate to the reader through the items that appear on these lists? This can be a fun way to create a story without the anxiety of writing it.
Set a petty life goal
I am a proud champion of the value of pettiness as a motivator. There are plenty of noble reasons to write: to share powerful stories, to help readers in need of healing, to inspire others to write stories themselves, and to draw attention to important social issues or minority identities.
There are also some really inane and selfish reasons to write: to become more famous than your ex, to appear on TV and make your ex regret everything they’ve ever done to you, to have your book made into a movie and receive casting consultation rights and pitch your favourite actor in the lead role and allow them to take you for coffee as a thank you. But the thing is… these are the motivations that are really going to pull you out of the dirt when you need it most. Find the silly driving goal that really gets under your skin and hold onto it for dear life.
Forgive yourself
Many writers experience a lot of shame when they aren’t writing as much as they feel they should. Needless to say, this shame only makes the writing harder. Allow yourself the space to take some time when you need it, process your struggles, and return when you’re ready. The page will be waiting when you get back.
First update will include: Prologue and Chapter One
Warnings: Blood and injuries, sexism, profanity, temporary character death, child neglect, parental physical and emotional abuse, optional sexual content, and more. Suitable for ages 16+. List will be updated in the future.
This game is in early development and a work in progress. There may be future changes to location names, plot etc.
You’ve never felt loved by your family before.
Born a twin but feeling more like a shadow, you’ve watched your younger brother, Nolan, receive all the love and praise you were denied. But no matter how unkind you are to him, Nolan’s loyalty and kindness towards you remains unwavering. It’s as if there’s a bond pulling you back everytime you think of leaving it all behind.
Now a mysterious illness has swept through Valorian Kingdom’s royal court, leaving many nobles, including the king at death’s door. The Oracle’s prophecy offers a single hope: the Crown Prince must gather five lost souls to join him in a dangerous journey towards Coven’s Swampy, an ominous and foreboding area hidden deep within the mystical forest.
You are chosen to be one of those five.
As you venture deep into the forest, the journey will push you to the limits of courage and loyalty, forcing you to question everything you believe about family and love. This might not just be a journey to save the day, but a journey towards self-discovery for you and everyone in your group. So when the journey ends, will there be anything left of the person who first stepped into the darkness?
Customize your MC! Change your appearance and control your personality. MC starts out as female, but there will be transition options.
Grow a relationship with your twin! Choose to either continue being unkind to your twin brother or getting to know him instead. Your MC's relationship with him may affect some major events.
Develop relationships! There are six romanceable characters - 3 male, 2 gender selectable, and 1 non-binary. Or you can avoid romance and keep it all platonic.
Learn and improve your skills! With the option to choose to either be a mage, knight, or both, you can learn and improve your skills to become better at what you do.
Find yourself! Journey through the mystical forest to not only find a cure, but to self-discovery. There are plenty of secrets to learn about that may or may not change the way you think and feel.
More to be added…
Below are the six romanceable characters in this story. You can choose to flirt with everyone, but at one point, you'll have to decide on one. Also keep in mind that there are other important characters as well that are not listed here.
Ver/Vera Forrest | Gender Selectable | 21
Playful and energetic with golden-retriever-like energy, V is always ready for adventure. They never fail to be there for you when you need someone to rant to, or a shoulder to lean on. Their cleverness and sneakiness keeps them out of most trouble due to the way they were raised. And it’s exactly how they are raised that has made them hide their burden under their positive enthusiasm.
You are best friends, so why don’t you know any of her secrets?
Oliver Astoran | he/him | 21
With a cold demeanor, Oliver holds a strong desire to protect the people he cares about, especially those whose kindness is exploited. Your unkind treatment towards your brother causes him to despise you. You are always able to press on the right buttons to rile each other up. He shows a strong sense of determination that marks his mental and physical strength. But perhaps there’s something more to the reason behind his behavior than what the eye sees.
Will you ever be able to see him in a different light, or will it just be fighting, fighting and more fighting?
Ethos Van Winston | he/him | 22
Occupation: Prince, Heir to the Throne
Burdened by the responsibility of being heir to the throne, Ethos is reserved, guarded, and serious. As a child, he was once carefree and one of your closest friends. But after an incident that left unspoken, lingering tension between you two, he now elicits a melancholic presence. His warm side is hidden away somewhere, and you wonder if there was more than just the incident that made him change.
You weren’t the reason he changed… right?
Theodore Eaves | he/him | 24
From a young age, Theodore’s life has been defined by duty and training. He’s mature for his age and has a tendency to act like an older brother to you and the group. He’s well disciplined and stoic, rarely having time to express vulnerability. His focus on duty has left him oblivious to romantic interest, despite his admired reputation due to his looks and status. His obliviousness goes further though, for reasons that he himself hasn’t fully discovered and understood.
Will you ever get to see a vulnerable side of him, instead of just that brotherly figure?
Mattie | they/them | 19
Curious as ever, Mattie often gets themselves into trouble. But with their charming personality and resourcefulness, they’re able to get themselves out of trouble. They are playful, enjoying the work of teasing others and instigating drama to get chaotic, and hopefully flustered, reactions. His skills and knowledge about the forest have proven him to be a good asset, but there is more to him than what meets the eye.
For someone who is so bright and playful, they can’t surely have anything to hide, right?
Yaran/Yara | Gender Selectable | 22
Nobody is sure they know who Y is. They seem ambitious, cunning, and deceiving; doing risky things to achieve their own goals at the cost of someone else’s pain. They are unpredictable, popping in and out of your group - sometimes being a guide, but other times hindering progress. Despite their ambiguity, they are charismatic and mysterious enough to leave your group intrigued. All there is to do now is truly learn who they are and what they have hidden inside.
Who is Y and can you trust them with anything, especially your life?
Demo | ROs Profiles
This is my first attempt at creating an interactive fiction game and using Twine Sugarcube. Please be patient and kind <3
I hope this message finds you and your family in good health. My name is Eman Zaqout from Gaza. I am reaching you out to seek your urgent help in spreading the word about our fundraiser. I lost both my home and my job due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and we are facing catastrophic living conditions. 💔
I kindly ask you to visit my campaign. Your support, whether through donating or sharing, will help us reach more people who can make a difference. Thank you for your continued support for the Palestinian cause. Your dedication brings us closer to freedom. 🙏🕊
Note: Verified by several people as 90-ghost and aces-and-angels. ☑
Hello, my name is Jaber. I’m 13 years old from Gaza, and I’ve lost almost everything to war—my home, school, and beloved family members 💔. My mother, who suffers from a heart condition, and my siblings are all I have left. We’re struggling to rebuild and find hope amid the ruins 🌄.
Your kindness could help us create a new beginning 🕊️. Any support would mean the world to me as I try to build a future from the rubble 🏡💖. Thank you for your compassion ❤️🙏.
I sincerely appeal to you from the depths of my heart to support my family in this harsh ordeal during the war in Gaza🥺🙏
The situation here is extremely tragic; we are suffering from severe food shortages, life threatening malnutrition, contaminated water unfit for drinking, and the frightening spread of diseases💔😞
Any help, no matter how small, could save a life. You can contribute by donating or even sharing this message to reach those who can help🙏🌹
Please, do not hesitate to extend a helping hand. Your humanity is our only ho❤️🖤🤍💚
the most depressing part is that it's not even kamala's stance on genocide that is costing her the elections. i wish it were. it's people genuinely shifting for trump. but it's the pro-palestine movement that's going to get the blame for it.
obviously she fucked up on that front and on multiple other fronts (an understatement) but if these results have showed anything it's that the alt right white majority will never vote for a black woman even if she were perfect. but liberals will blame arabs for the faults of white nationalism and misogyny. at this point if you're blaming the pro-palestine movement and saying shit like "are you happy now? is this what you wanted?" you're just brimming with anti-arab hatred that you're desperate to release at any given opportunity
so what now? the genocide is still ongoing and the rise of fascism is unimpeded but now people will point to those most affected by it and saying "this is what you wanted, right?" and you and i could spend the next four years arguing and yelling at those people or we can do something that matters.
mahmoud needs to pay his fees in 5 days or he will fail this semester.
amal needs to meet the soaring prices of baby food in gaza for the sake of her daughter maryam.
look out for the vulnerable and watch out for the way people are venting their frustration at fascism by blaming its victims.
please reblog this version. anger without action is nothing. if you feel like this is the end of the world remember that this is just another day of the genocide for those in gaza.
why did liam and the reader become endgame. im pissed
i assume youre talking about my jealous series... first of all, if you didnt like it, then why did you read it? i wrote it at the beginning that it was gonna be liamxreader... if you wanted it with anyone else, you can just request it
Soo I did a little something with TW characters again. I kinda wanted to put Sterek into the chaotic married energy square as well, but I felt like no other duo fit better the dynamic I ended up putting them into. And I would like to point out how Scott is always wholesome, except for when he's with Stiles.
Let me know what you think? Also, if you have any templates you'd like me to fill, feel free to send me them. It's real fun doing them.
Just imagine a Fanfic that begins with Theo sitting at the counter of Liam's Ramen store after 15 years and telling him "hey Little Wolf"
Theo and Liam have not seen each other since Theo revealed his feelings toward Liam, he did it with twisted words that did not directly explicit an 'I love you' but were stronger and Liam did not understand them.
For 15 years Liam tried to understand them, to understand what Theo meant, but he could not and meanwhile he began to make a new life, a new love, moving on.
After the battle with the Nogitsune, Liam and Hikari returned to Japan, set up their store, put elbow grease into it.
And one late evening, just as Liam was closing the restaurant, a customer walks in.
Theo stands from the counter, looks at the menu, and when Liam comes in to say they are closed, Theo lowers the menu and smiles and says, "Hey Little Wolf, long time no see."
And Liam seeing his face, seeing Theo, he remembers that confession and finally can understand what Theo was talking about.
I cry just thinking about it!
IF YOU FEEL LIKE WRITING SAD FANFIC LIKE THIS TO MAKE ME AND OTHERS CRY, I WANT TO READ THEMMMMMMMM!
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