Yeah, I’ve already read this, that why I also wrote this question here
So I guess Playdate game would only be sideloadable games?
I do not understand the question.
You asked if this is frowned upon and you claimed to have read the docs and did not find it.
Yes, it is frowned upon. It is even completely pointless. Itch is not a homepage service to host a game's advertisement page, but not the game files.
There is no app store facility on Itch. You can't install games on a device by a store app. Yes, there is an Itch app, but that is just for desktop computers and basically is just a custom browser. I am not aware of any games that need the Itch app. Maybe some home brew drm or whatever. So in terms of sideloading, all games on Itch are sideloaded. And there are only some external stores that are supported with an "official" link in the meta data. Unsupported external links just have to select "other".
Playdate games are here. Just look how they do it. It's 1500 games.
Sideloading is not the main way to have games on playdate. It is popular because it’s simple and do not rely on playdate approval, but to have access to some API, a game must be submitted to the playdate catalog, so there’s pros and cons for each method.
I didn’t see an option for “other” link in a project page, also I already know itch.io have playdate games, most of them are offline.
I did some research before hand, that why I though asking for help would’ve been a good idea.
Thank you for the time you took to reply.
I don't quite understand your question either, since Redoinhunter has already answered it, but I'll try to clarify what the documentation says:
Please try not to upload just Steam keys, or put a link to your Steam store page without uploading any files. Someone buying a game on itch.io wants to be able to access it on itch.io through our website and app. If possible, your uploads should be DRM-free, but it isn't a requirement.
You can create a page on Itch that only has a link to the playdate page. Yes, the rules do NOT prohibit it (personally, I think it should be prohibited, but the rules don't explicitly prohibit it, only advise against it), but it's very likely that your page will NOT be indexed, since it doesn't offer any games within Itch.
Links to other platforms are intended to be a complement and NOT the main (and only) way to get the game.
For example, you can offer a game with achievements on Steam and a version without achievements on Itch. You create the page on Itch, upload the version without achievements to Itch, and include the Steam link in case someone wants to buy the version with achievements. The important thing is that you offer an option for people who want to buy and play directly from Itch without relying on another store.
Conversely, if your game doesn't offer this option and forces users to use another store, then you're not offering anything of value to Itch users. You'd only be using Itch to promote your game, and although the rules not prohibit it, it's likely that your page won't be indexed.
I understand that having a page for a game not prodiving files for said game on it would not be ideal. I’m trying to know how my game would fit with what’s stated in the documentation. My game main point is to have a leaderboard, which can be granted to dev if they submit their game to the playdate catalog. I’m not sure there would any point for my game to be offline.
So providing it on itch.io as a sideloadable game seems moot. Would a downloadable demo be still considered as only promoting the full online game?
Again, if I’m asking these questions, it’s because I did read the doc, look the playdate games and didn’t see a game that would match my case.
Thank you for you answer and the example you gave
So providing it on itch.io as a sideloadable game seems moot. Would a downloadable demo be still considered as only promoting the full online game?
I've seen several projects that are precisely "demos" that have a link to Steam to buy the full game.
Personally, I don't like them, but from what I understand, they don't violate any rules and have been indexed by Itch, so I don't think there would be a problem on that front.