itch.io

UPDATE: it looks like (after auth and payment confirmation) all that is needed is a 304 redirect, instead of download. Hope that helps. We like Itch.io best.

Any thoughts on this awesome new technology at all?

UPDATE: it looks like (after auth and payment confirmation) all that is needed is a 304 redirect, instead of download. Hope that helps. 

Link included shortly.

Hello everyone,

My team did a deep-dive on Itch.io API and PWA . And it looks like PWA is potentially HUGE for Itch.io.

PWA was recently in progress in Safari iOS and we see "Add to Homescreen" working in latest update.

Itch.io could be 1^st and best in class. Please consider minor API REDIRECT to create new delivery category.

BENEFITS: 

1) Many Itch.io App Icons on User Homescreen.

2) BONUS: PWA gives Itch.io parity with App Stores.

3) PROOF-OF-PURCHASE for HTML5 Apps.

 IDEA:

On purchase - a REDIRECT to Itch.io PWA page (similar to HTML), just add: KEY param for Server Auth, on ok, REDIRECT to PWA URL, and trigger INSTALL prompt on load.  That’s it!

(also user error handling)

DESIRED SEQUENCE (in more detail):

 -CONTEXT: 

 - In Embed > New  “BUY APP” button > Pay > Success window.

 -  In Success Window: “OPEN APP” button > 1) REDIRECT to Itch PWA URL with KEY param.

 -  Server API confirms KEY, against PWA URL, and user_id (proof-of-purchase OR no access by server);

  - Success Auth > serves PWA 200  > Else error redirect 304.

  -  Show PWA install CONFIRM PROMPT  on PWA load.

                > Meaning: after Manifest is validated, as “beforeinstallprompt” fires > immediately call .prompt()        

We see the result of that as pretty powerful for  STREAMING EPISODIC CONTENT (later).

 Above all: Itch.io apps all on the “Homescreen” – one tap away from  “frictionless”

 We want to make Long-Running EPICS and stream ADVENTURE EPISODES, in this way, through PWA and Itch.io.

We think PWA makes Itch.io the best platform.

What do you think? : )

UPDATE: made it to the same place as @Adventuron.

https://netcinematics.itch.io/boxigon-free

1) Will followup options for PWA in iframe (above) and report back.

2) Server-side API implemented in node and like! Happy to open-source template when complete.

3) Still researching OAuth and manifest to get user_id.    

: )

Great hooks!

Your synopsis is excellent. It really drew me in, touched a nerve, and made me think the novel must have the same type of writing skill. 

Very interesting. : )

Happy to share research for PWA "proof of purchase" solutions.

Following what @leafo directed, we reviewed the core issues of iframe security with "Same-Origin Policy" and "Cross-Window communication" And found a few links:

Here is one that describes the context the best:

https://javascript.info/cross-window-communication

Part of the solution may be postMessage:

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Window/postMessage

Another part might be "a PWA enabled wrapper"?

Where the wrapper listens to either: "beforeinstallprompt" or (probably) a postMessage from the parent.

We see similar solution elsewhere with ADs in iFRAMES -  allowing App Install Buttons. And we think that (among some other things) is why big companies adopted PWA uniformly and made big moves quietly.

The event name is confusing: "beforeinstallprompt". It is triggered "after Web App Manifest is validated". So we find that no manifest, means no "beforeinstallprompt event. The handler usually creates the "Add to Homescreen" button and the listener for when it is clicked, also a handler if the user installed or canceled.  The name of the event, refers to a CONFIRM PROMPT that appears, as a standard, to allow user confirm the install of the app. That is why the event is strangely named 'beforeinstallprompt' - even thought it is fired "after manifest". Best doc on it is here: https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/app-install-banners/. Hope it  helps. 

We think a paywall will be really good for Episodic InteractiveFiction Adventure Novels - like Beast! We love it! We installed and will be fans of other products! : )

Happy to test iFrame solutions, and build rapid prototypes. Because we probably all gain from the experience.

Also if it interests you @adventuron, we will try to experiment with PWA paywall, using itch.io serverside options on node:

https://itch.io/docs/api/serverside Which asks server, "has user paid for product?" Yes? Serve PWA. No? Serve Gallery. PWA-Itch.io Server, with episodic push updates? Sounds cool to us! : )

"Run Game Redirect" - to PWA URL is also good. As @adventuron suggests. We would like to know more.

Itch.io might be the first (and best) to offer such a thing. We'd like to use itch.io PWA to deliver reliable and fast episodic content. Perhaps similar to @adventuron -  we need a flexible paywall. One thing is clear, leading voices echo PWA is the future, and the big movers have already moved (awaiting Web App Manifest in iOS and [Push API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Push_API) ) -  and is IN PROGRESS. At time of writing - "proof of purchase" is a missing piece.  Sorry for interrupting. Happy to help. : )

Best regards.

~afalcon

Searching for "PWA Paywall" on Google for  itch.io. Happy to see interest on this topic. 

PWA is developed by Google with some advanced surprises. So much it was adopted by Microsoft, up to including Edge being converted to Chrome. Safari is implementing the same innovations as well on iOS (slowly). And now PWA technology appears near end of incubation. With the Web App Manifest in "Working Draft" phase. After "Service Workers" was released in October 2018, on Safari.  The final  component to watch for full realization is the Web App Manifest:

https://www.w3.org/TR/appmanifest/

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Manifest

https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/web-app-manifest/ 

For  example- here is a PWA being used by the JS13KPWA team challenge: https://mdn.github.io/pwa-examples/js13kpwa/  

It is the most advanced template found developed in collaboration with Mozilla.

A 3D Puzzle to challenge your mind. 

72 variations to solve to achieve BOXiGON Master!

4 status levels: newb, pro, neo, master!

Try it today! https://netcinematics.itch.io/boxigon1

I just got this same issue with an .EXE out of a .ZIP. Has anyone found any new best-practice solution for this in the last year?