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Itch.io Notice 1. There is something dangerous on supporting works in itch.io

A topic by whiteblack created Nov 07, 2017 Views: 11,854 Replies: 2
Viewing posts 1 to 2
(2 edits)

I have to say itch.io is the best platform for any individual developer, but it is not safe for gamer, supporter or buyer for some condition.

Yes, when we supported the works, that means we support the developer and his/her works. But itch.io doesn't like Steam or any huge commercial game platform have strict and secure rule for preventing people who want to put some pirated or unauthorized stuffs here.

There are already many examples in tich.io before, Stardew Valley, Oneshot or other popular indie games are illegally uploaded by some gamer who bought the Drm-free version game in GOG and sold them here, even some of them are sold in the Drm version which means the games can't be played without the owner account.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/6muj1z/itchio_seems_to_be_selling_repack...

I don't have screenshots of these pages but I can remember they lasted not too long, 3-4 days after I reported but they have been already supported for many dollars (you can see the contributions with the goal system)

https://chep-games.itch.io/stardew-valley (already removed)

What I want to say for the most important part for anyone who want to buy or support the games on itch.io,  in the new payment rule for using Paypal to pay, the seller account which lasted 3 months can sell something that buyer can't ask refund from itch.io support but the seller. So you could have chances to get refund, but it is not 100% if the money just directly go to the seller ( I think illegal seller would indeed choose get the money through Paypal directly, not collected by itch.io and get later) But if you trust this developer so well, it is good to use credit card, there is some transaction fee to cost developer, and paying directly by credit card always can get refund if trouble comes.

https://itch.io/docs/creators/payments#payment-models/collected-by-itchio-and-pa...

Here is another example for my personal experience, I bought a bundle for some rare old games I never heard in 45 days ago, but after all I noticed that it could be illegal by someone who bought it for long time and shot a bad photo to sell these games.

https://itch.io/s/8182/autumn-2017-oldschool-arcade-bundle 

After I talked to itch.io manager, he attached the seller's email that we can have the discussion, I no longer have any bad or good news, but the most striking thing is the store still keep alive, anyone could buy these sceptical things and get in danger with no refunds.

https://tsopic.itch.io/

As I saw it is still online and can't be double-checked, it would be not safe for every supporter on itch.io who bought or played anything unauthorized games, even it could be dangerous to include virus or blackmail stuffs, we don't know. Honestly this is old issue, but I think itch.io should take more serious way to consider for this kind of issue, I understand itch.io is a small team, but it doesn't make sense for this reason that cause you do nothing and wait the trouble coming again. I think anyone who upload anything should be examined first by volunteer or the simple online virus detector or after reporting, please close down the page soon to check details. It doesn't need to be so hurried to get donation or support, if developers already take so much hard time on works, why we care to wait few days or a week to check right? :)


Btw, the post writing has bug, I pasted some words and links and it messed around with my finished sentence. :(

Admin (2 edits)

Hello, there's some misinformation in this topic. I hope I can clarify.

  • We can help you get a refund for any transaction done on itch.io, and we have a generous refund policy. Contact support if you need to request a refund and we'd be glad to help
  • Some purchases done with a legacy PayPal API are not directly refundable by us, the developer needs to initiate the refund, or you'll need to open a dispute. EDIT 2020: We've long since moved away from this legacy API, we can help process a refund for any purchase on our system, reach out to support with your payment details and we'll help you out.
  • We take piracy very seriously. Please report content that you think is problematic. We actively review reports and suspend any accounts that are violating our terms of service. We do not, however, suspend accounts if there is not substantial evidence.
  • Regarding the seller https://tsopic.itch.io/, there's little information about these games. We don't have enough information to believe that the person illegally distributing the games. If you can point us to any information about the games or developer of them we can investigate more.
(3 edits)

OK, seems refund policy change after last time I was declined by the support. So the potential danger would be the seller account which passed 3 months can sell something that buyer can't ask refund from itch.io support but the seller.

For the second issue, there are so many reasons that the seller https://tsopic.itch.io/  could have no prove to sell these games.

1. As the seller mention, these games are from Finnish game brand PocketPlayCard Game, and I detected that the company is no longer working, the official website is shut down, and you can check the other information of this company in the E3 2001 Guide book.

https://imgur.com/a/rNn5M

https://ia801900.us.archive.org/20/items/E32001Guide/E32001Guide.pdf

2. the seller only uploaded some casual photos to sell them that it looks like the seller didn't have official product print.

3. the seller used the masked email but not their official email (@plastcenter.fi) which makes me sceptical for what kind of reason the seller didn't want to be found.

4.  the seller uploaded them and made a bundle for sale, then just disappeared.

All of these itch.io can't give a explanation too, so why don't itch.io close down the page for clarification. You don't have enough information to believe that the person illegally distributing the games but you also don't have enough information to believe that the person can be legally distributing the games. If there is any misunderstanding, I believe when the seller notice the store page is closed, he/she would come up right away to explain for necessary.

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