By Terry
VVVVVV got leaked on 4chan 🙁 I’m really, really shaken up about it and I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do. Nothing, I guess. There’s nothing I can do. I’m pretty upset.
I’m going to try to finally get the game out for the end of the week. With moving and everything I’m a bit behind schedule…
sorry, I don’t know what else to say right now…
[edit] I’m changing the donation conditions – beta access is no longer available, and the patron list is final. If you still wanna preorder though, that’s fine. I’m working as fast as I can to get this out.
I am sorry to say that I was one of the people playing it from the link on 4chan (I hadn’t heard of it before seeing the thread), and from what I played of it, it seemed brilliant. I shall be purchasing it when it is finished, so this leak has gotten you at least one extra customer 🙂
As one of the 4channers that found the leaked game, I just want to say I love the game, as did all of us. The game has great style and humor, the gameplay is challenging, and the gigantic map is delightful to explore. The only gripe I heard was that any attempt to do fine movement with the arrow keys would, more often than not, end in at least one death.
Beyond that, the game was very solid and very fun. A lot of us hadn’t heard this was in production, but we are now very excited to hear any developments on it…except for the part where we have to pay for it. I may actually have to take off my eye patch and peg leg for a bit and buy this; the game was kicking my ass and I want more! And if I may speak for the video games board on 4chan, you have our full support and we can’t wait to see how this game turns out and wish you the best of luck with your future projects.
As an anonymous (and spanish language native) who just saw this on 4chan and couldn’t at least try it to know what the fuzz is all about, all i have to say is: do not get discouraged. It attracted attention, and to have a couple of people come here and congratulate you, from a site that usually gives crap to others, it’s quite an accomplishement. I would love to support you, and i will… as soon as i get what is the fuzz all about. I hope you find another way for us, the people who want to support you, try your work. Thanks.
It’s great that you guys intend to buy the game, it really is. But it doesn’t make the leak “okay” in any way. This isn’t the marketing strategy that Terry, the only guy who should be making this decision, wanted to use. And he definitely didn’t want the BETA to be public. Last I heard he was planning on releasing a free demo with the final version.
As a side note, I really hate the attitude “so-and-so didn’t protect well enough against hackers, therefore it’s their own fault they got hacked.” If you draw basically any analogy from that, it’s very obvious how stupid it is. This requires a moral system based on “if you can get away with it, it’s okay, regardless of who you hurt or what people want.” Ugh. I realize this is the internet, but I know for a fact that basic respect is still very possible.
“I may actually have to take off my eye patch and peg leg for a bit and buy this”
There is a huge difference between “may buy this” and “did buy this”.
As an anon that didn’t know this got leaked, I say to the rest of you who think this is OK to go fuck yourselves or pay up immediately.
Keep positive. Yes, some folks stole your game, but you already weren’t making money off of them, and maybe it will encourage some of them to either buy it or recommend it to their friends who will buy it. I know you must be feeling offended at the moment, but you haven’t really lost anything other than some people getting an unfinished build for free.
“[edit] I’m changing the donation conditions – beta access is no longer available, and the patron list is final. If you still wanna preorder though, that’s fine. I’m working as fast as I can to get this out.”
Ok, i’m game. How do i preorder? Or should i donate and that’s it?
Never mind. Found out. I’ve already gave my donation. So, yes, i’m supporting a guy whose game i’ve not tested out of pure faith, if you wish. I truly believe he deserves the praise he got from those few people that tried the game and obviously he must continue working, and if my humble donation helps, i hope we see more from him in the future. Thanks for your effort.
A day that will live in infamy. . .
@AFMG You know you could have just tried some of Terry’s wonderful earlier games like Don’t Look Back in case you didn’t want to buy a game “out of pure faith”.
Personally I didn’t preorder because I didn’t want to play an unfinished version. I look forward to the full release and will gladly hand you money then Terry :)!
Sorry to hear the game got leaked bro, but try not to worry too much about it. /v/ is usually well-meaning when it comes to this kind of stuff, not as if that’s an excuse or anything. But if you get such a usually cynical community excited about your game it’s a mark that you’ve done well.
You can certainly count on a sale from me. Loved Don’t Look Back.
I still don’t understand what this is?
Okay, I found a gameplay video a couple pages back. Looks (and sounds) awesome. Will be looking for it on Steam.
Bookmarked in any event.
@Christoffer Actually i just tried Don’t Look Back and i’m on my way to Alice and i can honestly said he deserves every penny he can get. He’s very talented and imaginative. Hope to see the game soon. Keep up the amazing work!
Don’t worry Terry, no need to be upset. I know that it was not planned by you, but you (kind of) got lots of new attention and from what people write in the comments here it seems that many more people got exposed to VVVVVV, so there is at least this positive aspect to the whole shitty situation… Anyway don’t worry, you have support of tons of people! =)
To all guys unsure about paying for an unfinished game:
I like to think of the preorder as a donation, not as a payment for a game. It’s just like saying ‘thanks’ to Terry for his previous games.
You’re getting a lot of publicity out of this. What I would do if I were you is open up the beta access to donaters. As there are plenty of people who want to try your game out.
There’s no point in closing something that’s already leaked, let the donaters get a taste of your great game.
Hi there Terry! First of all, I’m deeply sorry to tell you that I, too, stumbled upon your game on 4chan. Curious as I am, I couldn’t hold myself but to see what’s it all about. The game looked quite interesting, but not as near until I started playing it. I owned a ZX Spectrum together with Jet Set Willy and after crossing through various other platforms such as Playstations, XBoxes and such, I never quite felt so deeply involved in a game such as JSW was. After spending a couple of minutes playing your game, I was incredibly overwhelmed with that strange and odd feeling like I’m playing the most fun game in my life, since the one mentioned before. But all that was nothing after I realised the game was HUGE. And I mean really HUGE. I didn’t made it to the end, to be frank, but those two hours I spent playing it, it wasn’t comparable with anything. The mechanics, the music, the pixels, it was the most awesome “Back to the future” feeling I ever experienced while in front of the screen. I’ll be sure to donate for the game, and also for being an awesome person to make a game like this.
Oh, and I do apologize for accessing the game in unauthorized ways, and a humble sorry. Good luck with the final polishing!
Regards.
Hi guys – I’m glad you enjoyed the game 🙂 I admit I’m probably feeling a bit more emotional than rational just right now… Here’s hoping things still turn out for the best!
I’m heading back to Dublin tomorrow to work in the library for a few days; I always get way more work done there. I’m really hoping that this will finally be launched really, really soon.
Don’t let this deter you Terry, these things happen with a bunch of commercial titles and the games still thrive at release. Hope you get through that final stretch and get that long-deserved break! If you can drop me an email when its released I’ll update the review to include the demo and write a little blurb on how the final version compares to the beta.
I’m sorry to hear this happened, I just wanted to offer my support and condolences.
A very similar thing happened to us early on with Gang Garrison, and it was quite traumatic and unnerving at first, but aside from a complete disregard for rules or protocal, 4channers will very easily develop into an incredibly devoted fanbase.
I am appalled at /v/’s lack of respect towards indie developers, but you can’t possibly let them slow you down or prevent you from continuing to press forward with your game.
Times may be tough at the moment, but what doesn’t kill you will certainly make you stronger, and the support of 4chan can be a powerful thing (with both positive and negative effects). I hope that this blows over quickly and doesn’t deter you from future development.
Best of luck!
Hello Terry,
I am yet another of the 4chan users who stumbled upon the game on /v/ today. I am sincerely amazed by your capacity and your ideas. I must admit I did not know about your project before the leak either, but now, after trying it, you can count on my donation for sure once the game is finished.
Everybody on the thread praised the game as well, so I invite you to consider that, out from that ‘evil’ action, there is always something good.
We’ve all seen how it has affected you and, obviously, the least thing we want is to get you down. On the contrary, we appreciate the fact that this unfortunate event has put you ‘on the map’ for many potential customers and future followers.
You have our wholeheartedly support and (I hope) the donations of many ‘extra testers’ who have been left wanting for more 🙂
We really hope to hear and see more from you soon.
Best.
Sorry to hear that’s happened dude, but don’t let it get you down, and don’t let it force you to release any sooner than you’re comfortable with. Better to have a good solid game than one rushed at the last minute.
Hopefully some positive will come of it all. Either way, it’s a little bit of publicity for you, which can’t be all bad.
Can’t wait for the release. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled.
Just try to look on the bright side; you’ve probably gotten tons of more people interested/aware now. If you didn’t expect this to happen, maybe that means you’ve underestimated your game? 🙂
I preordered a while ago and I’m really looking forward to VVVVVV. Good luck with everything.
All I have to say is stop letting it get to you. It’s bad enough as is, don’t cause anymore drama and turn this into some “epic trolling moment” of the internet and have articles on sites like ED written about you and even non trolling sites discussing how you failed miserbly to handle the situation.
Just so you know, there are people trying to get the .swf from the beta to work independently.
Personally, I hope they succeed. The fact that you would be “really shaken up” about a leak is downright hilarious. I didn’t think the game was all that fantastic, really–yet another flash platformer. Just didn’t appeal to me. I won’t partake of the people reverse engineering or whatever the .swf, but… well. Enjoy taking people’s curiousity personally. It’ll really get you far in life.
How would you feel if you spent many many hours on something and it was turned around and stolen behind your back? Would you not feel shaken up?
Funny how you say “another flash platformer” when I have yet to experience one like this.
I help build sets for local theaters for free. I also helped translate a play from German and adapt it to a modern setting for free.
I’m fine with my work just being appreciated. I refuse compensation for it on a regular basis.
Not everyone has the luxury to do that though.
As someone who has beta tested games in the past, and knows a large amount about the flash game industry, this is your own fault. Any pay for software, including most if not all adobe software is cracked on a regular basis. Flash is a pretty easy thing to break into and get around and doesn’t really provide much security at all. You could buy encryption software, but that would cost you a very large amount of money, and judging from what you have, you should of just found a sponsor. The only people who have been successful with paid content would be the people who bought fantastic contraption. They really turned it into something secure for them to make money with free versions to make people WANT to buy the paid version.
You should read through these.
https://lostgarden.com/labels/Flash Love Letter.html
https://lostgarden.com/2009/08/flash-love-letter-2009-part-2.html
These don’t really address security issues though, which is a big problem in all software. Only someone who specializes in such things would be able to truely tell you how to safeguard your flashes.
Generally you need to have webspace, have user accounts, tie user accounts to content, have paid content tied to only posting it to the webspace, etc.
The only person with anything like this in development would be, psuedolonewolf, who while i don’t get along with he had some great ideas. And he never sold mardek as an independant game, though at this point with that kind of reputation, he most likely could, if he released free stuff in conjunction to get a flow of people checking his site out. You really have to consider all these things when you make a game, it is in no way simple when you go beyond the current standards.
https://lostgarden.com/2009/07/flash-love-letter-2009-part-1.html
Sorry about that first link, replace with this. It is 4am here.
I laughed, I cried.
I screamed, I raged.
I swore, I cursed.
I smiled, I frowned.
And amongst it all, I had a blast.
You have my full support, and a grip on my wallet.
I await the full version patiently.
I liked this the first time when armor games called it Shift.
“I liked this the first time when armor games called it Shift.”
It’s not even remotely the same gameplay mechanic, and you know it. Don’t be an ass.
@JT the Ghost To say it’s his own fault is just preposterous in so many ways…
@Professor Zoom Are you serious? Have you ever toiled away at anything for a prolonged period of time just to have it stolen in some manner? Because this is Terrys first try at charging money for a game. A game which he’s worked on for a long time. He’s previously released several games free of charge so you can’t really accuse him of being cheap just because he won’t do all of his work for free. Do you do all of your work for free? Or just your hobbies?
Man, that sucks. I mean, yeah, they liked it, but it’s an excellent game – you don’t get a prize for liking it.
“OMF NOMF NOMF N- oh, was this cake yours? Don’t worry, it’s really good, I’m enjoying it!”
“Just so you know, there are people trying to get the .swf from the beta to work independently.” – Professor Zoom.
I’ve already done this myself, it isn’t very hard.
However I’ll never be releasing this, as this guy deserves support for this game. It is unfortunate it got leaked, and it is unfortunate that flash is so simple to crack.
I hope anyone with the knowledge to crack this will be smart enough to come to the same conclusion.
@Prof Zoom
“I’m fine with my work just being appreciated. I refuse compensation for it on a regular basis.”
Ahh, well I guess because you think that way everyone should right? Perhaps Ferrari should stop being so stingy and just give me a Scaglietti and be happy that someone appreciates their work? Right?
Or perhaps that building firm I saw that were working on a nice new house. I liked it so logically they should just give it to me for free and be happy with that. Or maybe I’ll just kick the door in, move my stuff in, and tell the guys that it’s their fault for not using a door I couldn’t kick down. Done any work in your home lately? If I appreciate it will you move out and give me your house?
——————————-
@ JT The Ghost
“this is your own fault”
When someone smashes a window in your house while your out of town and makes off with all your stuff.. don’t get upset. It’s your fault for being out of town.
——————————-
I never cease to be amazed at the mental gymnastics people will do to justify being a dick.
Without this leak, I would’nt have read about your project.
Will definately keep track this on my site, consider me as a donator, I will tag it with “spamvault.de”
[…] distractionware » Final Push. Categories: Game Design, Gaming, Rant Tags: Piracy, scum, Terry Cavanagh, Theft, VVVVVV Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback […]
It’s incredible the amount of attention that the situation is getting. OK, so the game got leaked. It’s a fact. It’s done. But it is no use crying over spillt milk.
So, let’s all TRY to be positive. For Terry’s sake, at least. To begin with, we know that it is sensible to think that this is absolutely NOT Terry’s fault. So quit all this ‘you should have encrypted your flash, bla bla bla’.
The game has received media attention from a beta leaking, which has caused good feedback and enthusiasm, which will possibly entail further sales and donations once the final product is finished.
So, let’s all leave the drama apart and focus on the development of his project and wish him the best success (I already donated!).
Beta1’s been cracked and it’s posted on 4chan.
@Christoffer No, I don’t do everything for free. Just hobbies. You know, like this guy does flash. See, the thing about small-time operations like this: If you just ask for donations and offer nothing in return, you’ll probably actually get donations regardless if your work is any good. I doubt the guy actually needed to offer anything but his thanks for money. Just explain, “Hey, I want to submit games X and Y to contest, that is pricey, will you help me?” and suddenly, money. For your hobby. No need to actually charge for anything.
@Eckyman Don’t stretch my point out to an absurd conclusion. I was obviously talking about hobbies. Troll better, not harder.
Hey Terry, I’m sorry the game got leaked! Though I really want to try the game, and don’t have the money immediately to preorder, rest assured that at least this random person in the sea of the internet is going to buy the game rather than steal it, regardless of the delay to playing what looks like another incredible game.
This is not a hobby, but a full-time job. He is trying to make a living and get a tiny place into the market with his effort, and this is admirable because he really has talent.
Also, the result really deserves a donation.
@Professor Zoom
I just want you to read this post:
https://distractionware.com/blog/?p=1002
Terry is not someone who is just trying to squeeze some extra cash out of a hobby of his. He doesn’t want to sell the game, he has to if he wants to continue to pursue game development in the way he has been doing. Make sure you understand the situation before you start making statements about what he should be doing, and how he should be feeling about this leak.
Sorry to hear of the leak- hope the extra attention brings more reward after all. I know how hard you have worked on this, keep it up, you are almost there.
This is the best thing that could of happened to your game in my opinion. You just got major exposure to a huge community, several of which that are willing to pay for a final release, and only at the cost of a beta. Small price if you ask me.
I played the game, Im ashamed of myself. Where can I make a donation?
ok, I donated 10 bucks. Keep up the good shit bro
@Steve I read that. My interpretation of events is what I go off of. If my interpretation is different than your interpretation, then argument is pointless.