Important Update, please read.

Hello there! How are you all doing today?

I have some very... Upsetting news about Just Friends as a project.

I've been thinking about this for years, literally, and for the longest time I decided it wasn't worth touching it, after all, if you guys are here supporting me, it doesn't matter. But I always kept thinking of a way to circumvent this issue.

It seems, Just Friends is being leaked. Like, Leaked, leaked.  All the posts, images, alphas, everything just for anyone who can find, to check on it.

I find that extremely disrespectful to all of you who are monthly here, supporting me, giving me a bit of your money, emptying your wallets so this project can keep going, and the rewards that exist to compensate you guys are being leaked to people who aren't supporting the project.

The first thing I did to try to prevent this issue was to release a Public build every six months. The public version is not the most updated but it's the best official way to get your hands into this game without hurting the project. It also destroys the rhetoric the people who leak the projects use, which is "We're posting this here so you can see the creator's work and then support him!" because there's an official, free way to get your hands in the project either way, there's no need to be leaking the most recent content, especially since that content is my way of saying thank you, to every single one of you here.

So, since releasing my game on a free website for anyone to grab is not enough, I decided to take a new apphroach.

Every month, I'll zip and protect the files with a random password. This password will be personally delivered to each patron of the corresponding tier, so they can check and access the files on their personal devices.

This is how it'll work:

• Tier 1 Patrons only have one reward, which is having their name permanently in the credits of the game, staying at tier 1 is also a good way to keep supporting the game if you're low on cash but still want to support me, so thank you, if you're a tier 1 patron reading this. Thank you for not giving up Just Friends yet!
• Tier 2 + Patrons will receive the passwords for the game.zip files monthly, they will also get the password for any artwork related to them, usually, Tier 2 patrons can see any sketch files if they're available, very rarely I upload some completed artwork in a smaller size for them too.
• Tier 3 + Patrons will get the password for every single completed artwork content they can get.
• Tier 4 Patrons already have access to a private Telegram group, where they can essentially see every single artwork already uploaded on Patreon and even some never released artwork concepts for the game. The group is protected, so to get the files for themselves, they need to come here and download the zip files.

Each month I will change the password while monitoring the leaked content (because yes, I've been checking content leaking, what leaks, and every month that makes it hard for me to keep working on the project). So check your personal messages for every upload.

Yes, this is more work for me, it's a new step I have to take,  but it's what I'll be doing from now on.

Another thing I want to warn you guys is that after November, I'll be deleting every single game.zip file here without a password. About the artworks, I'm still deciding if I publish them with a one-of-a-kind password or if I make different passwords per post, because new patrons may want to access the old file's passwords. So I'll see what I do about that once we get to it.

So, this next build will be locked by a password each of you Tier 2+ patrons will receive via a private DM. The password will be random for each release. As I said, for artwork, I'll see what I can do. I will save a list of the passwords in case anyone for any reason wants to download an older version of the game, so you guys can always ask via DM. I may take a few days to answer given the fact I'm not always here (working on the game most of the time).  But I will fetch the password of the older version if necessary to deliver to you if you ask.

Now, yes this is a lot of work. A lot lot. And I hate it.

But frankly, there's an official way to get the open builds, and the closed ones are only for the people who actually pay for the game.  I know this won't stop people from leaking my project HOWEVER, I did notice that this prevents people who go to certain places, where the projet leaks from getting the new stuff from now on, because yes, it works.

Thank you all for your time and understanding. I'll be releasing another closed build soon this month. I'll also be releasing the next character's portraits for Tier 3 patrons after that, and with it, a poll for Tier 3+ patrons to vote. With a new option on it! :D You will be able to see what option is on the Roadmap inside the game!

Anyway, for now, this is it. Thank you all for your time, and for understanding this situation. And don't worry, you will get the password monthly via DM here, so you don't need to go fetching them passwords in the post itself!

See you all soon.

UPDATE: I AM working (but slowly) on a way to make the game demand a log in for you to enter the title screen. That login being your Patreon Login and Password, the game would then verify if you're a current Tier 2+ patron. However, this takes times, and demands a good understanding of how the PATREON API works. So yeah, for now, we'll work with the password-protected files each month! :D