Is the app a scam?

[AlexeyPechnikov]

The link provided refers to “You can find the latest Windows/Mac/Linux builds over here,” where the user is asked for payment. After that, a note for Mac users appears: “If you’re getting an error message that the application cannot be opened, you may need to download and play it through the itch.io app instead.” However, this 3rd-party unknown app from unknown developer itch.io requires registration and authorization just to launch!

In total, the offered Digital Logic Sim is not available, but instead asks for money and prompts the installation of different potentially malicious software. Please address this issue, as this is inappropriate repository behavior and may need to be reported to GitHub as a scam.

[AlexeyPechnikov]

Additionally, when the project is opened in Unity, it only shows an empty screen. It’s possible that the repository has been compromised, or it may have always been fake, despite the forks and likes.

[VDeltaGabriel]

I may not be a big contributor or anything however I will address your concerns.
"The link provided refers to “You can find the latest Windows/Mac/Linux builds over here,” where the user is asked for payment. After that, a note for Mac users appears: “If you’re getting an error message that the application cannot be opened, you may need to download and play it through the itch.io app instead.” However, this 3rd-party unknown app from unknown developer itch.io requires registration and authorization just to launch!" - The payment is OPTIONAL just press the link labeled "No thanks, just take me to the downloads" (it is at the top of the popup). Itch.io is a platform for indie developers. It's like Steam but unlike it, developers don't have to pay $100 just to get their games put on the store. Itch.io have their app downloadable on different platforms and it is harmless.

"Additionally, when the project is opened in Unity, it only shows an empty screen. It’s possible that the repository has been compromised, or it may have always been fake, despite the forks and likes." - After you open the project take note you are presented with "Untilted" scene as it is not in the project. You have to open one of the correct scenes by navigating in the Asset Browser.

Next time please spend more time analyzing projects and not just jumping to conclusions. I just downloaded the project and it's working as intented. If you do not have experience with the Unity Engine (the game engine this was made with) please do not assume that the project is a scam.

Best Regards,
Gabriel

[AlexeyPechnikov]

@VDeltaGabriel

Thanks for the reply! At the moment, the links in the repository lead to a lot of ads, request payment, and require installing an unknown third-party application – and, in the end, nothing works. It feels unsafe and untrustworthy.

You have to open one of the correct scenes by navigating in the Asset Browser.

There’s no mention of this in the project README. I’ll check if it works anyway.

If you do not have experience with the Unity Engine...

How is digital logic simulation related to Unity? The GitHub repository README page should include all necessary details. When a repository contains only links to ad-filled sites requesting money, it feels inappropriate.

[VDeltaGabriel]

How is digital logic simulation related to Unity? The GitHub repository README page should include all necessary details. When a repository contains only links to ad-filled sites requesting money, it feels inappropriate.

It is at the very top of the README quote

If you want to make modifications to the program, you should open the source files in the Unity engine.

[VDeltaGabriel]

Also about the "ad-filled" sites. Itch.io is a platform for developers to publish games. It is like Steam but unlike Steam it is aimed at indie developers. I cannot quite see the aspect of "ad-filled" site as I see not much ads (I would say it is almost empty maybe except for some ads of other games from the same platform) also about requesting payment. Sebastian has chose the model of "$0 or donate" It's not his fault if Itch.io has made the modal seem invasive about paying but as I said it also includes a rather well visible text to skip payment

[AlexeyPechnikov]

@VDeltaGabriel

My concern isn’t about paying the developer, but about being asked for payment on a third-party site, only to then receive a note stating that the MacOS version doesn’t work and prompting the user to install additional software. It feels like: “You clicked our banners, sent your money, downloaded our archive—now you’re ready to install our software.” There are trusted platforms like BuyMeACoffee and Patreon, versus this questionable site, which claims to be “like Steam but unlike Steam.” I’m warning other users that they will get nothing but banners and possibly viruses if they follow the link!

[VDeltaGabriel]

I am not sure what are you talking about. Itch.io is a reputable site and very popular amongst fans of Indie games not developed by massive corporations or studios. I am also not sure of the banners and ads. Could you sent a screenshot depicting it? I am on the site with all adblockers disabled yet I cannot find any ads. Also as I have stated, itch.io app is harmless and as far as I remember open source (I just checked. It is you can see its source here)

[AlexeyPechnikov]

You are ignoring the fact that Itch.io deceptively forces users to install its application. It promises the Digital-Logic-Sim app and even requests payment, then reports an “error” and demands that users install its own app. Obviously, platforms like Steam and other reputable ones don’t do anything like this. Even after installing the site’s app, the promised Digital-Logic-Sim is still unavailable, and now you’re required to register and provide your personal data! This looks like classic behavior from shady, virus-filled websites from the 2000s offering shareware software, with the same kind of interface.

I have enabled Safari content blockers, adblock, and a VPN with traffic blocking, yet there are still banners stacked on top of each other (“Get the game” over “Download App”) covering a large portion of the main page. By the way, the “X” to close the top banner is clearly visible in the screenshot. It’s hard to believe that you really “cannot find any ads.”

Why are you encouraging people to trust and visit the third-party Itch.io site, which we've never heard of, and which offers but doesn’t provide the app? The app is being sold despite not working, and even though this is known in advance, you still ask us to trust the site. You don’t see the banners, you don’t see anything wrong despite the fact that the site is useless because the downloaded app doesn’t work, yet you claim the site is trustworthy, etc. Can we get the app by visiting Itch.io? No, but we lose time, money, and potentially our security by downloading a non-working app archive, along with the Itch.io app, and compromising our privacy through registration. It couldn’t be worse!

The repository README should include the app building instructions, rather than linking to an unknown page without any proof of ownership or management. According to GitHub’s guidelines, this falls under the rule “How users can get started with the project”: https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/customizing-your-repository/about-readmes

[VDeltaGabriel]

First of all, it is not itch promoting their app. Sebastian himself has made this note meaning he must have experienced similar issues and notice using itch's app works. Seconds of all, those banners are absolutely normal. Steam has the same huge banner plastered on the front page, I will also remind you that to use steam you have to install their app and create an account so to use steam you are forced to give information and install their app. Sebastian is not to blame for how the modal is made. He just set an option that allows people to drop a donation while downloading the game. Itch io app and Sebastian's Digital Logic Sim are free they don't force you to pay. Yes the modal might imply you have to pay but if you read carefully you will realize you don't have to. Itch io is working similarly to Steam but instead of forcing you to create an account, giving your information and downloading their app you can just download the app for free, without an account and if it doesn't work you can try the fix from Sebastian as described here:

But you may as well take a look yourself and try to fix it. About the building instructions... the project assumes you are familiar with the Unity Engine as specified at the beginning. As building on unity is easy, also... It is not a crime to search for some solutions online. If you have an open source project it won't help you with every single thing in the building process. Note some projects don't provide Windows building instructions and what? If they do not work on Windows then how would they know how to compile it? Unity provides an easy GUI based building process. You can search for it as its very easy but if you insist here you have building instructions since I am not a contributor and thus can't change the README:

1. Download Unity 2021.3.12f1
2. Clone the project and open it in unity
3. Go to File -> Build Settings
   
4. Select the platform you want to build for (selecting Windows as it's my machine)
   
5. Press the "Build" button, a explorer window should show up asking you to point to the folder where it should place the compiled project.
6. Wait for it to compile. After the build is finished it should open the window containing the built project.
7. Run it

[VDeltaGabriel]

also about the banners... Steam just plasters me with massive banners right at the very start

[AlexeyPechnikov]

First of all, it is not itch promoting their app. Sebastian himself has made this note...

Sorry, we’re unfamiliar with the site and whether it’s related to the repository author at all. The site is clearly misleading and does not provide the promised application as stated. I’ve explained everything in detail above. But for some reason you keep sending users to this useless and potentially harmful site over and over again.

Itch io is working similarly to Steam but instead of forcing you to create an account, giving your information and downloading their app you can just download the app for free, without an account...

Obviously, this is a false statement. I can’t do it, and no one can download the app for me from that site. Why do you keep repeating such untruths?

But you may as well take a look yourself and try to fix it.

This doesn’t make sense. How could I fix files uploaded by someone else on the site?

Note some projects don't provide Windows building instructions and what?

Yes, some projects like icon packs don’t require building instructions for Windows because they don’t need them at all and can be viewed directly in the GitHub web interface. No doubt, if you adapt this project to work on GitHub Pages, you could also omit the building instructions.

Seconds of all, those banners are absolutely normal.

Ah, so you can see them now :) By the way, Steam doesn’t use overlapping banners where one prompts you to download the app and another appears on top of it. Or maybe you don’t see the difference, just like you didn’t see the banners before?

the project assumes you are familiar with the Unity Engine as specified at the beginning

What are you talking about? There’s no mention of this in the README. I’ve attached a screenshot of the main page — please let us know what specific part leads you to this conclusion.

You can search for it as its very easy but if you insist here you have building instructions...

But these solutions do not work.

Download Unity 2021.3.12f1

FYI, I’m in the year 2024, greetings from the future! :)

You have to open one of the correct scenes by navigating in the Asset Browser.

What exactly do you mean by a “correct” scene? How does the “correct” scene differ from the others?

It seems the UI goes live once I opened the “menu” in assets in the latest version of Unity. Why couldn’t you just be technically accurate instead of using so many words for unrelated instructions?

Thanks anyway, I hope it’s running now. Perhaps it would be helpful to inform the author that the link on the main page only frustrates users, as the site shows banners, asks for credit card information, requests users to download applications, and ultimately provides nothing in return. Maybe the app itself is fine, and I hope to try it, but the distribution method is disappointing and potentially harmful for users. And of course, installation instructions are a must if you’re not providing a ready-to-use web app.

[VDeltaGabriel]

...

FYI, I’m in the year 2024, greetings from the future! :)

Great! The project was made on the version 2021.3.12f1. You want to use newer one? Go on but Sebastian has not been updating this project so you are on your own when it comes to upgrading the project.

What are you talking about? There’s no mention of this in the README. I’ve attached a screenshot of the main page — please let us know what specific part leads you to this conclusion.

You can find the latest build on itch (the site I still don't understand how you find more malicious than Steam...)
If you want to make modifications to the program you have to open it in Unity engine. That means you have to know the engine to edit the game right? If I make a project let's say in C++ do I have to provide a beginner's tutorial to C++ as well?

Obviously, this is a false statement. I can’t do it, and no one can download the app for me from that site. Why do you keep repeating such untruths?

No I have no idea what are you talking about. Here's a video of me opening the link from private window meaning NO cookies, nor accounts are saved so it's a "fresh" experience.

2024-10-04.20-14-55.mp4

Look! I downloaded the game without logging in into any account nor installing the Itch.io app.
Also do you have any better distribution platform where the creator (Sebastian) could create a site that describes the game with screenshots and provides downloads? One that doesn't require you to pay like Steam because I would like to tell you that Sebastian doesn't actively work on it (afaik). He created it for his series explaining how computers work and putting it up on Itch is just a way of allowing for easy distribution while giving people some information on it.