![Heroes Heroes](https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steam/apps/629910/ss_db8632587370e6a578df50d6cce4bdb709b1cc83.1920x1080.jpg?t=1545345053)
Downloadable executable Clicker Heroes 2 for Windows and/or Mac (when it becomes available) All future updates to the game. An optional Steam key. $20 worth of Clicker Heroes 1 rubies (right now!) (for Browser/PC/mobile only) A special pre-order character skin. Beta access on July 16, 2018.
Clicker Heroes 2 Keys & Distribution
Hey everyone! I'm here to talk about how we are going to distribute Clicker Heroes 2.
On Discord a while back, I said this.
However, online features (voting, cloud saving, leaderboards, etc.) that we want to add later will make a lot more sense and will be easier for us to implement if we can assume everyone's game has a valid key.
![Clicker Heroes 2 Free Game Key Clicker Heroes 2 Free Game Key](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EL9CO0aubGM/maxresdefault.jpg)
To accomplish this while keeping as many of the benefits of drm-free software as we can, here is how we're planning to launch the game:
The game will be available on our website with a public download link. Anyone can download the game, whether or not they have a key.
There will be a one-time pop-up in the game that allows you to enter your CH2 code. It checks with our servers to see if it's valid.
There will be no limit to the number of times you can install the game with your key. However, if we find any keys that are shared publicly online, we will disable those keys.
Once you enter your CH2 code (one time) you will be able to copy the game to any other machine you like, as long as you move your save data with the game as well. If you don't, you'll have to enter your CH2 code to install the game again. There won't be any limit to the number of times you can install it, or the number of machines you can play on, but if you share the code with friends, it will interfere with online features that we develop later.
This only applies to the downloaded version of the game that will be available from our website. The Steam version will work like other games on Steam, and you don't have to enter a key to play because it's done automatically through the Steam API.
Can you hear the people click? Clicking the song of angry men? The Clicker Heroes devs couldn’t, but they’re nonetheless changing their business model so that the studio can have a “cleaner conscience”. Clicker Heroes 2, the sequel to the idle game that Graham describes as “Diablo’s metagame with the participative act of exploration and combat removed”, will have an upfront cost of $29.99 rather than in-game purchases.
The a blog post by developers Playsaurus argues that “Games are inherently addictive,” and details the ethical and game design reasons behind the shift. Despite designing the first game so that you never had to spend rubies, a currency that could mostly only be attained with real money, the devs still found that some people spent thousands of dollars on the game. While they note that this is obviously ok if those people happen to be rich, they suspect that probably wasn’t true in most cases. While Playsaurus say that they’re happy to offer refunds, they’re aware that those most in need of one might not be prepared to ask.
We really don’t like making money off players who are in denial of their addiction. And that’s what a large part of free-to-play gaming is all about. Everyone in the industry seems to rationalize it by shifting the blame, assuming way too much cognizance on the part of their victims. People can make their own decisions, right? But it just doesn’t sit well with me. Despite very few of our players having complained, it felt wrong when we started doing it and it still feels wrong now.
While I think it should be acknowledged that not all free-to-play games are exploitative, recognising the reduced autonomy that can be inherent to addiction is certainly praiseworthy. Actively stepping away from it is even more commendable, especially when the new business model should make for a better game. I’m all too familiar with the “ugly cloud” that hovers over games in microtransaction form – while I hardly ever indulge, I still get the nagging feeling that I could be having a better time if I spent some more money. That said, I’m not sure Clicker Heroes (which I haven’t tried) would be one of them. As Graham notes:
I can understand why someone would become engrossed in Clicker Heroes, even if I (hope I) won’t allow myself the same. I can understand why someone might spend hours maximising a numbers game, even if it’s far too dry for me. I cannot understand why you’d spend money to shortcut the only system Clicker Heroes has – unless the game’s dopamine drip has bypassed your common sense.
Playsaurus have confirmed that they won’t be changing anything about the free-to-play model of the first game, though they do reiterate that their “unlimited refund policy still stands”.