Patreon Status Verification

This is something I have never wanted to do and have kept it out of the patreon version of the QOL plugin but recent events have pushed me towards this decision. The next update of the QOL plugin for if it ever breaks or I add something new will require you to authenticate yourself with Patreon to verify that you are or have been a supporter on patreon.

Why am I doing this?

Just shortly after the previous update to fix some issues with other regions I was notified that some individuals have been taking the plugin and reselling it. Since I don't enforce any type of DRM on it this, it was easy to do and I am honestly surprised it took this long before someone got that bright idea. I have since implemented a DRM like system into future versions.

Now it has come to my attention (today) that someone decided they would post it in a group chat of sorts and are encouraging others to use it on the Taiwan server and to that I say enjoy it while you can because if it ever breaks you will not see it fixed and shared so easily ever again. With that if I ever find out who did that... I will be terminating your patreon status within it and you'll never use it again unless you decide to educate yourself on reverse engineering.

I meant to post this a few weeks back but I have been busy with another project, I am posting today because of what I have been told and to basically say shame on you to the person doing this and to go fuck yourself. I always knew that someone would eventually share with a friend and I was fine with that but what I am not fine with is people taking my stuff, reselling it or passing it around encouraging people to use it for free like none of it matters.

I don't want to be updating this, I don't WANT to be supporting this AT ALL. I quit the game 3 years ago, I should of packed my bags and dropped support for EVERYTHING bns related but I didn't because people have supported me through patreon which effectively pays for the server that I use to operate most of multi-tools services. I feel obligated... no TRAPPED to continue working on multi-tool, qol plugin and all plugins in general. I don't ask for much, you pay a small fee and you only have to do it once, ONCE. Do you know how generous that is? Do you understand how many people would force you to be a current subscription holder to have access to stuff?

You want to know the kicker? I don't earn much after I get raped by patreon fees and currency conversions. I make enough to pay for the server and domains used, I have a bit left over as future investment for low points. So for people to take my stuff, resell it or give it away to a bunch of people saying haha use it for free ! ... It just fucking sucks and it pisses me off. Like, what is wrong with you? If you were to replicate everything I've done on your own and do that, fine cool whatever. I'm happy for you but you're not. You're not putting in any effort at all. Seriously fuck off.

Anyways.. Here is a brief summary of what to expect in the future.

Authentication Process

Without giving away too many details for potential reverse engineering attempts to "crack" it...

• You will be prompted upon first launch with newer versions to log in

• Game will close, browser will open patreon and you login

• If verified that you are a current or past subscriber, you get told you're good

• You can relaunch the game and so long as significant hardware changes don't happen you'll never be prompted again but if you do, process repeats.
  

Sound good? No? Oh well, it's this or I just close it all down.
Anyways to the people that are or have supported me and didn't do some stupid shit like this, I thank you. You've effectively supported the operating costs of multi-tool and the time I have to take to fix or add new features to it or any plugin I have ever released. I didn't open this patreon to make a profit, I opened it for those that wish to support me and the work I do and to reduce the money that comes out of my pocket to pay for the costs to run multi-tool and its services. I even provide server resources to people like Lean so that he can make something like YAST and not be burdened with the costs.

EDIT / UPDATE:

Individuals have come forward, apologized and so on. I have to say I did not expect that and I forgive you, I'm not that mad about it, I'm just more mad that I am having to implement such a thing but to be honest I probably should of done it from the start to prevent circumstances like this from happening. I also understand that information about it and how to use patreon are not that known in other regions but yeah... like I said above for anyone new coming here after this post, thank you for giving your support, it ain't much but it's enough for me to keep multi-tool running self-sufficient and all its services and resources I give to others and that's all I really care about.