About "Bring Your Own Key" — And a Completely Separate Tool Version
Some of you following this project may know that I originally planned to include a "Bring Your Own Key" (BYOK) mode in the Steam version — letting players connect directly using their own API account, bypassing my server entirely.
In practice, I've come to understand that Steam's core principle is that a game must be playable out of the box. Regular players shouldn't have to deal with technical setup. I get it — this protects the majority: download, open, play. No need to know what an "API Key" is.
So the Steam version runs through my server by default. Open and play. No API configuration needed in settings.
There is also a completely separate tool version.
It's not "another mode" of the Steam version. It's an independent project built from the ground up — different code, different distribution channels, different purpose. The tool version may actually come out earlier than the Steam version.
Here's what it looks like:
-
[] Fully local — never connects to any server of mine
[] Your data stays entirely on your own hard drive
[] You configure your own API key — you control your own costs
[] Comes with a configuration guide
To be upfront: the tool version might be a bit rough around the edges. Bugs are on me — one person working solo, limited resources, no excuses. But it's real, it works, and it's entirely yours.
In short:
-
[] Steam version: download and play, server-hosted, you just tell stories
[] Tool version: a completely separate thing from the Steam version, fully local, fully free
The two versions release independently. Neither depends on the other.