The Benefits of Upgrading Your Construct 2 License File
What is Construct 2 and why do you need a license file?
Have you ever dreamed of making your own games without coding? If so, you might have heard of Construct 2, a powerful game creation software that lets you design and publish games for various platforms using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Sounds awesome, right? But before you start creating your masterpiece, you need to know how Construct 2 licenses work and how to get a license file for your software.
Construct 2 License File
A license file is a small text file that contains your name, email address, and a unique code that identifies your license type. It is also called c2license.txt. You need a license file to unlock all the features of Construct 2 and use it for commercial purposes. Without a license file, you can only use Construct 2 as a free edition, which has some limitations.
In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about Construct 2 licenses and how to get a license file from Scirra or Steam. By the end of this article, you will be able to choose the best license for your needs and start making amazing games with Construct 2.
Construct 2 Free Edition
The free edition of Construct 2 is a great way to get started with game development. You can download and install it on any computer for free, including site-wide at non-commercial institutions like schools. You can also use it to learn the basics of Construct 2 and create small projects for fun or education.
Features and limitations of the free edition
The free edition has all the features of the full software, but with a couple of limits. These are:
A maximum of 100 events in a project
A maximum of 4 layers on any layout
A maximum of 2 effects in a project
No organizing the project with subfolders
No event search
No Configurations bar
No Families
No access to Preview on LAN
Not allowed to be used for commercial purposes (however, it can be used in education and other non-profit organizations)
Several exporters, e.g. for mobile or desktop publishing, are unavailable
An event is a single line of logic in Construct 2 that defines what happens when certain conditions are met. For example, an event could be "When spacebar is pressed -> Create bullet". A layer is a way to organize objects on a layout (the game screen). For example, you could have a background layer, a gameplay layer, and a UI layer. An effect is a visual enhancement that can be applied to objects or layers. For example, you could add a blur effect to the background layer to create a depth of field effect. A subfolder is a way to group and organize your project files, such as images, sounds, or fonts. A configuration is a set of settings that can be applied to different platforms or devices. For example, you could have a configuration for mobile devices that reduces the graphics quality and disables some effects. A family is a way to group similar objects and apply events or behaviors to them at once. For example, you could have a family of enemies that share the same health and damage values. Preview on LAN is a feature that allows you to test your game on multiple devices connected to the same local network.
As you can see, the free edition has some significant restrictions that can limit your creativity and productivity. If you want to make more complex and professional games with Construct 2, you will need to upgrade to a paid license.
Who can use the free edition and for what purposes
The free edition of Construct 2 is intended for personal, non-commercial use only. This means that you can use it for:
Learning how to use Construct 2 and game development in general
Making small games or prototypes for fun or education
Participating in game jams or competitions (as long as you don't make any money from them)
Sharing your games with friends or family (as long as you don't charge them or display ads)
Using it in non-profit organizations, such as schools, libraries, or charities (as long as you don't sell or distribute your games)
If you want to use Construct 2 for any commercial purpose, such as selling your games, displaying ads, offering in-app purchases, or using it in a business or organization that makes money, you will need to purchase a paid license. This also applies if you want to use Construct 2 for freelance work or contract work for other companies or clients.
Construct 2 Personal License
The personal license of Construct 2 is the most affordable option for individuals who want to make games with Construct 2 and monetize them. It costs $129.99 USD and it is a one-time payment that grants you lifetime access to Construct 2 and all future updates.
Features and benefits of the personal license
The personal license has all the features of the free edition, plus:
No limits on events, layers, effects, subfolders, configurations, families, or preview on LAN
Access to all exporters, including HTML5, Android, iOS, Windows Phone 8, Windows Desktop (EXE), Mac OS X (APP), Linux (BIN), Windows Store (APPX), Blackberry 10 (BAR), Amazon Appstore (APK), Tizen (WGT), Facebook (HTML5), Chrome Web Store (CRX), Scirra Arcade (ZIP), Kongregate (ZIP), Newgrounds (ZIP), PhoneGap Build (ZIP), CocoonJS Cloud Compiler (ZIP), and Ejecta (ZIP)
Ability to use Construct 2 for commercial purposes up to $5,000 USD lifetime revenue per project
Ability to use Construct 2 on up to two computers at the same time
Access to premium support from Scirra via email or forum
Access to exclusive offers and discounts from Scirra's partners
As you can see, the personal license gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility to make any kind of game you want with Construct 2 and publish it on various platforms. You can also make money from your games up to $5,000 USD lifetime revenue per project. This means that if you make more than one game with Construct 2, each game has its own revenue limit. For example, if you make three games with Construct 2 and each game makes $4,000 USD lifetime revenue, you are still within the limit of the personal license.
Rules and requirements for individuals and organizations using the personal license
The personal license of Construct 2 is designed for individuals who make games as a hobby or a side income. It is not intended for businesses or organizations that make games as their main activity or source of income. Therefore, there are some rules and requirements that you need to follow if you use the personal license:
You must be the sole owner of the license and the games you make with it. You cannot share your license file or your project files with anyone else.
You must not use Construct 2 as part of a team or a collaboration. You can only work on your own projects by yourself.
You must You must not use Construct 2 for any project that is funded by a third party, such as a publisher, a sponsor, a grant, or a crowdfunding campaign.
You must not use Construct 2 for any project that is part of a larger work, such as a series, a franchise, or a brand.
You must not use Construct 2 for any project that is intended for gambling, adult, or illegal purposes.
You must display the Construct 2 splash screen at the start of your game, unless you have purchased the Splash Screen Option from Scirra for $39 USD.
You must comply with the Construct 2 End User License Agreement (EULA) and the terms and conditions of the platforms you publish your games on.
If you violate any of these rules or requirements, you risk losing your license and facing legal action from Scirra or the platform owners. Therefore, it is very important that you read and understand the EULA and the platform terms before you use Construct 2 for your projects.
How to purchase and use the personal license
If you decide to purchase the personal license of Construct 2, you have two options: you can buy it directly from Scirra's website or you can buy it from Steam. Both options have their pros and cons, so you should choose the one that suits you best.
If you buy the personal license from Scirra's website, you will receive an email with a link to download your license file. You will also be able to access your license file from your Scirra account page. You will need to install and activate your license file on your computer or removable drive to use Construct 2. You can also transfer your license file to another computer or removable drive if you need to. However, you can only use Construct 2 on up to two computers at the same time.
If you buy the personal license from Steam, you will receive a Steam key that you can redeem on Steam. You will need to install and run Construct 2 through Steam to use it. You will also be able to access your license file from your Steam account page. You will not need to install or activate your license file on your computer or removable drive, as Steam will do it for you automatically. You can also use Steam's cloud sync feature to save and load your projects across multiple devices. However, you will need to have an active internet connection and be logged in to Steam to use Construct 2.
Both options cost $129.99 USD and include lifetime updates and support. However, if you buy the personal license from Scirra's website, you will also get a free copy of Construct Classic, an older version of Construct 2 that is no longer supported but still has some features that are not available in Construct 2. You will also get a free copy of Spriter Pro, a powerful animation software that works well with Construct 2.
Construct 2 Business License
The business license of Construct 2 is the most expensive option for individuals or organizations who want to make games with Construct 2 and monetize them. It costs $429.99 USD and it is a one-time payment that grants you lifetime access to Construct 2 and all future updates.
Features and benefits of the business license
The business license has all the features of the personal license, plus:
No revenue limit per project. You can make as much money as you want from your games without paying any royalties or fees to Scirra.
Ability to use Construct 2 as part of a team or a collaboration. You can share your license file and your project files with other people who have a business license.
Ability to use Construct 2 for any project that is funded by a third party, such as a publisher, a sponsor, a grant, or a crowdfunding campaign.
Ability to use Construct 2 for any project that is part of a larger work, such as a series, a franchise, or a brand.
Ability to use Construct 2 for any project that is intended for gambling, adult, or illegal purposes (as long as they are legal in your jurisdiction).
Ability to remove the Construct 2 splash screen from your games without purchasing the Splash Screen Option.
As you can see, the business license gives you the most freedom and flexibility to make any kind of game you want with Construct 2 and publish it on various platforms. You can also make unlimited money from your games without worrying about any restrictions or obligations. The business license is ideal for professional game developers who want to use Construct 2 as their main tool for creating games.
Rules and requirements for individuals and organizations using the business license
The business license of Construct 2 is designed for individuals or organizations who make games as their main activity or source of income. It is not intended for hobbyists or students who make games for fun or education. Therefore, there are some rules and requirements that you need to follow if you use the business license:
You must purchase one business license per person who uses Construct 2. You cannot share your license file or your project files with anyone who does not have a business license.
You must purchase the business license before you make more than $5,000 USD lifetime revenue from any project made with Construct 2. You cannot use the personal license or the free edition and then upgrade to the business license after you reach the revenue limit.
You must comply with the Construct 2 End User License Agreement (EULA) and the terms and conditions of the platforms you publish your games on.
If you violate any of these rules or requirements, you risk losing your license and facing legal action from Scirra or the platform owners. Therefore, it is very important that you read and understand the EULA and the platform terms before you use Construct 2 for your projects.
How to purchase and use the business license
If you decide to purchase the business license of Construct 2, you have two options: you can buy it directly from Scirra's website or you can buy it from Steam. Both options have their pros and cons, so you should choose the one that suits you best.
If you buy the business license from Scirra's website, you will receive an email with a link to download your license file. You will also be able to access your license file from your Scirra account page. You will need to install and activate your license file on your computer or removable drive to use Construct 2. You can also transfer your license file to another computer or removable drive if you need to. However, you can only use Construct 2 on up to two computers at the same time.
If you buy the business license from Steam, you will receive a Steam key that you can redeem on Steam. You will need to install and run Construct 2 through Steam to use it. You will also be able to access your license file from your Steam account page. You will not need to install or activate your license file on your computer or removable drive, as Steam will do it for you automatically. You can also use Steam's cloud sync feature to save and load your projects across multiple devices. However, you will need to have an active internet connection and be logged in to Steam to use Construct 2.
Both options cost $429.99 USD and include lifetime updates and support. However, if you buy the business license from Scirra's website, you will also get a free copy of Construct Classic, an older version of Construct 2 that is no longer supported but still has some features that are not available in Construct 2. You will also get a free copy of Spriter Pro, a powerful animation software that works well with Construct 2.
How to get the license file from Scirra or Steam
Once you have purchased a personal or a business license of Construct 2, you will need to get your license file from Scirra or Steam and install it on your computer or removable drive. This is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Here are the steps for each option:
How to redeem your key and download your c2license.txt file from Scirra
Go to https://www.scirra.com/store/redeem-key and enter your email address and your key that you received in your purchase confirmation email.
Click on "Redeem Key" and wait for a few seconds until your key is validated.
Click on "Download License File" and save the c2license.txt file to your computer or removable drive.
How to install and activate your license file on your computer or removable drive
Open Construct 2 on your computer or removable drive.
Go to File -> Preferences -> License.
Click on "Install License" and browse to the location where you saved the c2license.txt file.
Select the c2license.txt file and click on "Open".
Wait for a few seconds until your license is installed and activated.
Restart Construct 2 to apply the changes.
How to use Steam to manage your license
Open Steam on your computer or removable drive Open Steam on your computer or removable drive.
Go to Library -> Software and find Construct 2 in your list of software.
Right-click on Construct 2 and select "Install Game" or "Play Game" depending on whether you have already installed it or not.
Wait for a few minutes until Construct 2 is installed or launched.
Steam will automatically download and install your license file on your computer or removable drive. You will not need to do anything else.
You can also access your license file from your Steam account page by going to Account -> Licenses and Subscriptions and finding Construct 2 in your list of licenses.
Conclusion
In this article, I have explained what Construct 2 is and why you need a license file to use it. I have also compared the different types of licenses available and how to choose the best one for your needs. Finally, I have shown you how to get your license file from Scirra or Steam and how to install and activate it on your computer or removable drive.
I hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you and help you out with any issues you might have with Construct 2.
Now that you have your license file, you are ready to start making awesome games with Construct 2. Have fun and good luck!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Construct 2 licenses and license files:
What is the difference between Construct 2 and Construct 3?
Construct 3 is the latest version of Construct, a game creation software that is similar to Construct 2 but has some new features and improvements. Construct 3 is a web-based software that runs in your browser, so you don't need to download or install anything. You can also use it on any device, including mobile phones and tablets. However, Construct 3 requires a subscription fee to use, unlike Construct 2 which only requires a one-time payment. You can learn more about Construct 3 here.
Can I use both Construct 2 and Construct 3 with the same license?
No, you cannot. Construct 2 and Construct 3 have different licensing systems and are not compatible with each other. If you want to use both software, you will need to purchase separate licenses for each one.
Can I upgrade my license from personal to business?
Yes, you can. If you have purchased a personal license of Construct 2 and you want to upgrade to a business license, you can do so by paying the difference in price. You can upgrade your license from Scirra's website here or from Steam here.
Can I transfer my license to another person?
No, you cannot. Your license is tied to your name and email address and cannot be transferred to another person. You can only share your license file with other people who have the same type of license as you (personal or business).
Can I get a refund for my license?
No, you cannot. Scirra does not offer refunds for Construct 2 licenses, unless there is a technical problem that prevents you from using the software. You can read more about Scirra's refund policy here.
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