[Guide] How to Bypass the Windows Security Warning to Play CIDER

In our previous update, we introduced the "Void Card" system, which lies at the core of this game’s mechanics.

We are incredibly grateful to see the number of downloads steadily increasing. However, there is a "high hurdle" that is almost inevitable for solo indie game developers: the security warning (such as Windows SmartScreen) that appears when opening an executable file on Windows, stating "Windows protected your PC."

We understand that seeing an unfamiliar warning can make players hesitate to run the game. To ensure you can experience CIDER with peace of mind, we have released a video guide explaining the steps from download to launching the game.

YouTube Guide: How to Download & Run CIDER

Why does this warning appear?

This is a standard Windows behavior that occurs when an executable file does not have a "Digital Signature." Obtaining these signatures requires developers to pay significant annual fees (ranging from hundreds to over a thousand dollars).

As CIDER is currently in its early stages and available for free on itch.io, we have not yet acquired this signature. Please be assured that the program does not contain any malicious code; however, the OS simply flags it as an "Unknown Publisher."

3 Steps to Run the Game

As explained in the video, here is the process after downloading from itch.io:

1. Extract the ZIP file: Right-click the downloaded file and select "Extract All."
2. Open the executable: Double-click CIDER.exe inside the extracted folder.
3. Click "More info" on the warning screen: When the blue "Windows protected your PC" screen appears, click the "More info" link on the left. This will reveal the "Run anyway" button.

Building Trust

As mentioned previously, our ideal goal is to provide the game through platforms like Steam, where such warnings do not appear.

However, we are still in the middle of development. For now, we hope this guide removes any psychological barriers, allowing as many people as possible to experience the strategic depth of CIDER.

Play the CIDER Development Build on itch.io
Play CIDER on itch.io

We Value Your Feedback

If you successfully launch the game, or if you encounter any issues even after following these steps, please let us know via Discord or in the comments. Hearing "It worked!" from you is a huge motivation for our development.

Join our Discord Server for reports and community:
https://discord.gg/4HRQ6ppyaq