What is MultiPlay?
MultiPlay is a feature of the Itchy app that allows users to play local-multiplayer style Scratch games with friends in real-time. It uses WebRTC to connect devices over a peer-to-peer connection and stream the Scratch project from one device while sending control inputs from other devices.
Is MultiPlay secure?
Yes, MultiPlay uses the WebRTC technology for peer-to-peer connections, which are encrypted by default. Additionally, the signaling server used to establish connections does not store or log any communication between devices.
Sending control inputs does not actually emulate real keypress or mouse events on the host device, but instead injects inputs directly into the TurboWarp virtual machine running inside Itchy. This means that MultiPlay does not have access to your device or your personal data.
Can anyone use MultiPlay?
To comply with child privacy laws, MultiPlay is restricted to users aged 13 and older. This is to ensure that all participants can understand and consent to the real-time connection features.
I don't see the MultiPlay feature in my app
At present, MultiPlay is only available in the beta version of the Itchy app, which you can join at this link. You also may not see the MultiPlay feature if you are under 13 years old, as MultiPlay is restricted to users aged 13 and older.
Does MultiPlay comply with the Scratch community guidelines?
Yes, MultiPlay is designed to comply with Scratch's community guidelines. It does not allow sharing of personal information, inappropriate content, or any features that violate Scratch's terms of service. All interactions are limited to the context of the Scratch project being played, which is fully subject to moderation by the Scratch Team.
Why is my MultiPlay session not connecting?
MultiPlay uses WebRTC in STUN mode, which may require additional network configuration (e.g., firewall settings) to work properly. If you're having trouble connecting, please check your network settings or try using a different network. Many school or workplace networks may block WebRTC traffic by default, so you may encounter issues on those kinds of networks.
How do I communicate with other players?
Itchy does not provide built-in chat or voice communication features for MultiPlay in order to comply with the Scratch community guidelines. Itchy MultiPlay is designed to be primarily used by friends who are in the same physical location.
How many players are supported?
In the current beta stage, MultiPlay currently supports 2 players in a session. This limitation may be increased to 4 players in the future, depending on performance and user feedback.
______ isn't working, fix it
MultiPlay is still in beta, and we are actively working on improving the feature. Chances are, if you encounter a bug, we've already encountered it and are working on it. Don't expect everything to work perfectly or fixes to be immediate. If you'd like, you can report bugs on our Github issue tracker.