The auto-update isn't the problem. I think you confuse Witch Trainer by Akabur with Witch Trainer: Silver, which has the mod tag. The original game is complete and mods don't show up on Latest Update section.
In case of The Spellbook it is something else. Sam stated that DRM (always online) for free content won't be promoted, for patreon/paid version however, it is fine. You can read Sam's post here:
https://f95zone.to/threads/the-spellbook-v0-14-5-0-public-naughtygames.21682/post-4215320
However, my request from last year to allow The Spellbook to return to Latest Update section was rejected due to the DRM protection for the pateon-only content. Which however, is a contradiction to what Sam stated in his own post (linked above) since the free content no longer requires an active internet connection.
I think Mods and staff members are not on the same page with their own rules or they don't want promote a game that can't be cracked. As you can see from my screenshot, they request that devs split the game client into a "free" and "patreon" version - only then the game will be allow on Latest Update section.
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