Post by Stella @ MakeVisualNovels in Questions about jam rules and about some horror common themes and "events"

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Blood, and psychological themes are generally fine.

Gore and disfigurement is permitted but as a judge I recommend it in moderation if you are competing for ranked prizes.

You cannot demonstrate/instruct, glorify, or issue a statement of intent of suicide,. You've omitted in your quotes. There are a few exceptions to this, such as instances of noble sacrifice where the desired outcome isn't strictly self-destruction. As the host of the jam, I would recommend staying far away from suicide as a type of content, as your entry can be pulled, ranked or not, if any of the judges feels it violates that rule. Visually depicting the act of suicide, or the immediate aftermath of one always violates the rule.

HellWimp20 hours ago

If it's recommended that you stay away from suicide entirely as a topic, shouldn't that be in the rules?

The rules just say

'Our judges do not wish to review content where upon suicide or self-harm is promoted, glorified, or instructed.

Text, whether in-game or in the non-executable files of the submission, containing instructions, encouragement of, or statement of intent of suicide or self-harm are similarly disqualified and reported to Itch.IO staff where applicable.

If you do not feel safe or have ideations of self-harm or suicide, please visit the find a helpline site to find a crisis helpline in your country!'

I don't think it makes it clear that the theme is meant to be avoided entirely.

Stella @ MakeVisualNovels20 hours ago

Because my recommendations are not rules, just guidance to improve people's odds during the competition.

HellWimp19 hours ago

I just think that the way it's phrased in the rules makes it sound like it's okay to have themes of suicide or suicidal intent in you're game as long as you're not glorifying it. Like, it's fine if you portray it as a a bad thing and make it clear you shouldn't kill yourself and that's really bad actually. But if just having suicide as a concept in the game can get it pulled and it's recommended you don't touch it, when you also have to pay to be judged, I think that should be made more clear

Stella @ MakeVisualNovels19 hours ago

I think the part you're missing here is that treatment of the subject is often mishandled, and while one person might not see it as glorifying, another might. The rule is as it stands, and the recommendation is less commentary on the rule than it is how often people run afoul to it on accident.

itch.io

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