when it comes to the rules re: common route text, does that essentially just include anything that is static and unchanging across the game no matter choices made? so as to make it that only choice-relevant text counts towards the total 1k word limit?
and would timestamps on text messages count towards that final 1k as well? i would like to use a text message format to communicate my story and want to use timestamps just to elevate that immersion but not at the cost of the total 1k. :)
Hi!
I’m not sure I understand your question. All text in the “body” of the game counts towards the 1k limit, whether it’s seen by the player or not. The only exception to this is if you have looping sections where the same text is shown again, etc. because the game returns to a previous scene in the code.
Regarding the second one… let me get back to you.
im sorry!! i wrote this q in a half-asleep stupor last night and wasnt quite sure how to communicate what i was wondering but i think i get it now! was just wondering what the parameters were for “common route” text :)
i thought if 3 lines of text are the same in every playthrough no matter what choices u make, that would be part of common route text and not count, vs the text that comes from the choice u make which would then change across each playthrough and thus count. i dont have a loop built into the gameplay, but players can obviously restart the game and are thus encountering the same base text until they make a choice, at which point new choice-relevant text appears.
idk if that explains it any better but i think i get it now anyways! :p + thank u im advance re: q # 2 as well!
Yep yep! All text counts towards the word limit, the common route thing was only if there was a loop in the game.
I’d highly encourage you to play a few of the games from past jams so you get an idea of the length, BTW. We have a few highlighted on the jam page but feel free to play others! I can really help you scope out the idea for the game.
