O2A2 2023 - Visual Novel Jam

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFé · 2023-06-21T14:28:13Z

Welcome to the jam! Once you've read the rules on the main page, here are some more specific cases to give you an idea of what you can work with. If you can't find your specific case or situation, feel free to ask below! ------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL CLARIFICATIONS You can: have more than a single choice or fork in your VN/story use your existing universe so long as the player does not need prior context to understand your entry have unlimited solid color backgrounds in menus and in-game generated by the engine, alongside your illustrated BG use Text-To-Speech without impact on any audio limits use any freely available asset (paid, Creative Commons, and others) generate images from AI prompts to adapt into assets if others can reasonably achieve the same output as you using the same settings - AI-generated assets are only allowed if you own the training data. (e.g. Photoshop's content-aware fill, training an entirely separate instance of AI on exclusively your work, using ML to remix art with permission from the artist, etc.) Systems in which the training data is not owned by the dev (ChatGPT, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and similar) are not allowed . provide additional information on the VN's website including separate character drawings, backstory info, banners and cover images, provided they don't make diminish the VN-only experience use your own existing assets not specifically made for a VN/game (e.g. vacation photos, childhood drawings, old poem) use previously created custom menu styles/GUI, even if they appeared in other games before submit NSFW/R18 work, provided it's tagged/flagged appropriately create additional simple shapes by code (e.g. squares, circles, etc.) draw an image by code, but only when the results are equivalent to having a single sprite and single BG prepare code for basic VN functions (e.g, skip, auto-forward, text history, save/load, etc.) in your engine of choice use any engine to create a game that is considered a VN first and foremost (e.g. due to the required assets needed, an engine such as any version of RPGMaker would not be allowed) update your game after the jam is complete (we highly recommend making it available as a separate download for posterity's sake, but this is not necessary) You cannot: use sprites, backgrounds, scripts or other assets made or commissioned for a different VN/game project before (even if it's unfinished or unreleased) ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE SPRITE It is within the rules to: have many facial expressions for the sprite by changing eyes, nose, eyebrows and mouth have many off-screen actors / characters, so long as only one is visually represented by a sprite have a character sprite that includes a separate auxiliary character that does not feature in interactions (e.g, a woman holding a baby, a pirate with a parrot, blind person with dog) have multiple "characters" associated with one sprite, as long as those are all a part of that singular entity (e.g, a medusa with talking snake hairs, a person playing with sock puppets on their hands, etc.) have a "suggestion" of another character represented by a shadow or a reflection with very vague detail (see Illustration/CG rules) have an "extra item" which is a single non-central element that will be hidden (man loses a hat, child's balloon flies away) or appears. use the single sprite for twins, clones, ghosts, swarms, etc. mirror and otherwise transform the sprite in game show only a portion of a sprite, including cut-outs or zooms. have an inanimate object as the sprite (e.g. UFO, a portal, a robot) having multiple small ambient objects as the sprite (e.g. adding traffic to the city, searchlights to prison) fully or partially assemble a sliced up sprite in game, and apply effects to individual elements (e.g. a snowman's head) animate parts of the sprite to achieve effects of breathing, bobbing their head, or other idle animation (this includes the usage of programs such as EmoFuri, Live2D, or Spline which do not require drawing new frames) create minor frame-by-frame animations involving features of the face, such as blinking or mouth movement have a single alternate movement of a single body part that is drawn differently (head, single arm) so long as it doesn't change the pose, and so long as the VN does not also use the allowed "extra item" You may not do the following: have multiple changes of clothes for the sprite, or any other separate layers that overlap with their non-transparent parts use a sprite overlay to vastly transform the background (e.g. pre- and post-war city) create extensive frame-by-frame animations of the sprite outside of parts of the face (e.g. snapping fingers, turning a hand around, etc.) change the sprite's pose significantly (e.g. move the torso) drawing alternate forms of hair or shaded clothes for any movement Illustrations (CGs) can: be used instead of a separate sprite and background feature a character with expression changes and other alterations analog to sprites feature simple crowd silhouettes, or suggestions of people without identifying details Illustrations (CGs) cannot: show multiple people in high detail show a silhouette next to a fully shown character ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE BACKGROUND It is within the rules to: use the engine's built-in functions, code, or scripting to alter the background (e.g. blur, night filter, mirroring) have a small looping animation (e.g. inside of train with passing scenery, waterfall) use zooming, panning and cutting around a larger image reveal previously obscured information or areas through pans, zooms and cuts use layers to show a sliced up an image as a single background (no opaque parts of layers can overlap) use custom particle effects, so long as there is only one type of particle being used (e.g, cherry blossom petals, fire, etc.) You may not do the following: create secondary versions (via multiple separate files) of the background image (e.g. blur, night version) use masks (via multiple separate files) to create secondary versions of the background image on screen use an image which is created in such a way that focusing on segments effectively changes scenes remove parts of a background to create a new scene, even if parts of it were seen in the original (e.g. there is a wall a window with a view outside, and then that wall is removed so the scene is now outside completely) ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE THOUSAND WORDS When in doubt, pure words counted by Google Documents are to be taken as standard. Counts against the 1.000 word limit: foreword / afterword / author's notes text of all the VN's branches combined text of choices images of letters or longer-form text any additional parallel language / translation custom menu items like "Start your adventure" instead of "Start" emoji-only statements (count as a single word) emoji made of words (count as the amount of words in the emoji) ellipses (a freestanding ... is considered a word by most word processors) Does not count against the 1.000 word limit: minigame using words if it's purely a game mechanic (does not advance story) chapter names, even if displayed on screen signs, posters, even if they relate to the story short factual glossary, if explanation cannot be reasonably provided in game in-game content warnings credits, help / controls user input text emoji used to only accompany and reiterate a word or statement repeats of blocks of text achieved by scripting (e.g. common route, recurring dream) surplus text generated from a base text that is within the word count limit (e.g. chat bot, AI generator) name tags, so long as they are not directly conveying narrative image captions intended to describe visuals to players with low vision conditions for accessibility Concerning the last point, please utilize an engine's accessibility features and do not abuse image captions to add to the narration in a way that moves it forward. We trust that participants will consider making their games more accessible to low vision readers in good faith. If you are using Ren'Py, we suggest npckc's Caption Tool in order to add image captions to your game. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE MUSIC TRACK OR ONE AMBIENT BACKGROUND NOISE It is within the rules to: use a looped sound effect acting as ambient background noise (e.g. rain) use a track with multiple melodies / styles, if it existed prior to the jam, and only a single segment is looped, with another segment looped only for a special short segment / occasion. alter the pitch or speed of audio via code If an ambient audio file you create or find has multiple sources of different audio (e.g. a storm may have wind, rain, and thunder) and you do not control the timing of the other recorded audio, this all counts as one ambient track . If you do control the timing of other sounds, this counts as your sound effect . You may not do the following: create or use a track by combining composed music and ambient sounds use a mash-up or mix of multiple songs with timed transitions (megamix, medley) have additional menu music that loops (if the VN also has in-game music/ambient noise) ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE SOUND EFFECT The single sound effect... can be used multiple times cannot be looped continuously (if yes, it counts as background noise per the last section) can be made by a person different from the voice actor (we consider this to be a foley sound) can bed altered via code This limit does not apply to interface sounds, which are considered part of the GUI. Having different sounds assigned to button hover, activation, etc. could be an accessibility feature for low-vision players, as that's audio feedback for different actions. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE VOICE ACTOR Your entry's single voice actor... can use use variations of voices can have their voice modulated and processed to create completely different sounding voices can be replaced by sound effects / beeps processed to act as voices (this does not count as the sound effect) can speak lines not part of the VN's text, provided they don't go over 1.000 words combined Regarding usage of voice beeps in lieu of voice acting: you may create different beeps per character as long as it remains consistent to that character. ------------------------------------------------------------------- SPLASH SCREEN / MAIN MENU / GAME MENU ART / GUI The main menu / title screen background is now considered part of the GUI and thus is not beholden to many of the previous year's restrictions. It is within the rules to: display multiple splashscreens before the start (e.g, for the jam, engine used, studio logo) have multiple variations of the title screen / game menu background show as many characters / objects as you'd like show a different location from the one in the game use a combination of the sprite and background or the one CG as the main menu have multiple typefaces You may not do the following: show any part of the main menu in the flow of your script if it is different from the assets in the game Regarding image buttons that appear to be objects: these buttons should only appear as a choice, and the images should not appear again in other parts of the game due to the fact that this can be abused to bypass the item/arm/head change limit. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE THUMBNAIL ART The restrictions for the itch thumbnail for your game's preview have now been relaxed, as we recognize that it is an important aspect of marketing your game to potential players. It is within the rules to: show as many characters as you'd like show a different location from the one in the game create any animation for it, even one with multiple frames of animation ------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE PROJECT One person in the O2A2 jam... can only be the primary creative lead for a single project (e.g. producer, director, author) can additionally be a secondary creative contributor for someone else's project (e.g. draw a sprite) can further collaborate on other projects in a non-creative role (e.g. coordination, marketing) ------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFERING WEB BUILDS OF YOUR ENTRY If you offer both a web and downloadable version of your game, you may optimize effects (e.g. video backgrounds) for the web build as long as the downloadable version follows the rules. You may want to note differences between versions if applicable. Please follow this rule in good faith. ------------------------------------------------------------------- OMAKES AND FANDISC RULES An omake means "extra," as in extra/bonus content for source material that you own or have permission to develop for. Fandisc is another term for the same concept. It is within the rules to: reference assets from your main game to create new assets (e.g. redrawing a sprite or BG, making a remix of a song, etc.) reuse code from your main project to expedite development (e.g. recycling animations, code for setting up images, etc.) use the same GUI from your main project You may not do the following: directly reuse any non-GUI assets you have created for your main game We highly suggest writing your omake in a way that those unfamiliar with the source material are able to enjoy it, but this is not a requirement. ------------------------------------------------------------------- FANGAME AND DERIVATIVE WORK RULES Fangames or derivative works are generally unofficial works based on source material that you do not own or have express permission to develop for. The O2A2 Jam Hosts are not responsible for any cease and desist notices for individual entries should they occur. It is within the rules to: adapt an existing fanfic or other work you created or have permission to use into a visual novel format You may not do the following: directly reuse any assets from the official source material (this is piracy!) We highly suggest writing your fangame in a way that those unfamiliar with the source material are able to enjoy it, but this is not a requirement. For your protection in the majority of cases, we also suggest turning donations and PWYW off for fangame entries. ------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSLATIONS/DIFFERENT LANGUAGES In the case that you want to release a game in several languages: the restrictions on 1k words and the one VA would apply to each version. It is within the rules to: make a game with several languages, where the text of each version does not surpass 1000 words. use a different VA for each language. You may not do the following: use more than one of any other asset that is not affected by having different languages in the game.

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O2A2 2023 - Visual Novel Jam community

!READ THIS! Rules, Interpretations, & FAQ Sticky

A topic by PRINCESS INTERNET CAFé created Jun 21, 2023 Views: 4,315 Replies: 97

Viewing posts 21 to 31 of 31 · Previous page · First page

RedWool2 years ago

Hi, I have a question about the background. Can we use a skybox as the background?

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Hi, sorry for the delay.

Normally we tell people to work with flat assets and any 3d they do to then render as a png. What are you trying to achieve using a skybox?

RedWool2 years ago

We are having the character be a flat billboard png, with visual effects that require a 3d perspective, so the skybox will act as the background when rotating the camera.

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Hello! Yes, that’d be fine as long as that’s the only asset you’ll be using as the background!

rottentiefSubmitted2 years ago

Me again with another question! (sorry!)

I know in the rules it says repeat text via scripting doesn't count towards the word limit but what about the opposite?
I have text in game that is identical but I will need to write it in my code twice to have different font styles.
Context: text will be regular and still if the players have kept MC calm but a bold, shaking version will appear of the same line if they have made poor choices.
"oh no" vs "oh no" would I need to count this as 2 words or 4 words for the total count?

If I need to add both versions to the total do I also need to do that if the 2nd version exists for accessibility? (one line of code for shaking version shown in game, another for regular text if kinetic text is turned off)

thanks again! ^^

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Hello, it'd be cool if you were able to do this styling using variables. I know this is possible to do with Ink, and I've been told that with Ren'Py this should be possible. I don't know what you're using though. So please do try first.

However, if you can't achieve it that way then we would allow this as an exception, as it's the same text.

rottentiefSubmitted2 years ago

Okay will do!!! o7
thanks again :)

nihomiSubmitted2 years ago

Re: 1k word limit, what's the policy on repeated use of very long compound words with either no spaces or separated by punctuation (i.e. GoogleDocsCountsThisAsOneWord)? FWIW, I mainly use them for comedic effect in my script but I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to skirt the word limit, so I can cut down on them if need be.

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Honestly, Google docs may count those as separate words but you know they are several ones out together. Cut down on them as much as possible, please.

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago (1 edit)

Actually, let me rephrase this because I'm not sure I've been clear. We ask you to refrain from overdoing this. But when you do it, each "real word" counts as one (so CamelWordSentence is 3 words).

And also, we appreciate you asking :)

nihomiSubmitted2 years ago (1 edit)

Alright, thank you for clarifying!!

josefine77Submitted2 years ago

is postprocessing allowed? Like making everything darker for night

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Hi, this is explained in the main post under ONE BACKGROUND.

RastagongSubmitted2 years ago (1 edit)

Hello! I was wondering: is there a specific reason why Creative Commons resources with a Non-Commercial (-NC) clause were not recommended this year? Has there been trouble with them in the past? From the rules:

(this time we’re strongly suggesting that you avoid CC assets that include the Noncommercial or -NC license part!)

BY-NC might be the most common license on Flickr, which I tend to use for photographic backgrounds, but I always abide by the rules: crediting the original author clearly and with a link, and making a non-commercial work, always non-ambiguously (free now and forever, without any donations button, future paid version or anything like that).
If it’s really problematic, I’ll restrain myself to choose a photo licensed under BY alone, but that does restrict choices.

Thanks in advance!

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago(+1)

Hi! This is something we introduced for the Queer Edition earlier this year, and we've kinda kept around in case people wanted to monetize their games (with donations, etc.). If you do not plan to monetize it, please feel free to use -NC!!!

RastagongSubmitted2 years ago

Ah I see, this makes sense!
OK, thank you so much!!

LunaRaydueSubmitted2 years ago

Hello!! Bit of a last-minute question, I have an idea for the main menu featuring a mock newspaper article about events prior to the game. The mockup article would be used separately for promo, and in the menu a good chunk of the text would be visible. Would that be okay, or is that against the spirit of the jam to have so much text that's not in-game on the menu?

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Hello! Sorry it’s taken so long but we were unsure what to do about this one. So we were scouring the rule set to see if there’d be something there that would allow for this… We hate saying “no”, but regrettable this is one of those cases.

We’re super sorry, but we believe this would go against the rules and the spirit of the jam. However, you make definitely use it as promo material or an attachment outside of the game.

LunaRaydueSubmitted2 years ago

Understandable!! I'll use just the headline (which fits in the word count) and some scribbles to imitate words for the rest on the menu. Thank you!

MustacheSkullsSubmitted2 years ago (1 edit)

Hi! We're using rpg maker MV as the engine for our project, but I was told that it's not allowed due to the assets needed? But is still prohibited even if we don't use the primary rpg system and have plugins to make it a visual novel?

You can find an example here in the first part of the game:

https://mustacheskulls.itch.io/world-of-you

Obs: World of You doesn't have a save feature available (it can only be saved in important bits) but that can be implemented within the O2A2 game we're creating

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Hey. Yeah, the use of RPGMaker is banned in general, as stated in the general rules, because our understanding is that to have any VN sections, you need to have some sort of overworld that uses the tile system. This would clash with the rule set about the number of assets.

Now, if by using this plug-in you can completely bypass having to use an overworld, we’ll allow this, but we would’ve appreciated you had read the rules and come to us earlier.

MustacheSkullsSubmitted2 years ago

yeah, with the plugin there's no need for an overworld. It changes all the rpg aspects and turns it into a complete visual novel engine. And I understand, it's all on me for missing that part completely when reading the rules, next time we'll be more careful about it. Thanks for replying!

KittenpuppysSubmitted2 years ago

Hi! I just wanna ask a quick question, because I am unsure. For the extra item it says "which is a single non-central element that will be hidden" does that mean that the item cannot be something important to the story? In my game the character will collect a photo, and I was wondering if I could as the extra item make the sprite hold the photo. I have some photos for what I mean. Thanks in advance :D

PRINCESS INTERNET CAFéJam Host2 years ago

Hey! This is fine :)

KittenpuppysSubmitted2 years ago

thanks :D

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