I'm working on a NES game that I hope to release commercially in 2023. I'd like to submit a working demo to NESDev Compo 2022. However, I saw the following in the rules: "Commercially released entries, and previously submitted entries with no changes are discouraged." 

So, does it make sense to include something that will (probably) be released commercially, but isn't yet? If I did submit the game, it would be maybe the first third of the game, and it would lack some of the features/polish that I hope to include in the final release, but it would be fully playable.

Thanks!

Matthew Justice

What you are planning is 100% OK, and very common! Many commercial homebrew games started life as NESDev Compo games ( Twin Dragons, Nebs 'n Debs, Project Blue). My own game, Witch n' Wiz, did exactly what you are planning: used the compo as a way to build a demo and an audience, with a planned eventual commercial release later that year.

The rule is more about ensuring that every entry is "new".

That's great - thanks! I appreciate the details too. Glad to hear I'm in good company.