"Games and poems" by genuina. This is a game where you can play through each page and interact with a scanned colored pencil drawing of various video game characters who then recite different poems. This submission is both amazing and precious. The creators says "I am 14 and this is my first ever game. Please help me get better cuz I love programming, literature, and art. This is also my first time writing poems. This is a game (kinda) where you can read poems written by various videogame characters. Only has 5 characters for now. ". It made me so happy and pleased to learn that at least two kids (see Lucy's submission here) felt welcome and encouraged enough to make something for poetry jam. The art style for this submission reminds me so much of exactly how my art used to look from ages 10-16, but instead of being made fun of or feeling insecure, we actually have a small game as a way for a kid to get better at their art. I think it's amazing! I didn't attempt to make my first game until I was 17, and I still have never finished one. The colored pencils are just great also, I was never good with colored pencils, so it's always been impressive to me. What can I say but how great and nice this submission felt to see, play, and read.
The poetry itself is pretty straightforward and deals with being from the perspective of every character depicted. Most of the characters are from horror material so the poems might seem a bit morbid. There's only one song that plays in the background the whole time that's very pretty, chipper, and upbeat. I actually really enjoyed the dichotomy of that so much because the contrast of such positive music with poems about murderous anime girls just felt really organic. It's so clear that this entire project comes straight from genuina's heart. The game itself was made with Ren'py (a visual novel game engine) and is put together pretty nicely. I actually think the illustrations are really good all things considered. I've definitely made a lot worse art in my life. My advice to the creator right now is to keep on drawings, writing, coding, and making art. You're already doing so well, and a lot of the improvement comes from time, practice, and learning multiple mediums (like digital software for making art). I think you're gunna make some really amazing stuff, and I'm so glad you submitted to the jam. Also, your poems came across really clearly, which I know you were worried since English isn't your first language, but you did a really good job. This submission was great, it made me really happy to experience all of it!
If you've got any tips, resources, software, support, or constructive criticism you could give to genuina please do! [But if you hurt, harass, or bother any of the kids who submit to the jam I will end you :)]
"I admit that i deleted her i wanted you to like me But now i know You are in your own reality."