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Thank you! This was really nice to read!

I'm happy that you enjoyed the experience!

Thank you!

I'm glad that you enjoyed the experience!

Thank you!

I will be going back and editing the audio lines throughout and adding the missing ones shortly.

I was worried that the story might get away from people at some points because it is inherently a prequel to  Aldrich Academy: Reservoir. While the story is contained within itself, many things aren't answered due to time constraints. Once the contest is over, I plan to go through everything, add voice lines, different endings, and finish it properly.

I will admit, time constraints forced me to retool the ending a bit.

Poppy and Mable were excellent! Ronin and Hattori were also incredible, but I sadly didn't have enough time to edit their audio!

Anyways!

I'm excited that you enjoyed the current experience, and I hope you'll also enjoy the finalized story in the future!

Wolfskins Curse was a blast! 

The story was interesting. It has beautiful character art, backgrounds, and music. We noticed a couple of spelling mistakes, and one or two transitions tripped us up, but otherwise, this VN was incredibly well designed and as near to perfect as you can expect in this type of crunch. Considering the length of the story, a couple of mistakes are near nothing, credits to the editing team.

We were a bit confused by a scene near the end, but I think we were such big dorks on stream that we ended up confusing ourselves! Everything up to the confusion was easy to understand and hooked us in right away. We spent the entire playthrough pointing fingers at people, trying to guess the plot point.

We thought the game would be about an hour at the most, but we ended up playing for nearly three hours!!

We streamed with our voices because we like to interact with our stream as much as possible, but we recommend downloading so you can hear the actual voice actors!

You can find our playthrough here!

9.5/10 (We rated 5 stars.)

One appreciates your generous review.

Awesome! I'm excited to hear back about that! I think you've created something very special!!

This game made me incredibly uncomfortable at times.

Check the content warnings before playing!

The art is interesting!!

(I didn't see the comment I left on the Jam page here, sorry if this is a double post.)

This was really adorable!

I enjoyed playing it a lot. Short and sweet, and providing you with all the feels you could ever ask.

I was happy to see someone taking a similar theme to my own submission in the lessons you as the player learn. I don't want to spoil Fightwood, but I am pleased with how the story was told, and the lessons were taught.

This was a wonderful experience. Though I was left wishing there was more. That is positive and negative. I am very interested in seeing more, but I was also left with saying, "Is that all? Come on. I need more!"

The art style was cute, though I did have difficulty telling who was speaking at some points. That doesn't take too much away from the story. I was able to click back and double-check.

The transitions with effects were very strong. I also enjoyed how interactive the background was.

In closing, Frightwood is a wonderful experience with fantastic art and a carefully crafted story, though a bit short for my tastes.

9/10 (Rated 5 Stars.)

This was really adorable!

I enjoyed playing it a lot. Short and sweet, and providing you with all the feels you could ever ask.

I was happy to see someone taking a similar theme to my own submission in the lessons you as the player learn. I don't want to spoil Fightwood, but I am pleased with how the story was told, and the lessons were taught.

This was a wonderful experience. Though I was left wishing there was more. That is positive and negative. I am very interested in seeing more, but I was also left with saying, "Is that all? Come on. I need more!"

The art style was cute, though I did have difficulty telling who was speaking at some points. That doesn't take too much away from the story. I was able to click back and double-check.

The transitions with effects were very strong. I also enjoyed how interactive the background was.

In closing, Frightwood is a wonderful experience with fantastic art and a carefully crafted story, though a bit short for my tastes.

9/10 (Rated 5 Stars.)

I checked and overnight I went from 23 ratings, to 37 ratings. That's an extremely high jump. Considering that I had 2 views, and 2 downloads yesterday.

I wanted to thank you for playing my game, and also providing some very strong constructive criticism. 

(Edit: I also wanted to thank you for voice acting the characters. That was great.)

I'll take this time to properly address everything that you mentioned!

Combat:

When it came to combat, I hadn't actually even started a system. I started the contest a week late, and when I started, I spent about two weeks developing the art and designing the characters. I am not an artist, and by that, I mean that I don't draw regularly. Most of my experience comes from my teens. It took a very long time to get each background done, and longer for the characters. I did everything with a mouse (no tablet) I'd estimate each piece at about five hours. When I had completed the art (mostly) I only had a week left.

This game takes place in the same universe as Aldrich Academy, it's a series I've been working on for about three years. I'd call this an origin story of a currently unknown character in that universe.

You can see more information on Aldrich Academy at the following link:

www.aldrichacademy.ca

You can also see the combat system developed for that universe in the course selections. All art in the website is drawn by @MakioKuta on twitter. She is an amazing artist, and dear friend. When Custodian is completed, most of the art will be redrawn by her in her style.

(Edit: I will likely continue drawing the backgrounds.)

Music:

As mentioned above, I've been working on a universe called Aldrich Academy for awhile. I already have an OST for Aldrich Academy, and sadly all the OSTs wouldn't be allowed in the contest. You can listen to the music in the link below. A lot of this music would be used in Custodian as well.

https://soundcloud.com/scythuz/sets/the-ghost-of-aldrich-academy-ost-remastered-tracks

I wanted to use the RTP, but by the time I felt confident enough to add music, I had about one day and ten hours left. I wanted to make sure people tested the game before the contest started, so should anyone discover any bugs- they could be solved before the games were locked. In hindsight, I regret not adding RTP. I could have done a quick hour rush job, and still had time to post the game and get it tested.

All the music for Aldrich Academy is designed by a wonderful friend, @Scythuz on twitter.

Crazy Eyes:

When it came to her 'crazy eyes', I sadly didn't have the time to explain things properly.

In my universe, there is a race called 'Ma'sfet'. These people are blessed by the goddess of the same name, and are granted unusual abilities. Some can summon weapons, others armour, while a very rare few have more support based abilities. These abilities don't usually manifest until a person is in their teens, usually around thirteen. In Nora's case, her abilities manifested around eighteen. They very rarely manifest that late, and when they do, It tends to be very dangerous. She, and the others around her were lucky to survive.

The glowing blue eyes are a symbol of Ma'sfet.  (Edit: Ma'sfet is the Goddess of Justice.)

Custodian (this game) is a story about Nora trying to come to terms with being Ma'sfet.

In my universe, there is an event called "The Enumeration Act" ongoing. (It'd be explained in full in the completed project) All Ma'sfet are being treated as though they're criminals serving a false god. Most who follow Ma'sfet are being carded, printed, and registered in the federal database as potential criminals. They're subjected to unlawful searches, and some arrested. Those who have abilities, are required to surrender themselves. The Enumeration Act is considered unconstitutional in this world, but it's taking a very long time to overturn it due to fearmongering in political circles. I won't say anymore due to spoilers.

Wrap Up:

I wanted to thank you once more for taking the time to enter my world. Your voice acting was amazing.

(Edit: Also, that scene at the end will  take place in the real world. She can't really show off her abilities in the game world, since they wouldn't somehow get transferred to it. At the time,  I didn't want to spoil Poppy's real life appearance, and now I regret it.)  The following is Poppy's IRL appearance. (Explains the boy with the ears, comment.)

(Edit 2: Also in regards to that 'someone making it look like she did something evil' Don't worry, she wasn't kicked out of the school due to being Ma'sfet. She completed school- her mandatory training, and rejected acceptance into the Custodian program. Professor Aldrich is very much the type of woman who protects her students. She wanted to train Nora so she could learn to use her abilities properly, and hide them due to the before mentioned Enumeration Act. Though she's also not the type to force someone to do something.) Anyways! No more spoilers. xD

I shall get down to uhm *clears throat* Brass Tacks, and make a large prototype. *ahem*

Yeah. I cannot recreate it. That's odd. I tried it with and without the weapons. I've downloaded it on four separate house computers and none of them can recreate the error. That's sooooo weird. 

Interesting. I play tested it several times before submitting it. Thanks! I'll take a look! 

Edit: I attempted to recreate the error and cannot. I did as you said; after speaking with poppy, I touched the crystal,  spoke to the professor, and then attempted to leave the area. Instead, I got the message (the one you're supposed too) saying that you must equip your weapon and armour before leaving.

Edit Edit: Was there anything else that happened? Are you sure about that order? I'm going to try a couple things and see what happens.

Welcome, Custodian.

Custodian is a Visual Novel with RPG Elements.

It takes place in two worlds.

• Straum, a major city in the 'Real World'. This is shown through classic Visual Novel style.

• Custodian, a popular MMORPG. This is shown through RPG Maker.

Inside Straum, you will be able to interact with your surroundings, work, attend classes, and even meet up with people you met in Custodian. (Not yet implemented)

Inside Custodian, you will be able to live out an adventure as an Aldrich Academy student, who is entering the Custodian Program. (Combat system incomplete)

Synopsis

After completing her mandatory training at Aldrich Academy, Nora has moved to Straum to begin medical school. While unpacking her belongings, she discovers a box left by her mother. Inside, she finds the video game called Custodian, and begins her journey into self discovery.

Try it here!

Characters:

Nora:

Poppy:

World Information:

Mandatory Training:

Due to the existence of Harbingers, humanity has been forced to create mandatory training colleges (MTC) across the world. When a person graduates High School, they're immediately applied to every MTC. At that point, each MTC will individually accept or decline an applicant based on athleticism, intelligence, and ability.

Aldrich Academy:

Aldrich Academy is the pinnacle of mandatory training. It accepts less than one percent of all applicants, and has a perfect standing among all nations. Aldrich Academy only accepts the best of the best.

This game takes place in the same world as the following project:

www.aldrichacademy.ca  (<- Art for linked project by @MakioKuta. I personally designed most of the art for the 'Custodian' project, should 'Custodian' ever be completed. I will request @MakioKuta to remake all art in her style.)

(The website and projects are still a work in progress)

Custodian:

The Custodian's are an elite task force founded by Aldrich Academy. They are committed to maintaining worldwide security, and are completely neutral in world standings. Whenever there's a Harbinger Parasite outbreak. The Custodian's are called in to resolve the situation.

Custodian (Video Game):

Due to the low rate of those actually selected to become a Custodian, a large gaming company created a "Custodian" MMORPG, where players could live out their fantasies of saving the world from Harbingers.

While some critics felt it was in bad taste. Custodian steadily grows as the worlds largest MMORPG.

Try it here!

That would require it being completed, right? xD

In my previous topic, I asked about using assets for a project that I was still in the planning phases for: https://aldrichacademy.ca/ while an answer was never completely given. I have come to accept that it's likely not allowed due to other people asking similar questions.

Here is my question...

Can I still do it anyways? 

I'd like to create this project, completely following the rules- (using my assets) but removing myself from the running in prize. Should I be considered for prize, I would step down. I truly believe that my project, Aldrich Academy, could be one of the next big, best games, and this would be a wonderful opportunity to advertise it. (I'm looking at you Degica)

With that said, can I (starting when the contest begins) create my project as though I were part of the contest (following the rules, but using my assets) and submit it when completed, but exclude myself from the prize?

I decided that I would not use my assets, or anything from this project. There is too much confusion amongst the community on which assets can, and cannot be used. While I do believe that my franchise Aldrich Academy IS the next best project. It wouldn't be fair at this point to use any of the assets. Should I enter the contest, I will do so with one of my many other game ideas. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. I will be awaiting your answer!

Hello,

I have been working on a project for several years. The project is incomplete, and not really going anywhere currently. I do not have a demo, and the progress has stalled due to frustration. When I saw this contest theme revealed, I thought, "Hey, this could be a good way to refresh my idea and start from the beginning." So I was wondering where I stood upon this in the rules. 

I'd be completely restarting. My current script is not completed, and while the project has been around for awhile- Is still in the planning phases. I have not completed a demo, nor have I completed how the opening would be set up. 

This leads to my questions:

Am I allowed to use the assets from this incomplete project, to create a prologue for this contest? 

Say that the assets are allowed, but the idea is not. I have a couple origin story ideas in mind. (They have not been started, or written at all. It'd be completely from scratch) could I use those origin story ideas instead? 

The website to my original concept can be found here:  https://aldrichacademy.ca/

Oh also! (Edit) Say that I'm not allowed to do this. My franchise that I was planning on creating, had all my characters as actually being actors. That way, I could reuse characters appearances and simply change clothes, personality, hairstyles, etc... to save on money. I have another game idea, with absolutely nothing written, and nothing planned. Would I be allowed to use my characters (I'd have to commission new clothes etc) with the completely new idea?

Edit Edit: Say that I cannot do this, can I still create and submit the prologue that I wanted to create for this anyways?