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Important Changes to Fan Game Submissions
Thank you all for being a part of ROM Hacks Showcase! As you know, this section showcases hacks, and for the longest time, has mainly focussed on complete hacks. With three sections to maintain, there's a bit of upkeep, but there's also a lot of confusion between game developers and our members. In the past few weeks, you'll likely have noticed us trying some different approaches to ROM Hacks Showcase, and we'll continue doing so and responding to feedback to make sure we have this right.Trialling new changes for submissions
You'll have noticed some hacks that don't fit the mould for ROM Hacks Showcase, as going forward, the existing Progressing ROM Hacks and Sideshow Showcases will be merged. The ROM Hacks Showcase sections also now have tags enabled, so you'll be able to tag your hack and categorise it as you'd like — stick tags like beta, fakemon, remake, fakemon, etc.Trial submission requirements for submissions in ROM Hacks Showcase
Hacks submitted with a full-game or improvements-hack tag must have a download available.
These downloads must be direct download links, attachments, or pages via other websites (file sharing websites are allowed) that do not require a user signup to download the game. Links may not be gated behind a paywall or ad monetisation platform. We also recommend that hacks with a download available are tagged with a downloadable tag to make it easy for users to find a great hack to play right away!
Screenshots will be required for full-game and in-progress submissions.
For in-progress games, this requirement is six screenshots, and for full, nearly-complete games, this requirement is twelve screenshots. As with Sideshow Showcase, games tagged with improvements-hack will not be required to supply screenshots.
Monetisation is not permitted in any fan games listed on PokéCommunity.
You are not permitted to monetize your game in any way. This includes microtransactions, linking to donation platforms such as PayPal, Ko-Fi, Kickstarter, and any other platform that allows you to make money. Any attempt to monetize your game will be promptly removed and your account may be actioned.
Indicating progress for your submission
With the sections now being open to any hack, you'll need to add a tag to your submission to indicate to us what your game is. At the present time, we'll also add missing tags where required.Note that depending on the status of your game, you'll need to ensure your game meets the new section requirements above.
Here's what tag you'll need to add to your game for submissions:
- ROM Hacks that are complete will be tagged with full-game and complete.
- ROM Hacks that are in a beta period but meet the ROM Hacks Showcase requirement of 80% completion can be marked with full-game. If the hack in question is a Sideshow hack, it can be tagged with improvements-hack instead of full-game.
- If the game isn't complete, you can opt to use tags like alpha, beta, etc. This will be left entirely up to you.
- Progressing ROM Hacks games can now be submitted in ROM Hacks Showcase under the in-development tag.
- Games that previously qualified in the Sideshow Showcase sections can be tagged as improvements-hacks.
Ensure hacks with a download available are tagged with a downloadable tag.
We hope to make it easier to select the appropriate tags in future to make this process easier.
Expedited and pre-arranged approvals
While it should remain expected that a hack will take up to 48 hours before it is approved, we'll now accept expedited requests via messages for a submission. These requests must contain a reason — for example, your hack might be aiming for a release by a certain day, or be lined up for a particular holiday. You may pre-arrange a submission by contacting one of our ROM Hacking moderators, or submit a hack and immediately after, contacting a moderator to get your hack approved. Note that while we endeavour to approve all hacks as quickly as possible, expedited requests will be ignored if a legitimate reason is not provided.You may also pre-arrange an approval up to a month in advance by sending a message to one of our moderators, but please be aware these will only be accepted from fan game developers with a high profile — for example, your hack might have trailer with several thousands of views, or you're an active participant in the Fan Games community and you've released plenty of games prior. You will be required to supply evidence for a pre-arranged approval. Our team will endeavour to ensure your fan game is published on time.
Feedback and contact
As always, get in touch with a ROM Hacking moderator if you need assistance with getting your hack submitted.We'd love to hear your feedback regarding these changes. If you have any feedback about these changes to our submission guidelines, contact a moderator (view our staff list in the Fan Games section) or simply leave a reply in this thread!
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