What qualifies as a "Pokemon Fan Game?"

[JK0JK]

Hi guys!
I have this project I've been working on for a while - a rom hack of Pokemon Emerald - and I've run into a bit of a dilemma.
My rom hack has nothing to do with pokemon, I don't intend on it, but my question is this: is a rom hack with no reference or mechanics remotely related to pokemon still a fangame?

In my case, I'm using Pokemon Emerald because it is a good base for GBA programming, as well as a thriving community that can help me with any technical problems I run into; I've never programmed for the GBA without using the Emerald decomps, and this project started when I didn't even know that existed!

The game itself is a fan game of another franchise - Five Nights at Freddy's - and is a recreation of its mingame sections, as well as a reinvention of the story as a whole.

So, again, is a rom hack with no reference or mechanics remotely related to pokemon still a fangame?

 

[Devalue]

Voted No. How can something be Pokemon-related without containing any Pokemon, monster-catching, or any kind of mechanic from Pokemon? Shares about as much with Mario Tennis as Pokemon.

 

[soulzzii]

unless you can fight freddy and capture it, its more a fangame of five nights at freddy thats made with an Emerald rom as a base. wouldnt really make sense to relate it to pokemon in this situation imo.

 

[virtualpet]

I'd say it's still a Pokemon rom hack just not a fangame.

 

[evanonline]

I'd say it's still a Pokemon rom hack just not a fangame.

Yeah, this is what I'd say too - interesting and related to Pokemon in that it is built off of a Pokemon game, but maybe not a "fan game". I'm no mod so don't take my word as gospel of course, but I think it would still be valid to post a thread for it in the Romhacks section when it's done? If that's what the question is about. (I'd ask a moderator directly though if that's your concern)