Theme: WINGS

The theme of this year’s jam is “Wings,” symbolizing freedom, dreams, transformation, and escape. Wings represent the ability to rise above everyday problems and experience true freedom. Participants are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively, whether as a literal element or a metaphorical concept in their narratives.

Rules and Guidelines

Content Requirements:

• Original Script: The story must be entirely written during the jam period.
• Tools and Libraries: Participants can use any tools or libraries to create their game. Pre-existing code or third-party assets can be used, provided they are properly licensed and credited.
• AI-Generated Content: The use of artificial intelligence or neural networks to generate content is strictly prohibited.
• License Compliance: All assets used must be legally permitted for use, with proper licensing and attribution.
• Language: The game must be in Ukrainian.
• Legal Content: The novel must not contain racist or illegal content and must comply with Ukrainian law.

Technical Requirements:

• Platforms: The game must run on Windows 10 or 11 in .exe format or in a browser. Support for other platforms is optional.
• File Size: The game archive should not exceed 1024 MB.
• Game Type: The submitted game must be a visual novel and adhere to the competition’s theme.

Organizational Guidelines:

• Judging Requirement: Participants must evaluate at least 10 visual novels from the jam.
• Hiring: Hiring individuals for the jam in exchange for money is not allowed.
• Disqualification: Rule violations can lead to disqualification at the organizer’s discretion.

Evaluation and Prizes

The evaluation will be conducted based on various criteria, including text, sound, visuals, concept, execution, and adherence to the theme. The main category is “Overall Impression,” which considers all other criteria.

Prizes:

• Impressive Visual Novel: The top 5 entries in the “Overall Impression” category will receive 5000 hryvnia each.
• Ideal Visual Novel: The visual novel with the highest overall score, featuring entirely original graphics and music, will receive an additional 5000 hryvnia.
• Promising Project: Organizers will select one or more projects based on commercial potential, visual style, and emotional impact. These projects will receive 5000 hryvnia each and an offer for further development and translation into English.

Additionally, for each completed game that meets the jam’s rules and conditions, the organizer will donate 1000 hryvnia to the “Come Back Alive” fund, supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Official Website: Ukrainian Visual Novel Jam #5

Topping the list is Helldivers 2, developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. This shoot ’em up game has clearly struck a chord with players, becoming the best-selling game of the year so far. Its blend of chaotic gameplay, co-op multiplayer, and humorous elements has proven to be a winning formula.

Following closely is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision Blizzard. The Call of Duty franchise continues to dominate the first-person shooter genre, with the latest installment drawing in both longtime fans and new players alike.

Dragon’s Dogma II, developed and published by Capcom, takes the third spot. This action role-playing game offers an immersive open-world experience and innovative gameplay mechanics, making it a standout title of the year.

Sports enthusiasts have also made their presence felt in the gaming charts. MLB The Show 24, developed by San Diego Studio and published by MLBAM and Sony Interactive Entertainment, is the highest-selling sports game of the year so far. Similarly, WWE 2K24 by Visual Concepts and Take-Two Interactive, and Madden NFL 24 by EA Orlando and Electronic Arts, have also made it to the top ten list.

The role-playing genre is well-represented too, with Elden Ring by FromSoftware and Bandai Namco, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth by Square Enix Creative Business Unit I and Square Enix, both featuring in the top ten. These games offer vast, intricate worlds and complex narratives that have resonated with players.

Fighting game fans have propelled Tekken 8, developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Arika, and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, into the charts. Lastly, Hogwarts Legacy, developed by Avalanche Software and published by Warner Bros. Games, has also been a significant commercial success, offering a unique role-playing experience set in the Harry Potter universe.

The diversity of games in this list underscores the wide range of tastes and preferences within the gaming community. As we move through the rest of 2024, it will be interesting to see which games continue to dominate and what new titles emerge as bestsellers.

Source: Wikipedia

1. Hogwarts Legacy (Avalanche Software, Warner Bros. Games) Hogwarts Legacy took the gaming world by storm, offering players the chance to experience life as a student at Hogwarts in the 1800s. Its immersive open world, engaging story, and impressive gameplay mechanics captured the hearts of gamers, propelling it to the top spot.
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (Sledgehammer Games, Activision Blizzard) Despite losing the top spot, the Call of Duty franchise maintained its dominance as the best-selling video game series in the U.S. for the 15th consecutive year. Modern Warfare III delivered the intense, fast-paced action fans have come to expect.
3. Madden NFL 24 (EA Orlando, Electronic Arts) The latest iteration of the iconic football series continued its strong performance, securing the third spot on the list.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment) The web-slinging adventure of Spider-Man 2, with its engaging narrative and thrilling gameplay, swung its way into the fourth position.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo EPD, Nintendo) Despite only physical sales being counted, the highly anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild managed to secure the fifth spot. Its true ranking might be higher if digital sales were included.
6. Diablo IV (Blizzard Entertainment, Activision Blizzard) Diablo IV, another powerhouse from Activision Blizzard, claimed the sixth spot. However, its ranking might be understated as Battle.net sales were not included.

The remaining top 10 featured Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Mortal Kombat 1, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and EA Sports FC 24, showcasing a diverse range of genres and franchises.

2023 marked a significant shift in the video game landscape, demonstrating that beloved franchises can be challenged by innovative newcomers. As we look ahead, we can only imagine what surprises the coming years will bring.

Source: Wikipedia

Structure and Gameplay

Visual novels are characterized by their minimal gameplay, with players primarily clicking to advance text, graphics, and sound. The narrative is typically conveyed through prose, making the experience akin to reading a book. Most visual novels feature multiple storylines and endings, achieved through decision-making points where players choose different paths that lead to various outcomes. This non-linear structure offers players the freedom to explore different aspects of the story, similar to a choose-your-own-adventure novel but with enhanced depth and complexity.

Some visual novels incorporate additional interactive elements beyond simple decision points. For example, “Symphonic Rain” requires players to perform musical tasks to advance the story. These elements are usually integrated as plot devices, adding to the game’s uniqueness.

Kinetic Novels and RPG Hybrids

A subset of visual novels, known as “kinetic novels,” features non-branching plots, functioning more like traditional novels or graphic novels in multimedia form. Examples include “Higurashi When They Cry” and “Muv-Luv Alternative.”

Additionally, role-playing games (RPGs) sometimes include visual novel elements. Notable examples are “Lost Odyssey” and the “Sakura Wars” series. These games integrate tactical gameplay with visual novel storytelling, offering a more interactive and immersive experience.

Narrative and Style

Visual novels typically use first-person narration and present events from a single character’s perspective. Graphics usually consist of generic backgrounds with character sprites superimposed, while key scenes are depicted with special event CGs. Live-action stills or video footage can also be used, as seen in Sound Novel games like “Machi” and “428: Shibuya Scramble.”

The use of morality systems is common in visual novels, encouraging players to explore various outcomes and making choices that affect the story and character relationships. This adds depth to the narrative and enhances replayability.

History and Influence

The history of visual novels can be traced back to “The Portopia Serial Murder Case” (1983), which introduced non-linear elements and a branching dialogue system. Over the years, visual novels have evolved to include more complex storytelling and interactive elements. “YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World” (1996) significantly influenced the industry with its Automatic Diverge Mapping System (ADMS) and elaborate plotlines.

In conclusion, visual novels represent a unique and engaging form of digital storytelling, combining interactive elements with rich narratives to create immersive experiences for players. Their influence extends beyond Japan, with many popular anime series and video games owing their success to the visual novel genre.

Source: Wikipedia