Uneven Dream Development Guidelines
Last updated 2020/12/16

(1) Developing Content
       a. Uneven Dream uses the latest version of RPG Maker 2003 (currently 1.12a), which includes features that are not 
        present or only partially present in RPG Maker 2000 or the fanmade translations of RPG Maker 2003 (Most 
        commonly 1.08). Obtaining the updated version of RPGM2003 is greatly recommended for development if not 
        required.
        RPG Maker 2003 can be purchased through Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/362870) or directly 
        through the RPG Maker site (https://www.rpgmakerweb.com/products/programs/rpg-maker-2003)

        b. Kubotsuki (the male character, associated with the purple symbol) generally has dark and foreboding dreams 
        while Totsutsuki (the female character, associated with the yellow symbol) generally has bright and friendly dreams. 
        While this positivity-negativity (or static-dynamic) relationship between the protagonists is important, subverting this 
        dynamic through occasional cheery/calm areas for Kubotsuki or tense/confusing areas for Totsutsuki are allowed 
        and encouraged in moderation.

        c. "Horror" elements, including depiction of blood and violence, is allowed in moderation. These elements will be 
        reviewed by moderators on a case-by-case basis. Suggestive or "work-unsafe" themes are not allowed for either 
        protagonist.

        d. Map space is reserved for creators in units of 10 by request. Please try to make the most of every map file in a 
        patch (e.g. multiple rooms of an area being stored next to each other in one large map.)

        e. Copied, modified or transcribed materials from other developers' fangames without explicit permission will not be 
        accepted in a submission.

.       f. Compression of submission files (especially WAV/music files) is encouraged. This can be done both through music 
        design (keeping music down to loops of a few bars) and file mastering (Audacity is capable of lowering the bitrate of 
        music files in such a way that can compress filesizes with minimal audible change. If your file has a bitrate of 
        44100Hz, converting to ~32000Hz can help compress the filesize.) Also note that MP3 files can save space at the cost 
        of not looping correctly.

(2) Uploading Content
        Submissions may be uploaded in the #workshop channel on the UD Discord, either directly (if the file(s) are 
        around 8MB) or through a link to a file uploading site (e.g. MEGA or Mediafire in case of larger files.)

(3) Developing in a Collaborative Environment
        a. The developer has full ownership of their locations and files. The moderation team is able to make or suggest 
        changes to the maps in a way that improves the map and is agreed upon by the original creator (such as bugfixes, music 
        modifications, combining maps to save space, etc.) The goal is an enjoyable experience that holds the creators' 
        artistic vision while also being optimized and flexible for further development.

        b. Though this is an international project, our primary language among developers and the ingame language is English. 
        Intermediate knowledge of the English language is highly recommended for active development and contact with the 
        UD team. Having an interpreter assist in translating messages is welcome, and machine translation can be inaccurate 
        but also generally helpful in multiple cases.

        c. Due to how the collaborative development process works, there may oftentimes be submissions with conflicting 
        map IDs, variable usage, chipsets and other technical parts of maps. To combat this, have created a "queue" system of 
        blank maps and database space for prospective developers. The #checklist channel contains a comprehensive list of 
        resources being reserved for in-progress updates, along with a development patch containing the empty map files and 
        modified database, and can be modified and added to upon request.

        d. Please let the development team know which materials of yours you would like to be kept exclusively for your 
        maps/events, or which materials you give permission to be used openly across future submissions. Unused files 
        (music, sounds, etc) are typically presumed as free-use by the development team, so speaking up about which 
        materials of yours you want reserved is important.

.       e. Use of free-use materials from the Internet (field recordings, photographs, free-use graphics) should include 
        links/credit to the original uploader/artist. This information is valuable to us even if the materials do not technically 
        require permission.

        f. Please let us know if you no longer plan to be an active developer for Uneven Dream.