Hello Episode Authors,
In honor of the launch of Episode XOXO on AppleArcade, we’d like to celebrate all things gaming & YOU. We’re kicking off with a special contest to find our next Episode XOXO story.
The theme is Gaming!
Contest Intro
How can gaming and romance mix? You tell us! Is your MC an esports legend who falls for their team’s arch nemesis? Or maybe they fall into their favorite game and have to find their way out only to think maybe the main character is worth staying for?
Entry Requirements
Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. You may not enter the contest if you are less than 18 years old when the submission window ends. This contest is open to the global Episode Creator community.
Prizes and Winners
There will be a single winning story for this contest instead of our usual winner’s shelf in the app. The winning story will be offered a contract for $15,000 USD to sell the story rights to Episode. They will also be given the opportunity to continue writing the winning story in the Episode Commissions Program.
Story Entry Requirements
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Your story must have “Gaming” in the title. Stories without “Gaming:” in the title will be disqualified. While not required for entry it is strongly recommended that you format your title like this - “Gaming: TITLE HERE.” This will help readers search for your story and identify it as a contest entry.
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Your story can be in any genre.
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The main character and any love interest(s) must be introduced in the first episode.
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You must write in the Cinematic (full-body, animated) Style.
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We love to see diverse characters in your stories! For example, characters who are people of color, non-heteronormative, or are of varying religions and socioeconomic backgrounds, just to name a few!
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You may NOT use or re-title a previously published story. This must be a new, original work not previously been published to Episode or other platforms. Sequels, prequels, spin-offs, etc. are also not allowed.
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If you are an official Episode Director or Writer, you may enter the contest, but only with original work created outside the scope of your contract with us.
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This is for a special new project, so the content guidelines are going to be a little different. You can still use our usual content guidelines to help, but we are specifically looking for story content that is more Family Friendly or closer to a PG or G rating. As always, stories which do not follow or which violate our Content Guidelines may be disqualified and/or have their story removed from the app. If you have any doubts or questions about whether elements or themes of your story fit within the content guidelines for this contest please contact the Episode Review team here. Please be aware that our team will not answer any questions regarding specific plot points and whether they meet the requirements of the contest.
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There is a length requirement for this contest. You need to have 3 completed chapters published by the entry deadline. Your story must be a longer form story, 8-12 chapters in total. You CAN publish new chapters during the judging period; however, you may not substantially alter or change your (first) 3 published chapters after the deadline (other than to make minor corrections).
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Gem choices of ANY kind are NOT ALLOWED in stories for this contest. Please see the New Contest Prize section for more information. This includes Support the Author choices, topping up points, etc. NO GEM CHOICES.
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You are strongly encouraged to use mini games, points systems, etc.
Entering the Contest
- You must completely fill out this Google form to enter. In the event that you send the wrong link or make a mistake on your entry form, please send your story title, email address and the correct link in a support ticket, so we can update your entry.
- Submissions for this contest are different from our regular contests so please read carefully. Your story must be published no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, January 31st, 2023. To find out what time that is in your time zone, go here!
- Remember to allow at least 3 business days prior to the contest deadline for your backgrounds, overlays and story cards to be reviewed. This means you should plan on submitting them no later than Thursday, January 26th, 2023. You may not add, change or modify story cards, backgrounds, or overlays after the entry deadline until the winner is announced.
Editing During the Contest Period
Fixing typos and errors are allowed after the deadline for contest entries. This includes things like character or speech bubble placement, spelling / grammatical errors or typos. You may not: add options to your CC, change or update your cover art, change your story’s genre, add to, edit or change your story description, add additional scenes, choices, dialogue, backgrounds or overlays. When in doubt, ask Support before making any changes. Once the winner’s shelf has been made public you are free to make changes or updates to your story.
Determining Winners
Because this is a new kind of contest, the winners will be selected in a new way, so please read carefully.
This contest will have only one winning story.
Instead of our usual winner’s shelf in the app, this contest will go a bit differently. In the first half of February, qualifying entrants will be featured on a shelf within the app. While on the shelf stories will collect reads and Episode will look at the data for these stories.
The winner will be picked by a panel of Episode Story Staff. We will continue to use the rubric score, reader engagement, and fit to contest themes as factors in selecting winners. However it will be the panel themselves that makes the final call.
Contest Winner
The winning story from this contest will be featured exclusively in Episode XOXO on Apple Arcade in 2023 and get a shoutout on our social media account! The winner will be announced sometime in the Spring of 2023.
Our special prize winner will be contacted separately by the Episode team to discuss further details of their win!
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I’ll wait for a normal contest.
Will there ever be a contest for people who are under 18 as well again?