Degica have announced their Touch the Stars Game Jam for RPG Maker MZ, along with a free Steam week and sale.
Would-be developers are tasked with creating a game with the “Touch the Stars!” prompt, with cash prizes for the top three spots and the fan favorite. 1st place wins $1,000 USD, second $500 USD, and third and the fan favorite win $250 USD each.
The top three will also become RPG Maker MZ Sample Games, hosted on the RPGMakerWeb website, and Steam. Winners will also “retain full rights to their game in case they want to expand it into their own individual release (commercial or non-commercial).” Updates to the Game Jam version will also be pushed to all players.
Submissions close July 21st 11:59 p.m. PT. You can find the full rules and enter here.
To encourage entrants, not only are Degica offering the software for free until August 1st as a standalone version for the contest (via email submission here), but also a free week on Steam until June 28th. There is also a 30% sale should you decide to buy, until June 24th.
You can find the abridged rundown of the software (via Steam) below:
The RPG Maker Series’ Newest Offering: RPG Maker MZ
With new features and enhancements to older features, this RPG Maker is set to become the best RPG Maker to date!
Map Editor
With RPG Maker’s map editor, you can create maps easier than you can draw a picture. Pick the tiles you want to use, and “paint” them on to your maps. With powerful enhancements from the previous RPG Maker’s map editor, and a large collection of new tiles, you can build countless towns and dungeons for your players to explore!.● The Layer Function Returns!
An incredibly missed feature from RPG Maker XP returns with MZ! Map layer control has returned. You can now select which of the four map layers you are drawing onto, or leave it on Automatic to keep the behavior from MV. This gives you more control to make your maps look the way you want to, as well as speeding up the map creation process: No more having to redo an entire tile because you messed up one layer or want to change the base layer!● Map Trees can be Rearranged
You can now rearrange the Maps in the editor Map Tree even on the same tree level, making it easier than ever to organize your project for maximum efficiency.● Improved Image Save Function
When saving maps using the built in editor function, they now save pixel perfect, rather than being resized![/b]Character Generator
Not only can you use the included characters or import your own made completely from scratch, you can also create your own original characters using component pieces using the built in Character Generator! Combine hairs, eyes, clothes, accessories, and more. Recolor them to match your vision.● Adjust Component Positioning
You can now use the offset feature in the Character Generator to adjust the placement of generator pieces, giving you greater control over the look of your heroes, villains, and NPCs!● Add New Color Palettes
You can now go beyond the existing color palettes: add your own palettes for recoloring hair, clothes, and more!A Trove of Assets Included
From face graphics, character sprites, to map chips, character generator components, music, and sound effects, and more, RPG Maker MZ boasts the largest collection of assets out of the box than any RPG Maker in the series history![…]
Database
The database is where the heart of your RPG Maker game resides. Here you store the information defining your characters, their skills, equipment, classes, but also their foes! Also in the database will be where you define many things about your game, like the names of stats, what conditions your characters can be afflicted with, battle animations, and more.
● New Battle System Added!
With RPG Maker MZ, in addition to the front and side-view options that existed in previous RPG Makers, we’ve added a brand new option!
The Time Progress Battle System will unchain your game from traditional turns, allowing every character to act at their own speed based on their stats and conditions.
RPG Maker MZ is available on Windows PC, and Mac (both via Steam).
