Apply for access to upload your own art and add a points system to your game.
Turn $1k into a $1M hit game!
Make a demo for a chance to win up to $1500 to launch a commercial hit game!
Dorian creators use their passion and unique understanding of fandom to create dream projects that outperform professional game studios! That’s why we’re investing in these soon-to-be industry game industry “legends” to help them create million dollar games!
On this page…
Join the Dorian Legends already making $1M on Dorian!
We’re offering up to $1,500 in grants to creators who can craft compelling, immersive experiences.
If you’ve got a unique game concept with engaging characters and a strong hook…
This is your moment.
Create a hit dating sim!
This program offers creators access Dorian’s expert guidance & financial support to launch a successful dating sim.
Submit your demo for a chance for…
Up to $1500 Cash!
To invest in making dream game a $1M success!
Feedback from games industry experts
From Telltale Games, BBC and more.
Marketing for your game
From Dorian’s expert team
Meet our panel of expert judges
[FILL IN JUDGES]
Marina Mello
Global Director of Gaming & Interactive at BBC Studios
Ryan Kaufman
Ex Narrative Design Director at Telltale Games
Ioana Muresan
Webcomic creator with 135K Webtoon subscribers and 150k TikTok followers.
Tori
Otome & dating sim reviewer with a community of 17K TikTok fans
When are demos due?
Pitches will be accepted through Jan 8, 2025. And the first grant recipients will be announced on January 21.
How do I create my demo?
It’s easy! You can create your demo right in Dorian’s no-code game engine. Just follow the steps below.
Create or login to your Dorian Account
You can use our no-code game engine to create your demo!
Use the Dorian Legends Demo Template found on our website
The template contains instructions on how to create a demo. Make sure you read the official rules!
Get access to required creator features
Complete the form to get the ability to upload your own art into our no-code engine. This is required for your demo. You will also get the ability to add a point system to your game.
Publish your demo on Dorian and share with your friends & followers!
Getting fans to support you by playing, bookmarking, and spending hearts will help your demo!
Demos will be judged on…
Dorian Panel
Love Interest Quality (10 points)
Dorian Tools Quality (10 points)
Clear & High Stakes Quality (10 points)
Cohesive Concept Quality (10 points)
Professionalism (10 Points)
Judges’ Panel
Love Interest Quality (10 points)
Dorian Tools Quality (10 points)
Clear & High Stakes Quality (10 points)
Cohesive Concept Quality (10 points)
Professionalism (10 Points)
Marketability
How interested are potential fans in playing your game? The more players that download Dorian to play your game using your direct link to the game, the higher your score (for a max of 50 points)!
Patronage
What percentage of the players who view your pitch support it with hearts? You’ll get 1 point for every percentage point up to 50 points. For example, if 10% of players pay, you would get 10 points.
Our goal is to help you to become a Dorian Legend: a creator who can make a living from your games on Dorian! The judging criteria is intended to identify games that demonstrate Dorian’s best practices and have proven their ability to be commercially successful!
Winning demos will receive $500 to create a 3-episode pilot of their game
Creators with winning demos will work with a mentor to create three fantastic episodes of their game.
Mentorship will include individualized feedback on a detailed checklist of Dorian’s best practices.
On Mar 7, pilots will be completed!
Pilots will be judged based on checklist adherence for an opportunity to be Featured Pilots.
Commercially written pilots will receive $500 to launch their game!
Featured Pilots will launch with shelf space and an additional month of guidance
If selected as a Featured Pilot at the end of Round 1, you’ll receive $500, limited promotion from Dorian, and an additional month of mentorship to begin interpreting your data and iterating towards success.
Pilot data will be monitored for a month, when you’ll go through a final performance analysis to qualify for the last grant.
High performing pilots will receive an additional $500 to jumpstart their business!
Ready to turn your ideas into reality?
Join the Dorian Legends Grant Program and take your shot at creating the next great interactive romance game!
Creators with high- performing pilots will earn an additional $500
By testing your game on a live audience and gaining insight from data reviews with your mentor, you’ll review your performance and edit your game to reach new highs! At the end of round 2, your game will be tested against performance metrics, and qualifying games will receive the last potential third of the grant.
How to set yourself up for success
Check out these added resources to help you create the perfect pitch
Demo Example
Play a sample demo created in Dorian’s no-code engine to see how it works!
No need for guess work! We’ve put together our tips on what makes a great demo on our Dorian Academy site.
You can also find loads of additional videos and articles on how to create great interactive fiction!
Need art to bring your story to life?
No problem! We’ve curated a gallery of featured artists who can be hired to draw your dream characters.
You can browse the gallery and reach out to artists directly for their help bringing your vision to life.
FAQ
What is a Dorian Legend Grant?
Dorian is excited to provide financial grants to the highest scoring created and released on Dorian! These grants come in $500 installments and are released according to qualification gates. You can learn about the winning criteria and other gates in the official rules.
What kind of creator is best for a Dorian Legend Grant?
The Dorian Legend Grant is available for any creators that are eligible according to our rules! Whether you’re a webcomic creator who wants to explore interactive format, a novelist who wants to bring the characters to life with art, or any type of creator who is interested in turning their creative vision into a game business, the Dorian Legends Grant can help you get there!
Can I submit a demo for a property that already exists somewhere else?
Yes! As long as your property is new to Dorian and you plan to use the grant money to create a new game on Dorian, you can pitch a pre-existing IP.
Can I submit a demo for a fanfiction property?
Your game pitch is eligible as long as it follows our community guidelines.
Do I need to have a team to submit?
No! Solo creators are welcome to submit alongside creator teams!
Do I need to put art into my demo?
You’re welcome to include any assets that comply with our community guidelines! We do not allow pitches that use Dorian’s built-in character creator; we’ve found it doesn’t do a good job of communicating a game’s future promise to judges. You can use stock footage, cosplay photos, sketches or anything else that will help you communicate your vision!
How many demos can I submit?
You can submit as many as you like but we recommend focusing on your best ideas! You can only win once.
Is there a deadline for submission?
Pitches must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 8, 2025.
Does it matter if I submit earlier or later in the submission window?
While pitches will be accepted between 06:00 a.m. (PST) on Dec 5, 2024 and 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 8, 2025, we recommend you submit your pitch as early as possible! Submitting earlier will give you more time to bring your fans to increase your marketability score!
Can I edit my demo after publishing?
You can edit your pitch anytime during the submission window! Just remember you need to comply with the structural requirements of the pitch. The judges will review whatever version is live on the cutoff at 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 8, 2025. The submissions cannot be edited after the cutoff.
What happens if I edit my demo after the deadline?
Your submission will be disqualified.
What can I do with my funding?
Funds are intended to be used directly for the project or project-related expenses, such as art creation.
How is my pitch evaluated by the judges?
Judges will evaluate each project according to defined criteria:
Love Interest Quality: Are the love interests well written & compelling? Would people want to romance them?
Dorian Tools Quality: Are tools like the relationship system, premium choices, & timeline used in a way that will motivate fans to play the game?
Clear & High Stakes Quality: Does the world & plot feel compelling without being overwhelming? Can this game be pitched in a short sentence?
Cohesive Concept Quality: Does the concept seem well suited to the dating sim structure? Is it easy to comprehend and become engaged?
Professionalism Quality: Does the demo contain a business plan and a plan for final art? The demo does not need final art, but it should be clear what artist you intend to commission, or reference an example of the art quality of the finished product. Is the art style professional and alluring?
When will I find out if I won?
Winners will be announced on January 21, 2025.
What are the expectations of me if I win?
If you receive the first installment of the grant to make your pilot, you will be expected to complete all Launch & Marketing Requirements included in the Official Rules. Accepting the grant requires acceptance of these terms. You will also need to attend weekly meetings with your mentor.
Can I publish my pilot before Mar 7?
Yes! You are welcome to publish as soon as you are ready.
Should I start creating my pilot before finding out if I win?
This would be a very smart idea! Creators will have from Jan 21 - Mar 5 to create their pilots, which means any advance work you do will help you get ahead of schedule. Just make sure you read our guides on creation so you set yourself up for success!