Turn $1k into a $1M hit game!
In an era when films, games, and TV shows require millions of dollars and years-long timelines, Dorian creators just need a laptop and their creativity to make a game! You can turn your book, webcomic, or brainstorm idea into a game in a matter of hours!
Thanks to our democratized creation, individual 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 turn $1k into $1M Hit Games!
Pitch your game for a chance to win $1000 to create your dream dating sim!
Get your pitches reviewed by expert judges from Telltale Games and the BBC!
Join the Dorian Legends that are already making $1M games on Dorian!
The Dorian Legends Grant Program is your chance to bring your game idea to life and earn money while doing it. We’re offering $1,000 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. The program supports you through every stage—from pitch to launch and beyond—helping you turn your vision into a game that connects with fans and stands out in the interactive storytelling world.
Win $1000 to create your dream dating sim!
Join the Dorian Legends that are already making $1M games on Dorian!
The Dorian Legends Grant Program is your chance to bring your game idea to life and earn money while doing it. We’re offering $1,000 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. The program supports you through every stage—from pitch to launch and beyond—helping you turn your vision into a game that connects with fans and stands out in the interactive storytelling world.
Pitch
Step 1: Craft Your Pitch
Create or login to your Dorian Account
You can use our no-code game engine to create your pitch!
Use the Dorian Legends Pitch Template found on our website
The template contains instructions on how to create a pitch in story format.
Register for Art and Progression Memory Access
Adding custom art and memory variables to your game can help your pitch to stand out!
Submit your Pitch
Complete the required Typeform on our website, making sure to fill out all fields accurately. Double-check everything—once you submit, edits aren’t allowed!
Make sure your pitch includes...
A defined main character identity
At least three love interests
Core plot with a solvable problem through relationship progression
A one-line hook that sells your game’s unique appeal
Between 800-1000 words
One premium choice to invite fan support
Pitch
Step 2: Release Your Pitch
Publish your Pitch on Dorian!
Once you are ready, tap on the “Release in the app” button in episode view in the game engine!
Test your game in the Dorian app
Search for your game name on the Search screen, then play it in the app to see how it feels!
You can make as many edits as you like in the engine.
Spread the Word!
Let your friends, followers, and fans know! Getting fans to support you by playing, bookmarking, and spending hearts will help you compete for a position in the Grant Program.
Make sure you check the judging criteria to learn how you can max out the marketing and patronage scores
Create
Grant recipients create 3-episode pilots for their games
Claim your grant!
We’ll announce the winners of the grants on Oct 4, 2024. Winners will receive their first installment of $500 and start creating!
Publish your Pilot
Create three fantastic episodes with your mentor and release them on Dorian by Oct 25, 2024. Creators who successfully reach this step and publish an eligible pilot will receive the second installment of $500.
Grow
Creators test their game on a live audience
Grow your business!
Review your performance and edit your game to reach new highs! Qualifying games will get a bonus $500!
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!
Winning Criteria
Pitch Phase
Game Design Best Practices
Love Interest Quality (10 points)
Relationship System Quality (10 points)
Worldbuilding Quality (10 points)
Cohesive Concept Quality (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! Our judging criteria is intended to identify games that demonstrate best practices as defined by existing successful Dorian creators!
Meet the Judges!
Ryan Kaufman
Former Narrative Design Director at Telltale Games
“Interactive design is all about player agency. I’m excited to see which pitches show off choices that give the player real power to influence the narrative and how the relationships progress. Show me your most Telltale-worthy choices that will make your fans debate over which choice is the right path!”
Marina Mello
Global Director of Gaming & Interactive at BBC Studios
“Transmedia franchises have the power to connect with fans in a deep and powerful way. I’m excited to watch the growth of new franchises on Dorian, where gameplay, livestreams and cosplay come together to help independent creators engage their fans. I can’t wait to see what the participants of the first Dorian Legends challenge come up with!”
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Preparing your pitch
Your pitch is your chance to show both your existing fans and the fans on Dorian what kind of game you’d make with the grant money! Don’t worry about including final art here, you can use stock images, canva assets, sketches, and cosplay photos to communicate your vision!
[MONICA WILL ADD A HOW TO DESIGN A BEAUTIFUL PITCH HERE]
[WE WILL LINK AN EXAMPLE PITCH AND THE PITCH TEMPLATE HERE]
Setting yourself up for success
[insert introduction to Dorian Academy and links to getting started here]
Want to win? Don’t forget these tips!
You can take extra steps to help your pitch stand out! Here are some tips that can help you
Maximize your Marketability Score!
We already showed you how to generate a custom link to your game. Your pitch’s marketability will be based on how many players use this link to download Dorian and play your game. You can maximize this amount by:
Including this link in your linktree on your socials
Making it very clear how to find your link and why your fans should use it
Promoting your pitch on socials including using the “Link sticker” functionality in instagram stories
Check the “marketing” channel on the Dorian Discord for weekly recommendations from Dorian expert Shinorisu on how you can use trending TikTok strategies to bring fans!
You can promote as much as you want! We find it will often take approximately 4 posts to convert your fans!
Wondering how many fans you’ve brought? Check the leaderboard on the Dorian Discord to see the latest stats!
Maximize your Patronage Score!
Your patronage score relies on what % of players support your pitch with their hearts. Remember, you cannot change the number of hearts on the choices, but you can edit other elements as long as you comply with the required structure. That means if you notice your donation choice is capturing a low percentage of your fans, it’s a great time to change how you’re presenting it! If you’re looking for inspiration, you can look at how people are advertising their kickstarters to get fans to support them in advance!
Here are some techniques you could use!
Offer special perks for fans who prove they’ve supported you with hearts
Explain how the fans’ hearts will help you realize their vision (e.g. show them a partially painted, attractive CG, then tell them if you reach a certain heart goal on the donation you will be able to finish it and show it for free in the game!)
Wondering what % of your fans are spending? You can get a general idea by looking at your donation choice in the engine and seeing what % of fans have chosen the heart options!
FAQ
What is a Dorian Legend Grant?
Dorian is excited to fund financial grants to the highest scoring projects using the Dorian creation engine! 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, 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 pitch a game or property that already exists somewhere else?
Yes! As long as your pitch is on Dorian and you plan to use the funding money to create the game on Dorian, you can pitch a pre-existing property.
Can I pitch 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 pitch alongside creator teams!
Do I need to put art into my pitch?
You’re welcome to include any assets that comply with our community guidelines! You can use stock footage, cosplay photos, sketches or anything else that will help you communicate your vision!
How many pitches 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 September 27, 2024.
Does it matter if I submit earlier or later in the submission window?
While pitches will be accepted between 12:01 a.m. (PST) on Sep 5, 2024 and 11:59 p.m. (PST) on September 27, 2024, 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 pitch 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 on September 27, 2024.
What happens if I edit my pitch after the deadline?
You will be disqualified.
What can I do with my funding?
We ask that funds be used directly for the project or project-related expenses, such as art-development.
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?
Relationship System Quality: Is the relationship system designed in a way that will motivate fans to progress their relationships?
Worldbuilding Quality: Does the world feel intriguing without being overwhelming? Is there enough depth to maintain a long project?
Cohesive Concept Quality: Does the concept seem well suited to the dating sim structure? Is it easy to comprehend and become engaged?
When will I find out if I won?
Winners will be announced on October 4, 2024.
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 October 25?
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 October 4 - 25 to launch 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!
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