Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, I've received lots of requestions regarding the allowed use of game assets, technical problems, and revamped versions of the assets published here. Hence, I've decided to start an official FAQ page, where all those issues are cleared. If you have any additional questions or comments, please write me a comment anywhere on itch.io and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Additional documentation:  Terms of Service for Game Assets

Table of contents:

1. Questions related to the allowed use of game assets.

2. Questions related to technical problems.

3. Questions related to revamped / new versions of game assets.

4. Other questions.

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QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE ALLOWED USE OF GAME ASSETS:

1. Are assets that you're selling REALLY copyright safe? Are they legal?
2. Can these assets be used in paid games / visual novels?
3. Can these assets be used in games / visual novels labelled as NSFW/18+?
4. Can I edit these assets for my game / visual novel?
5. Can I use these assets in my game engine, or to make my own assets?
6. Can I use these assets in non-game projects, e.g. to make a comic, or a video?
7. Can I use these assets for NFT / crypto projects?
8. Do I need to credit you in my creative project?
9. Can I share these assets with others?

1. Are assets that you're selling REALLY copyright safe? Are they legal?

Yes! I am extremely serious about respecting copyrights. To make backgrounds from the classical series and GUI packs, I was using graphical stock and photos that was licensed as Free for Commercial Use Upon Significant Modification & No Attribution Required, or CC0 1.0. (Public Domain Dedication) or Public Domain, as starting base / materials to create background illustrations and interface elements which were later sold here. For backgrounds from the AI-made series, I'm using a paid software to generate images. All images generated belong to me, hence, I am free to modify them and subsequently sell them to you. Selling AI-art is legal and allowed by itch.io. Any comments despising my business based on AI-made art will be immediately removed and users leaving them will be blocked. I have neither time nor energy to deal with haters.

2. Can these assets be used in paid games / visual novels?

Yes. But this doesn't mean that all other commercial uses are allowed. Please make sure to read the Terms of Service for Game Assets to learn what's ok and what isn't.

3. Can these assets be used in games / visual novels labelled as NSFW/18+?

Yes, as long as the project isn't illegal/offensive. Please make sure to read the Terms of Service for Game Assets for more information.

4. Can I edit these assets for my game / visual novel? Resize, crop, recolor, paint over, etc.?

Yes! But keep in mind that the edited versions can't be sold or shared as assets, and that they can't be included into any game-making engines or apps. Please make sure to read the Terms of Service for Game Assets for more information.

5. Can I use these assets in my game engine, or to make my own assets?

No, this type of use is not allowed under any circumstances. Please make sure to read the Terms of Service for Game Assets for more information.

6. Can I use these assets in non-game projects, e.g. to make an artbook, bookmarks, comic, or a video?

Yes, but there are extra conditions. Please make sure to read the Terms of Service for Game Assets for more information.

7. Can I use these assets for NFT / crypto projects?

No, this type of use is not allowed under any circumstances. Please make sure to read the Terms of Service for Game Assets for more information.

8. Do I need to credit you in my creative project?

No, don't worry about this! Attribution is not required. Just don't claim that you've made these backgrounds (or are the sole proprietor), that's not allowed.

9. Can I share these assets with others?

No, this is not allowed under any circumstances. Please make sure to read the Terms of Service for Game Assets for more information.

QUESTIONS RELATED TO TECHNICAL PROBLEMS:

1. Why do you pack backgrounds into .rar archives? How to unpack them?
2. Which engine are your GUI packs designed for?

1. Why do you pack backgrounds into .rar archives? How to unpack them?

Backgrounds are packed to facilitate bulk download. You can unpack them with free software such as WinRar. But newer versions of Windows help you unpack .rar archives even without WinRar. Right click on the archive and choose "unpack to...". Make sure to choose a location that you can find. I also suggest to unpack directly to a folder that you've created earlier to avoid unpacking twenty images on your desktop.

2. Which engine are your GUI packs designed for?

I work with TyranoBuilder, so my GUI packs, are best programmed into that engine. I can't guarantee that they will work with other game-making software, but since all elements are PNGs/JPGs, you can give it a try.

QUESTIONS RELATED TO REVAMPED/NEW VERSIONS OF GAME ASSETS AND REQUESTS:

1. I wanted to buy an asset pack but it's gone from your catalogue, why?
2. Why do you remake old asset packs instead of just letting them be?
   
3. I've bought a background pack / GUI pack, a long time ago, and downloaded it. But recently, I saw that it was taken down and remade into a new version... Can I download the new version and use it in a new project without making extra payments? Or do I have to buy again?
4. I really need to re-download the old version of something! Can I?
5. I can't find backgrounds that I need in your catalogue. Can I request them?
6. Can you make backgrounds for my game only?
7. Will you inform me when the requested pack is ready?

1. I wanted to buy an asset pack but it's gone from your catalogue, why?

I've been creating game assets since 2019, and my technique improved a lot over time. For this reason, I sometimes unpublish old packs to remake them from scratch.

2.  Why do you remake old asset packs instead of just letting them be?

Because of quality. I've made over 1500+ game backgrounds in total and learned a lot in the process. Packs released now are light years ahead in quality compared to the old ones. I want creators to be able to mix and match backgrounds without worrying that the two they need have visibly different styles and that one's worse than the other. So, I've made the tough decision of removing classical and impressionist background packs and making new versions instead.

Regarding GUI packs, the situation is a bit different: those sets had lots of redundant elements that creators weren't going to use anyway (such as config screens and  buttons), and they didn't have elements that were needed instead (such as blank versions of buttons, or two versions of menu buttons for the title menu and in-game menu).

3. I've bought a background pack / GUI pack, a long time ago, and downloaded it. But recently, I saw that it was taken down and remade into a new version... Can I download the new version and use it in a new project without making extra payments? Or do I have to buy again?

You can download the new versions for free! 

4. I really need to re-download the old version of something! Can I?

Unfortunately, that's not possible. If a pack was removed for good, I won't restore it in the same version anymore. I keep working on providing best backgrounds possible, and this means improving my portfolio quite often, and replacing the old with the new. To avoid the upsetting situation where you've bought something that was later removed, and now can't download, make sure to download everything right after purchase. I can't guarantee that a particular pack (or set of packs) will hang on my portfolio forever. Like said earlier, a perfect portfolio with high quality stuff is my first priority. 

5. I can't find backgrounds that I need in your catalogue. Can I request them?

Yes, you can do so using Request a visual novel background or GUI pack. Please post in the main thread, don't create new posts especially for your request. It's easier for me to reply to everyone in just one thread.

6. Can you make backgrounds for my game only? 

I don't take personal requests for three reasons. First, I don't have a good payment system set in place yet.  Second, even though it looks like I can make really any background, I have limititations too. I do lots of general requests, and some requests are really problematic, even though they seem simple at the first glance. Often, I need to remake a pack three times to make sure that it looks good, and sometimes, I'm not happy with the final result even then.  Dealing with unhappy clients is something that makes me really nervous so, I'm not eager to take personal requests. And last but not least, prices for personal packs would need to be at least a few times more expensive, for the commission to be profitable for me. Right now, my income comes mostly from repeated sales, not singular ones. If I spent 5 hours making a pack that later earns 150$, it's profitable. But if I spend 5 hours making a pack that earns me 10$, it's not profitable.

7. Will you inform me when the requested pack is ready?

I don't update creators about the release of packs requested, as there are really lots of requests and comments, and answering everybody takes a lot of time. For this reason, it's crucial that you follow my profile after having your request accepted, and that you regularly check new releases, as well as the whole catalogue, to make sure you don't miss it. 

OTHER QUESTIONS (MORE OR LESS PERSONAL):

1. How likely is it that another person makes a game with the same pack that I want to buy?
2. Are you planning to ever use these packs yourself?
3. Are there any rules regarding the timing of the sales?
4. Why was my comment removed? Why was I blocked?

1. How likely is it that another person makes a game with the same pack that I want to buy?

There's always such a possibility, because anyone can buy these packs. If you want a pack that hasn't sold too many copies, I suggest buying the newest ones. You can check the release date (and the ratings) by clicking "More Information" beneath the purchase buttons.

2. Are you planning to ever use these packs yourself?

Sometimes, I am tempted to, hahaha. But no, packs that are listed here for sale are all for you. I'm not going to use them for my projects. I'll make new ones, tailored specifically to my own project.

3. Are there any rules regarding the timing of the sales?

I try to make bigger sales around important dates (e.g. Christmas, Easter, First Day of Summer, etc.), and smaller sales by the end of the month. Additionally, I strive to make occasional sales for the less popular packs each month. 

4. Why was my comment removed? Why was I blocked?

Reason 1: You were impolite. I have neither time nor patience to deal with rude, unfair comments. If you have a problem with AI art, my shop isn't your place to be in. 

Reason 2: You bought backgrounds and you've returned them. I auto-block users who do so to prevent situations where someone buys my backgrounds over and over again, and tries to return them again. So please, make mindful purchases!!!

Reason 3: You did something that otherwise harmed my asset shop. Please note that any fradulent activity meant to undermine me will be immediately reported to itch.io.