FAQ for Visual Novels and Printable Oracle Decks

Welcome to the Hasalynx Games' Frequently Asked Questions Section!

List of all questions answered below:

• Why are all games paid?
• Why were the demos discontinued?
• Why won't you list future games on Kickstarter?
• Why are games marked as 18+ if they don't have explicit adult content?
• Will these games work on Mac or Linux? Or on my phone?
• How to install the games, and launch them?
• Your game flared up my Avast!
• Will the games be ever released on Steam?
• Help! I bought something that was removed!
• Why was the rating section disabled?
• Why was my comment removed?
• Why was I blocked?
• Are your games that you're selling respecting copyrights?
• Are you using AI content in your games?
• Are these games made by AI? Why are you charging for them?
• Isn't (title) by (famous old author)? / Are you using public domain works in your games?
• Why are you using public domain works?
• Do your games use any copyrighted works by modern authors / pen names?
• I saw your game updated to (website link). Can I buy it there?
• Can I review your games for (website link)?
• Can I record a gameplay for my Youtube channel?
• Can I return the game that I have bought?
• How can I contact you?
• How can I report a bug?
• Can I print more than just one copy of the deck?
• Can I take photos of the cards for my blog?
• Can I record a reading with those cards for my YouTube channel? And monetize the video?
• Can I use the cards in other creative projects?
• Can I use these cards to make a fortune-telling app for my website?
• Can I return the printable card deck that I have bought?

Why are all games paid?

We understand that there are many talented creators on itch.io who offer their games for free. As an indie start-up, we face financial constraints that make it challenging for us to follow the same model. Developing games requires significant investments of time, effort, and money. While we strive to deliver high-quality games, we have limitations on what we can offer for free.

Why were the demos discontinued?

We made the decision to discontinue offering demos because we found that people were downloading demos without purchasing the full versions. It's important to remember that our team relies on game sales to sustain themselves. 

While we do acknowledge that not everyone may be able to afford the full versions of our games, it is a fact that they have always been priced affordably, often equivalent to the cost of a cup of coffee.

Why won't you list future games on Kickstarter?

Launching a successful campaign on Kickstarter can be challenging. It requires time to build a supporter base, and donations are subject to different tax regulations. Additionally, unforeseen circumstances may arise, leading a studio to either abandon a project or make changes for various reasons. We would prefer not to let our supporters down in this way. Therefore, we choose to sell the games we have already developed rather than offering them for free.

Why are some games marked as 18+ if they don't have explicit adult content?

Some scenarios are derived from short stories, novels, and novellas that may include adult content. To ensure clarity, we choose to label all games as 18+ as a precaution.

Will these games work on Mac or Linux? Or on my phone?

Our games are currently exclusively available for PC Windows. They won’t work on Mac, Linux or phones. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

How to install the games, and launch them?

After purchase, you will find that the games are packaged in .rar archives. To extract a .rar archive, you will need WinRAR, a free software for extracting archives.

Once you have WinRar, right click on the archive and choose "Unpack here..." After unpacking, click twice on the folder. After opening it, you'll see another folder, and a list of files. Please find the .exe file with the game's icon, and click on it twice to launch the game. Make sure not to move the .exe file out of the folder, as then, the game won't work!

Tip: As you play, new files might appear in the folder, since the game writes down your progress. To save your game, though, you must make a save through the game's main menu.

Your game flared up my Avast!

Unfortunately, games exported from TyranoBuilder Visual Novel Engine, may flare up Avast. We don't know why this happens, but can guarantee that the original versions of our games (the ones you're buying on this itch.io shop) are safe and free from viruses. We take the safety of our players very seriously.

Will the games be ever released on Steam?

Most likely not. After carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages, we have chosen to remain exclusive to itch.io. One significant factor in our decision to not release on Steam is the notably high publishing costs and the inability to have troll feedback removed from the page. 

Help! I bought something that was removed!

If you have purchased something that has been removed, please note that it is your responsibility to download it within two weeks of purchase. We cannot guarantee that the same games will always be available, as occasionally we may take them down. Hasalynx Games retains the right to remove its projects when necessary.

Why was the rating section disabled?

The decision to disable the rating section was made to proactively prevent potential abuse. In today's internet landscape, products and services are often targeted by trolls leaving one-star ratings, even when they haven't purchased or used the item in question. These negative ratings can be extremely difficult to remove once posted.

Our games incorporate AI-generated materials, which some people may take issue with. Additionally, they address sensitive topics, making them potential targets. To protect our brand's reputation and ensure that genuine user feedback isn't drowned out by potential trolling or ideological attacks, we've chosen to disable ratings for now.

This approach allows us to focus on delivering quality content while shielding our products from unfair or biased rating campaigns. We continue to value user feedback through other channels and are committed to improving our games based on genuine player experiences.

Why was my comment removed?

Because you were rude, or, your comment triggered some form of cyberbullying action (trolling, mass downvoting, etc.). Our studio's page is dedicated to sharing  beautiful games that bring joy and entertainment to the community. As such, this is not a platform for spreading negativity or hatred. We are committed to maintaining a positive and respectful environment and have a zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful, polarized, hatred-enticing comments.

Why was I blocked?

You were blocked because your actions were detrimental to our game shop in some way. In particular, by detrimental action, we mean any behavior that harms us (pirating our files or content, buying and returning games, promoting hatred toward our team, mass negative ratings/reviews without purchasing, hate speech,  cyberbullying, trolling, instigating hatred against us or our clients, mass downvoting, etc.). All these actions will result in a block.

We strive to maintain a supportive and positive environment for all our users, here, and we take measures to protect this community. Thank you for understanding the necessity of these actions.

Are your games that you're selling respecting copyrights?

Yes, during the pre-AI era games, only resources that were licensed as public domain or available for commercial use without requiring attribution were utilized. In instances where attribution was mandated, such as with music, proper credit was duly given.

In the case of AI-era games, we employ a premium engine that prioritizes upholding copyright laws. It explicitly forbids the inclusion of copyrighted images or photos in its image database. Furthermore, all images generated by this engine are recognized as unique, original creations credited to the individual creating them.

We also utilize AI technology to assist in generating texts. Our approach involves utilizing a premium professional engine for this purpose. 

In cases where original published texts were utilized, they were either in the public domain, making them free for redistribution and commercial use, or we obtained the required copyright permissions from the authors. Rest assured, there is no need for any concerns regarding this matter.

Are you using AI content in your games?

Yes, we firmly believe in the power of AI. AI is a valuable tool and can be highly beneficial when used responsibly, with due consideration for copyrights, among other factors. Please refer to the previous question to discover more about how Hasalynx Games prioritizes copyright protection.

Are these games made by AI? Why are you charging for them?

We've noticed some comments asking why we charge for games that incorporate AI elements - in a more or less polite way. While we choose not to engage with offensive remarks, we appreciate the genuine curiosity from many of you and would like to clarify our process.

Firstly, it's important to understand that our games are crafted by a human developer, not solely by AI. We utilize AI tools to assist with specific tasks like art and scenario creation. Some of the music may be produced using AI, but these decisions are made by the music composers we collaborate with.

So, why do we charge for our games even if they include AI-generated elements? Well, for starters, the use of AI technology involves significant costs. AI engines and tools require substantial investment, which we undertake to enhance the quality of our games. 

Using AI to create resources isn't just a matter of inputting a prompt and getting instant results. Often, we need to adjust the prompt multiple times and redo work to ensure perfection. This process requires both human effort and time. If you don't believe us - try making a game using an AI, and you'll become aware of the creative challenges we encounter.

Moreover, incorporating AI-generated content—be it characters, backgrounds, or text—still demands a considerable amount of human effort. We spend hours editing graphics to ensure they integrate seamlessly with the game, enhancing and adjusting them to perfect the visual experience. Additionally, scenario checking, music selection, and license reviews are all time-consuming tasks handled by us.

Once we have all the elements ready, the next big step is programming the entire game, which absolutely must be done by a human, not an AI. This part of the process is very time-intensive, especially when we're incorporating multiple options and pathways within the game, and other extras.

Moreover, the final stages of testing the game, along with creating marketing materials and writing descriptions, all require significant time and effort. To give you an idea, our longer titles such as "Legends of Phalana," "With Hunt Rescue," etc., took approx. 100-200  hours to make, and our shorter titles, such as "Enkidu's Embrace" - approx. 20 hours; which is still quite a lot of time. We are dedicated to quality, not to releasing subpar games as some commenters may suggest.

To those who are skeptical about the use of AI in creative processes, consider this: being critical of AI today is akin to being skeptical of using Photoshop two decades ago. This technology is a tool that helps us manage resource constraints effectively. We use AI because we don't have the luxury of a large team, nor can we afford to spend hundreds of hours on manual tasks, especially when there's a demand for very cheap and free games.

While we understand that everyone loves free stuff, it's important to remember that creating games is our job. We are investing money, time, effort and skill, to make these games, and we would like to be compensated. That's the reason why we charge for our games, and why we'll continue to do so, even with AI assistance. It's important to understand this. If you disagree, you're welcome to explore games from other studios.

If you want to know more about AI assets' use and copyrights, kindly scroll up to the question "Are your games that you're selling respecting copyrights?", as we have addressed the concerns there.

Having said that, we must reiterate that we won't engage with offensive comments or repeated inquiries about AI use in our work. We simply don't have the time to explain our hard work and dedication to each doubting individual. Please understand and respect this.

Isn't (title) by (famous old author)? / Are you using public domain works in your games?

Yes. As you may have rightly noticed, some of our games incorporate fragments from public domain works - or even entirely base on them!

Is this legal? Yes, if done right. To ensure compliance with copyright laws worldwide, we exclusively utilize works that are explicitly designated as public domain, and only those for which 100 years have elapsed since the author's passing, applaying an additional safety margin of approximately 2 years.

Why 100 years? Because it's the longest time works can be protected by copyright in the world. To give you an idea: In Poland, where we're based, copyright expires after 70 years. But for Mexico, which has the longest protection time in the world, it expires after 100 years.

So, by taking that time and also adding a safety margin, we're on the safe side. We know that the copyrights have really expired and that we can use the work legally. This way, our games using those works can be distributed in all countries of the world without issues.

We always include the following information in the credits: 1. The work's title, 2. The author's full name, birth year, and death year, 3. The translator's full name, birth year, and death year (if applicable), 4. A clear note about any changes or adaptations made to the original work.

Why are you using public domain works?

We began utilizing public domain works in our games because it saves us time, money and effort, and helps us avoid duplicating content that already exists.

Additionally, public domain presents an incredible wealth of knowledge and entertainment that went forgotten over the years. 

Maxine Foti, the project director of Hasalynx Games, and author herself, reads exclusively public domain works, believing them to be superior in quality to modern literature, which is poorly researched, written with basic language, and standardized regarding its content. She therefore helps dig out the forgotten gems and bring them in a fresh format to reintroduce people to the richness of the culture.

This helps preserve the old authors' legacy and bridge the gap between modern people and old authors, showing that the human experience is truly universal and even very old works can be relatable.

Do your games use any copyrighted works by modern authors / pen names?

We call it a studio, but Hasalynx Games is actually a side gig of a small private press in Kielce, Poland, owned by Maxine Foti.

This press, started in 2019 (3 years before Hasalynx Games), publishes romance and fantasy works under three pen names: Maxine Foti, Tina Isabel Leung, and Seraphine Blair. Since Hasalynx Games stems from this press, it naturally reuses those works for its games, and no copyright issue can arise.

I saw your game updated to (website link). Can I buy it there?

Hasalynx Games exclusively operates on itch.io. If you come across our game being shared on other platforms, please be aware that it has been done illegally and without our permission or authorization. Do not purchase our games from unauthorized sources, as these may not be genuine copies, and additionally such purchases strip our studio from royalties!

Can I review your games for (website link)?

Yes, we appreciate all feedback, including constructive criticism. However, we kindly ask that you express your opinions respectfully, even when they're negative. This helps maintain a positive community environment and encourages meaningful dialogue.

Additionally, please be aware that all our game content, including files, graphics, and official text descriptions, is protected by copyright. We kindly request that you do not copy or distribute this material without permission. Instead, we encourage you to share your personal experiences and thoughts about the game in your own words.

Can I record a gameplay for my Youtube channel?

We kindly request that you refrain from recording and sharing full gameplay videos of our game. While we appreciate your enthusiasm, such recordings can potentially harm our sales as viewers might opt to watch these videos instead of purchasing the game themselves.

Our game and its content are protected by copyright, so uploading full gameplay footage on your channel without permission is not permitted. However, we encourage you to create content about your gaming experience in other ways, for example, talking about the game in front of the camera, or drawing fanart.

Can I return the game that I have bought?

Typically, Hasalynx Games does not offer refunds for our products. This policy is in place because once a game is downloaded, there's always a possibility that it has been played to some extent.

However, we do support returns in specific circumstances:

1. Technical Issues: If the game doesn't run on your computer due to compatibility issues.

2. Purchase Defects: In cases where your purchase had a defect, such as:

- A game-breaking bug that prevents you from continuing the game

- A missing title from a bundle you purchased

If you encounter any of these issues, please contact our customer support team with details about your problem. We'll review each case individually and assist you accordingly.

We appreciate your understanding of this policy, which helps us continue to provide quality games while protecting our business interests. Thank you for your support of Hasalynx Games.

How can I contact you?

Please contact us under any project or on any of our pages, thank you.

How can I report a bug?

Please contact one of our team members, Rachel Chen, here, with your inquiry. Before the main content of your comment, do write (HASALYNX GAMES) so that it is clear where you came from. We will take care of it as soon as only possible. In the meantime, thank you for being patient with our games! We plan to offer an option to become a Hasalynx Tester (volunteer) in the future.

Can I print more than just one copy of the deck?

You are allowed to print up to five physical copies of this deck, for the sole purpose of gifting them (free of charge!) to your friends / family. Making more physical copies and gifting / selling them to others counts as illegal distribution of copyrighted material, so please don't do it.

Can I take photos of the cards for my blog?

You are permitted to capture photos of the cards solely for the purpose of deck review. Please refrain from uploading these photos to stock galleries at a later time as images are copyrighted. Also, please keep in mind that taking photos of singular cards, or screenshotting them with the purpose of sharing with others, is not allowed because it counts as illegal distribution of copyrighted material.

Can I record a reading with those cards for my YouTube channel? And monetize the video?

Yes, definitely! We would greatly appreciate it. Kindly remember to include the link to the cards in your video description for viewers who may be interested in purchasing them.

Can I use the cards in other creative projects?

No, these cards are considered a final product and cannot be viewed or utilized as a resource to be integrated into other creative projects. Incorporating them into other games (physical or digital), apps, websites, or crypto/NFT projects is strictly prohibited. Please refrain from doing so.

Can I use these cards to make a fortune-telling app for my website?

No, unfortunately, that counts as use in other creative projects and we don’t allow it. Please refer to the previous point for detailed explanations.

Can I return the printable card deck that I have bought?

Hasalynx Games does not support refunds, as once the print & play game is downloaded, there is a possibility that it may be printed and played. Still, if you have not downloaded the printable card deck yet, you may contact itch.io support directly and ask for a refund.