How to Enter
How to Join in -
There are two submissions you will need to make in order to enter Hyperspace OCT: character application and audition. The deadline for character applications is 11th March 2023 and the deadline for auditions is 18th March 2023.
You MUST join our Discord to participate.
Character Application -
You need to have your characters approved by the judges BEFORE submitting an audition. We encourage you to apply early so if your characters include any major mistakes you have enough time to edit your audition if need be.
Send an email to HyperspaceOCT@gmail.com and include the word "Application" in the subject line. You MUST use the following template:
[Name(s): (your name and your partner's name if applicable - this is how we will refer to and credit you in official posts, updates, and correspondence; could be a username, nickname, or real name)
Pronouns: (how you'd like us to refer to you and your partner if applicable)
Discord Tag(s): (your tag and your partner's tag if applicable - include the digits after the #)
Team Name: (your characters' in-universe expedition team name)
Colour Preferences: (briefly describe any preferences you have for your team's colour - which colour their accessories will be*)
Reference Link(s): (link to your characters' references)]
We may ask you to edit your characters to suit our requirements before you can submit an audition. Be ready to make changes and respond with updated references.
Once your characters are approved, we will link your references and post the image portion on the Characters page.
Check the Character Creation page for details on how to make admissible characters and reference sheets.
*We will try to follow these but can't guarantee anything. Feel free to state one or two colours you absolutely don't want - we'll make sure you don't get given those.
Audition -
After your characters have been approved, you need to submit an entry which fulfils the audition prompt. Auditions will be judged to determine which competitors make it to round one (likely everyone due to our format but there's a chance of knockouts if we receive a high volume of entries); narratively, they serve as a form of prologue.
Send an email to HyperspaceOCT@gmail.com and include the word "Audition" in the subject line. You MUST use the following template:
[Name(s): (your name and your partner's name if applicable - the same ones you first submitted your characters with)
Audition Title: (give your audition a name - think of it like a chapter / part title)
Audition Link: (include a link to either the first part of your audition (if it is linked together internally) or a "contents page" which includes links to every part)]
Provided you've followed the Rules and prompt, we will link your entry on the Auditions page.
Check the Round 0 prompt page for details on what your audition should include narratively.
Where to Post Your Entries -
You may post your entries to any reputable platform where it can be viewed by anyone. Be aware of different platforms' limitations. Examples are listed below - please let the judges know if you'd like to post elsewhere so we can check it beforehand. Multimedia entries can be posted across different sites if needed.
You MUST link together all parts of each entry in order (or provide a link to a folder / document where everything can be found in a clear order). Keep things simple! Ensure your entry is accessible and easy to read before you submit it.
Writing:
AO3
DeviantArt
Google Docs
Google Drive*
Newgrounds
Reddit
Steam
Tumblr
TwitLonger
WattPad
Images (e.g. Comic):
Cubari
DeviantArt
Google Drive*
Google Photos
Imgur
Newgrounds
Steam
Reddit
Tapas
Tumblr
Twitter
Webtoon
Video or Audio:
Google Drive*
Imgur
Newgrounds
Reddit
Steam
Tumblr
Twitter
Vimeo
YouTube
Game or Visual Novel:
Google Drive* (PowerPoint)
Itch.io
Newgrounds
Steam
*When it comes to Drive, keep your file sizes in mind. We shouldn't need to download any files (for safety reasons) to view your entry, make sure we can see them in a browser.
How to Submit Your Entries (Round One Onward) -
Send your entries via email to HyperspaceOCT@gmail.com and include the word "Entry" in the subject line - you MUST use the following template:
[Name(s): (your name and your partner's name if applicable - the same ones you first submitted your characters with)
Entry Title: (give your entry a name - think of it like a chapter / part title)
Entry Link: (include a link to either the first part of your entry (if it is linked together internally) or a "contents page" which includes links to every part)]
Provided it's appropriate, we will then add a link to your entry on the corresponding Entries page.
Feel free to post your entries wherever you'd like (especially in our Discord), but be warned: entries will ONLY be accepted officially when submitted via email!
Entry Requirements -
In each round, your entry MUST show your characters successfully completing the relevant prompt (each will be announced clearly on Discord, Twitter, and email and posted to the Premise & Prompts page).
In auditions, this serves as a means to get your characters in the right place. Round one onward will feature the in-universe tournament rounds. Round two onward will see competitors matched up against each other randomly in a single-elimination bracket; by showing your expedition team win, you show that the opposing team loses.
It is recommended you aim to make your entries a complete story which connects rather than jumping between round prompts - i.e. showing your characters at the base camp at the start and/or end of your entries - but this isn't strictly needed.
Summary -
All applications / entries are to be done via email. Ours is HyperspaceOCT@gmail.com. Please see our required formats above to make sure you're including what you need.
You need to have your characters' reference sheets approved through a character application (deadline: 18th Feb 2023). This comes first.
As soon as your characters are approved, you can then submit an audition (deadline: 25th Feb 2023).
Submit your entries for other rounds much the same way you entered your audition.
You're fine to post your entries on any appropriate site, just be sure to ask the judges about options not listed on this page.
Email templates to submit your characters, auditions, and future entries can be found further up the page.
If you have any questions or concerns before entering, check our FAQ and other pages - if you don't find an answer there, drop us an email or ask in the #questions channel of our Discord server.