Creating

Image sources

How images work in OBEATR stories - external https links only, with several ways to pick them.

OBEATR never stores your images. Story images are external https links: the player's browser loads the picture directly from its source, and OBEATR sends no referrer along. There is no upload for story images. This is the same idea as with video, see Local video.

You are responsible for having the right to link to what you use. Only link to material you may use, and respect the terms of the site that hosts it.

Fixed URL

The simplest case: paste one https link into an Image element and add a short description in the alt field. Links must start with https://. Animated GIFs work too, just paste the GIF's link. If a link is missing or does not start with https, the game cannot be submitted.

The same rule applies to the sound, video and jigsaw URLs in a story.

Random sources

An image element can pull a different picture each time the player enters the sequence. Choose the Image source in the element:

Random from list: one https link per line, up to 20.
Random from subreddit: enter a name like r/pics or a link. It uses current top posts, and you can allow NSFW posts. Images are fetched through a third-party mirror, because Reddit's own API is not available to OBEATR.
Random from Imgur album: an album link (imgur.com/a/...) or the album ID.
Random from Redgifs: search by up to three tags, or use a username. Everything from Redgifs is NSFW. Videos play muted in a loop, and Images only hides them.

For subreddit, Imgur and Redgifs sources you can set an optional fallback image URL. It is shown if the source returns nothing. Use Show another image in the editor to preview a draw.

Subreddit and Redgifs sources rely on unofficial interfaces that can change or break. Always set a fallback image.

Stock photos

In the story editor, Choose stock photo opens a search of free photos from Pexels. Search with a term like "night city", pick a photo, and the editor inserts its link. The photo is linked, not uploaded. The dialog credits Pexels. If you search too often you may see a "try again in a few minutes" message, and the feature may be unavailable on some installations.

Cover image

A game's preview image is also a link. Add it in the game's settings. See Submit your game.

Tips

Prefer sources that allow hotlinking. If the host blocks it, the player sees a broken image.
Write a useful alt text for every image.
Check your links before submitting, because moderators review the images.

Editor and customizer settings

The author settings that shape how your story looks, and the player settings that can override them.

Submit your game

Fill in the game info, pass the checklist, and what happens in moderation, updates, languages and suggestions.