If you've ever wanted to bring a beloved character concept into the game, Design Transfers are how you could accomplish that. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the transfer process, from understanding what qualifies to getting your design approved.
What are Character Design Transfers?
Character Design Transfers allow you to recreate an existing character you own as a Kiji, Tally, or Centaurian within the game. This process involves purchasing a transfer slot from the credits shop and working with Wolvenhyde, the group owner, to convert your character's design into one of these three species while keeping as much of the original concept intact as possible.
It is essentially creating a "clone" of your original character within the game's universe, rather than transforming your original character into the species. The end result will be a Kiji, Tally, or Centaurian that captures the essence and appearance of your beloved character.
What is the difference between Transfers and Semicustoms?
The key differences between transfers and semicustoms come down to source material, trait selection, and limitations. Transfers are for existing characters that you already own and have owned for some time, while semicustoms are entirely fresh custom characters created from scratch.
With transfers, Wolvenhyde chooses the traits based on your existing character's design, and there are generally no limits on feature number or rarity since the goal is to match your original design as closely as possible. Semicustoms, on the other hand, allow you to choose the features yourself, but come with specific limits on what traits and rarities are allowed.
What is allowed/not allowed for transfers?
To qualify for a character transfer, your character must meet specific ownership requirements. The character needs to have been owned by you for several months, or if it's more recent, you'll need a substantial amount of artwork that clearly demonstrates it's a well-developed character concept you've had for a while. The artwork must also clearly represent a single, consistent design. If you have say ten different images of a character but each looks drastically different from the others (beyond simple species variations of the same design), approval becomes much more unlikely.
Additionally, while we allow players to transfer characters from other species, their own original characters, or even cannon characters from other professional works (Such as for example famous anime like Naruto or Full Metal Alchemist, or live action shows like Law and Order, John Wick, or games such as the Witcher or Mario), there are some important things to note:
No, we do not require you to decease a character from other worlds to bring them into WoG. Remember, this is just a design transfer, they are a 'clone' design-wise. If you're transferring from another species, it's recommended to link their page in the group. Secondarily, when it comes to transferrin cannon characters, no you are NOT allowed to just choose a beloved character from a franchise and transfer it, it's a bit more complicated than that. You have to have your own custom AU version of them, complete with their own TH page or the like, to show it's still technically your character.
While a fullbody reference sheet is highly desired, it's not necessarily required. The specific requirements can vary depending on the species, design complexity, and individual situation. The one major exception to the time ownership requirement is if you purchased a design from an established adoptable artist and want to transfer it into the game - this is usually acceptable regardless of how recently you acquired it.
For proof of ownership, a Toyhouse profile is the most ideal option. If that's not available, the best alternatives are public comments that guests can view showing you bought or traded for the character, or listings on other sites that show you as the current owner.
It's important to understand that you cannot abuse the transfer system to get cheap semicustoms. Know that attempts to circumvent the system will be discovered and dealt with accordingly.
What do you mean when you say the transfer is just a 'clone'?
This is one of the most crucial aspects to understand about transfers. You are creating a "clone" or recreation of your original character's design, not transforming your original character into a game species or having them shapeshift into one. The final result is definitively a Kiji, Tally, or Centaurian - not an angel, demon, deity, or whatever your original character may have been before.
While your transferred character can certainly believe they are their original species or claim to have memories of being something else, other characters in the game's lore will view such claims as delusional. Most importantly, if your original character had supernatural abilities like weather manipulation, time travel, or other extraordinary magical powers that Kiji, Tallies, or Centaurians do not possess, your transferred version cannot perform these feats (Though may be allowed to pretend to). They exist purely as the game species they've become, bound by the same limitations as any other character of that species.
This distinction is essential to maintain the integrity of the game's world and ensure that transfers don't disrupt the established lore and power balance.
So What can I do with Transfers Then? What's the Point?
Despite the limitations, transfers offer tremendous value for players who want to bring cherished character designs into the game world. You get to preserve the visual essence and personality of your beloved character while giving them new life within the game's universe.
Many players find great joy in seeing how their favorite characters would exist and interact within the game's established world. It's an opportunity to explore new storylines and character development while maintaining the core of what makes that character special to you.
Is there a limit on the transfers I can get?
There is no limit on how many transfer slots you can purchase or own. However, you cannot transfer the same character design more than once - each character can only be brought into the game one time.
While there's currently no strict limit on how many undesigned transfers you can have pending, keep in mind that having too many undesigned characters (including transfers) may make you ineligible for adopting from the donation or adoption centers until you've designed more of your existing characters.
Can transfers be denied?
Yes, transfers can be denied. Wolvenhyde has the final say on whether a character qualifies for transfer based on the ownership requirements, design consistency, available proof, and other factors mentioned throughout this guide. Each application is evaluated individually, taking into account the specific circumstances of your character and situation.
If you're unsure whether your character would qualify, you're welcome to ask before purchasing a transfer slot, though the final determination will still be made during the official process.
How do I get a design transfer?
The transfer process involves several steps that must be completed in order. Here's what you need to do:
Purchasing the transfer
First, you'll need to purchase a character transfer slot from the credits shop for 15 credits (equivalent to $15). Credits can occasionally be earned through game events, certain activities, or helping with administrative work, but are primarily obtained by supporting the game financially. Speak to Wolvenhyde if you need to purchase credits. Some players may also be willing to buy them for you!
After purchase, the slot(s) will be in your inventory as an openable. Simply click on it after the page loads, click the checkbox as you would any other openable, and click 'Use Slot'. This will automatically generate the Transfer Slot for you! However, note it will be blank until filled out.
Getting the geno filled out
Once you've purchased and used your transfer slot, contact Wolvenhyde to begin the transfer process. You'll need to provide all the details about your character, including proof of ownership and reference materials. While you can give your opinion on certain choices she makes about the character's traits and features, Wolvenhyde has the final say on all decisions regarding the geno (the technical specifications of your character's features).
If you disagree with some of her choices, such as a specific trait or marking, sometimes she will be willing to adjust it. If not, don't worry - you can work with the initial specifications for now and use trait edits after your character is uploaded to modify features you'd prefer to change.
During this phase, Wolvenhyde will work to make the design as close to your original concept as possible and answer any questions you might have, but please understand that certain adjustments may need to be made to the design to keep the geno legal within the game's system. If a design is difficult to transfer, oftentimes it will be spliced to allow for merging traits to fit the design better.
Designing the transfer
After the geno is filled out in the description of the slot, you'll need to create the actual design for your character. This follows the same process as designing any other character from a geno - you'll design it on the base (Or use Legacy if you'd rather). Not only do the features need to be legal in accordance to the geno block, but also the design needs to stay close to the original. The original will also be linked in the geno description not only for your own accessability but also for the admin looking over your design once submitted.
Make sure to not only reference the character the design is coming from, but also look at the rules of the markings and traits that were chosen. Glam Kits can be fronted by the group for Transfers if needed.
Submitting for approval
The final step is submitting your designed character for approval. This process is identical to submitting any other geno to the design approval system. Simply head to your character's geno page, click "Submit Design" on the sidebar, and follow the provided instructions. For more detailed information about the approval process, you can refer to the Newbie Guide.
Remember that Wolvenhyde will ultimately decide whether your character qualifies for a transfer, and her decisions regarding the character's specifications are final. The process is designed to help you bring your beloved characters into the game while maintaining the integrity of the game's systems and world.