Every Idea is reviewed for content, originality, style, and whether it can be built as drawn. If yours wasn't approved, its status changes to Not Approved and you get a message from the team in your Highrise inbox, in a chat named after your Idea. Because of the number of submissions, the team may not explain each decision.
What are the most common reasons an Idea isn't approved?
It doesn't look finished. Rough, vague, or half-finished designs are rejected because the art team builds what's in the picture.
It's more than one item. A hair design with built-in ears and clips counts as three items.
It's a redesign or too close to an existing item, even by accident. Waves of near-copies of a recently funded Idea are also turned down.
It uses AI. Any AI-generated design is rejected.
It's an item type Ideas doesn't take: furniture, pets or pet accessories, lenses, profile backgrounds, or animated items such as moving wings or tails.
It changes color in an unnatural way. Only things like hair, eyes, lips, brows, facial hair, freckles, blush, and fur or scale body parts may change color.
It uses someone else's property: logos, brands, fictional characters, real people, stock images, clip art, or assets from other games.
It's in the wrong item type.
The full rules are in the Highrise Ideas guidelines.
My Idea was flagged as AI or copied, but I made it. What can I do?
Contact Support and include your username, the Idea's name, and a speed-drawing or time-lapse video that shows your design being made from a blank canvas. Most drawing apps can export one. The team will take a second look. Proof of your process is the fastest way to get a mistaken flag reviewed.
Can I be banned from Highrise Ideas?
Yes. Submitting AI-generated work or basing an Idea on another player's item can get you banned from Highrise Ideas, for a set time or permanently. You confirm both of these when you submit. If you see "You are not allowed to submit ideas at this time" when submitting, your account can't submit Ideas right now.
Can I resubmit my Idea?
Yes. Fix the problem, delete the old Idea from its page if you like, and submit the new version. Check it against the guidelines first, since most rejections come from something listed there.
Can an approved Idea still be removed?
Yes. Highrise can remove an Idea during Funding or Production for technical limits, quality, or a guideline problem. If that happens, the Idea is canceled and backers are refunded.
Still need help?
Contact Support with your username and the Idea's name. Support can request a second review of a flagged Idea, but can't promise it will be approved.