An analogue game jam in 36 words

This game jam is for 36-words RPGs, open to game designers of all experience level. The goal of this game jam is to get people to create RPGs (36 words should be easy, right?), and to experiment with rules-lite mechanics, seeing what can be produced when RPG ideas are stripped down to their bare minimum.

Why 36-words?

This is a sequel to 12-word RPG Jam and 24-word RPG Jam.

One of my original intent for 12-word RPG Jam is the possibility for designers to create games with multiple sentences of equal word count—each sentence can be a step in the gameplay loop, or an instruction for a specific role. Like 12, 36 is a highly composite number with many divisors—1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 36. Thus, a 36-word RPG can potentially be 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 36 sets of instructions of equal number of words.

I have previously written an article for Geek Native On Game Jam Culture and Minimalist RPGs, which details my thoughts on the subject matter.

Here are some inspirations in minimalist RPG design:

• Entries to 12-word RPG Jam and 24-word RPG Jam
• Entries to Micro Fiction Games Jam run by James Chip, where submissions have to be 280 characters or less
• Physical games tagged "business-card" on itch.io: https://itch.io/physical-games/tag-business-card
• Physical games tagged "bookmark" on itch.io: https://itch.io/physical-games/tag-bookmark
• Physical games tagged "one-page" on itch.io: https://itch.io/physical-games/tag-one-page

Rules

1. Write an analogue role-playing game (such as TTRPG or LARP) in 36 words.
   1. Analogue games are games with human facing instructions, contrasting video games with code executed by a computer.
   2. The rules/mechanics need to be in 36 words, but the game may have a separate title and introduction.
   3. It should be a standalone game, without the need for other game texts.
2. The game has to be made within the jam period.
   1. It's fine if you have the idea before 1/1/25. Just make sure your itch.io project is created within the jam period.
3. Multiple entries are allowed.
4. It is recommended to mention RPG safety tools in the itch.io game description.
5. No AI or crypto-art! Entries containing them will be removed.
6. No hate speech or bigotry!
7. We reserve the right to remove any submissions that are against the spirit of the jam.

Theme (optional)

The theme for 36-word RPG Jam is: Nature//Growth

The incorporation of the theme into your game is entirely optional. It is to serve as an inspiration or a challenge to your creativity.

Community

Some people have asked for a Discord server in our previous game jams. For 36-word RPG Jam, we have set up the Paper Jam Discord server for people to talk about the game jam and RPG design in general.

FAQ

I want people to be creative with the 36-word rule (but not ignore it). I wrote the FAQ mostly to inspire rather than to place restrictions.

• Are graphic elements and symbols allowed?
  • It is in fact encouraged to use graphic elements to enhance your game! Punctuations and simple mathematic symbols are allowed and they don't add to your word count. However, if a symbol is used in place of a word, it counts as a word. When used in a list, bullet points are exempted from the word count.
• What about numbers/numerals and dice notations (1d6, 2d20, etc.)?
  • Each individual number/numeral counts as a single word when used on their own. A dice notation counts as a single word rather than three. Both bullets in bullet points and numbers in a numbered list are exempt from the word count, with the former preferred over the latter to reduce confusion in word counting.
• Are emojis allowed?
  • They are frowned upon.