Day Jobs, Muggle Jobs, Joe Jobs...

There are many names for the jobs that we take to sustain us, the jobs that give us the basic stability we need to live, so that we might have the chance to create. No matter whether we love these jobs, hate these jobs, or wish we didn't have to have these jobs, there's no denying that they are a big part of our lives.

Often times people think of these jobs as having little or no value. That they hold us back and take up our time with other things that prevent us from doing the creative work that we want to be doing, and that having a day job means that you can't count yourself as a professional. None of this is true, but when things get really hard it's easy to believe these lies, or even tell them to ourselves. 

The purpose of this Jam is to find validation and inspiration in our day jobs. To create settings, stories, and mechanics based on the work we do everyday. While commiserating about the frustrations of your job may your first instinct for a game, and these kinds of games are certainly welcome and relatable, I encourage you to create games inspired by the things that are special, unique, or interesting about your job. Find inspiration in the things that uplift you about your job as well as the things you find challenging. 

Guidelines

1.    Create a game inspired by your day job. If you're designing full time (congratulations!) then consider making a game about a job that you had in the past, as a way to reflect on way lead you to where you are now. (Although if you wanna get meta and make a game about making games, then I support you!)

2.    These games should include safety mechanics or guidelines for using safety tools when playing your game. If you need more information on safety tools, you can reach out to me or refer to the TTRPG Safety Toolkit. The TTRPG Safety Toolkit is a resource created by Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk. The TTRPG Safety Toolkit is a compilation of safety tools that have been designed by members of the tabletop roleplaying games community for use by players and GMs at the table. You can find it at bit.ly/ttrpgsafetytoolkit.

3.    I encourage you to charge money for your completed games because you are a hardworking professional! But I also encourage you to set up community copies for people who may not be able to afford your game at full price. Dee Pennyway (@Dee Pennyway) has a guide for setting them up here!

4.   This game jams promoting racism, sexism, queerphobia, or bigotry of any kind are not allowed in this jam and will be removed.