Welcome to the first Motif Jam!

People have been asking about a Motif game jam for a while, so here we are!

Motif is d6-based framework for making TTRPG games and tools. A high-level view main Motif Framework SRD and an easy-to-use, fast prototyping template Motif SRD Quick Start are available.  Key elements to its approach:

• Rolls answer questions. The core engine uses "oracles" or storyteller emulators as the main engine, for both game systems and GM assistants & solo play "GM-emulators".
• Player-driven, prompt-responsive.  It uses player-facing rolls and is reactive to action & question prompts.
• Genre emulation, theme support. "One might say you need a Motif." Relies on and reinforces tropes by default.
• Protagonist centered. Motif assumes the scale and spotlight are relative to the player characters.

The Motif SRD allows you to do a lot of different things! 

• Create complete tabletop roleplaying games.
• Make standalone oracles for use with other games.
• Invent Motif add-ons and hacks others can use.
• Share new storytelling and worldbuilding games.
• Anything else you can think of using the Motif Way and SRD materials!

If you are unfamiliar with Motif or new to game design, start with the Motif SRD Quick Start. It provides a template and clear choices for design. It is a plug-and-play build and includes a ready-to-use story engine. You can check out the example games and main SRD for further ideas after you get started. 

There are not a lot of rules for the Motif Jam. Just some common sense stuff:

• Entries should be based on or compatible additions to Motif. Games running on Motif, a GM emulator to enable solo play in your pre-existing game, hacks or adventures for the SRD games, or anything else based on the SRD materials is welcome!
• All text, images, and other intellectual property must be created by you or used with permission. Be sure to give proper credit and otherwise comply with any license conditions, terms of permission, or so on for any material used. 
• Comply with the SRD license terms. The SRD materials are released under a simple attribution license. 
  • Bigots and those associating with hate groups are explicitly forbidden from exercising license permissions. Refer to the licensing section in the SRD for more details.
  • You can charge money and sell your work. The only license requirement is giving proper credit as directed.
• Submit your entries between 15 May 2022 and 30 June 2022. You have a full month and a half to share your Motif goodies! So excited to see what you create!

Optional but highly encouraged bits:

• Use the #MotifJam hashtag on Twitter and Facebook for sharing promo hype, ideas, and releases. You can also tag in @__ThoughtPolice on Twitter to help boost your jam entry or ask questions.
• If you set a price on your release (encouraged), consider making community copies available. Times are tough. Leave a few free copies available for those without the cash to spend.
• While not required, you can release your work under a Creative Commons Attribution license. That is the same license the Motif SRD materials are available under. Contributions to the SRD pool are very much welcomed and appreciated!
• You can be a superstar and drop some coins in Rev's tip jar for creating Motif and being an absurd weirdo (alt tip jar here).

And of course you need the resources to participate in the Motif Jam. The main SRD entries are linked up top, but I'll repeat them here along with FIVE(!) example games included as part of the SRD and available under its license! You can use them as reference builds, borrow from them, create hacks or adventures or other add-ons for them, or anything else you can image. They are freely available as part of the SRD.

Main SRDs

• Motif SRD Quick Start. Great starting point. Easy-to-follow template with guidance and clear choices. Create games or rapid prototype a foundation for further development in no time flat! Includes a story oracle for low prep GMing and solo play options.
• Motif Toolkit SRD. This provides the broad view of Motif as a framework. Walks through a number of build options and includes a few full add-ons you can use in your builds. Excellent for the extra add-ons and slightly more advanced but accessible development advice.

Motif SRD Example Games

• Dinosaur Wizards In Space. Exactly what it says on the label. A fast, fun science fantasy game. Excellent basic build reference. Packs a lot into a short 2 page release. 
• The Lost Road. More serious dark fantasy TTRPG. Though only 6 pages, it includes some great examples of all flavor rolls and how they can be used in a build.
• The Princess & The Dragon. Epic fantasy quest with some inverted tropes. This one provides a good example of how to provide structured quests while also embracing the emerging story or sandbox type approach of Motif.
• For Treats! For Glory! A kind of TTRPG toy, in a sense. There are no big goals. There is no plot. There is only seeking Calm and Stimulation, while trying to avoid Boredom. That's the whole game. Just be a kitty. Despite lacking goals and setting and plot, this build still uses Motif and provides behavior prompts to guide play.
• Egregores: The Creepypasta Storytelling Game. Not even a TTRPG! This is a pure storytelling game. The rounds are players taking turns telling their story. Motif is used to shape the stories and track the impending doom facing the players. 

Bonus option: Purchasers of Eat Trash! Do Crime! (sentient raccoons compelled to do exactly that) are permitted to use it under the SRD license.

Get a little help

• You can tag in @__ThoughPolice on Twitter to ask questions, get feedback, and all that.
• You can also find Rev on Discord as Rev (Thought Police)#9150. Feel free to send a friend request and message!

HAPPY GAMING! 

I cannot wait to see what cool stuff you all come up with. <3