Grab your keyboards and come on down to the No-Brainer IF Jam: 2016 Edition! We had one of these last year, an' it went pretty well, so here we are again on another whirlwind adventure!

As of 12/05/16, you have 24 working hours to create a text-based game, and several solid months to upload it. Why so relaxed about deadlines? Because No-Brainer's about challenging yourself, having fun, and experimenting with the medium — not skipping meals and welding yourself to your writing desk. Also, holidays.

It's essentially ConstraintsJam for IF devs.

**PLANNING DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR 24 HOUR LIMIT**

Who Can Participate?

Any and all creators of parser games, hypertext fiction, and visual novels!

How Do I Participate?

1. Decide which engine you're using...
2. ...and pick 3 challenges from the list(s) below.
3. Create a game within 24 working hours.
4. Upload it before February 28th, 2017!

If you're making multiple games, remember that you may not re-use challenge combinations from previous No-Brainer entries. Gotta keep you on your toes. :)

Challenges for Visual Novels:

• Keep the game under 10MB.
• Use 3 colors or less with all assets.
• Use a pixel art aesthetic.
• Fully customize the GUI.
• Use 3 art assets or less.
• Create ALL art assets from scratch.
• Limit yourself to 2 scene transitions.
• Use 3 pieces of music or less.
• Use 3 sound effects or less.
• Give the PC their own sprite.

Challenges for Parser Games:

• Make the parser its own character.
• Replace all the default responses.
• Implement custom commands.
• Include a visual map w/ your upload.
• Include 5 or more rooms. Halls don't count!
• Include multiple solutions to one puzzle.

Challenges for Hypertext Fiction:

• Style your game with CSS.
• Play with punctuation for artistic effect.
• Keep total game text under 500 words.
• Tell the story through dialogue alone.
• Mimic the style of a specific author.
• Use exactly 500, 1000, or 1500 words.
• Use exactly 5, 10, or 15 links.

General Challenges:

• Make the PC nameable.
• Include 2 or more speaking characters.
• Implement achievements.
• Use a font you made yourself.
• Make the PC a public domain character.
• Make the PC an inanimate object.
• Avoid all gendered pronouns.
• Name your game with this randomizer.
• Or plot your game with this one.
• Have everyone speak in song lyrics.
• Include 3 or more endings.
• Use one of these words in the narrative.
• Write in a genre you usually don't.
• Write in a tense you usually don't.
• Don't stop believing.

What Are 'Working Hours'?

Hours you spend working with the engine or assets, actively making the game. Most jams define hours by the clock, not development progress — resulting either in frenzied all-nighters or missed deadlines. Bet you're glad you're with us now, aren't you. ;)

I'm trusting y'all to honor that time limit. Of course, no-one will know if you cheat — but you wouldn't short-change yourself that way, right?

Right.

Can I Use Pre-Made Assets?

Regarding visuals and audio: Go ahead, so long as you give proper credit. However, you must create all game text within working hours!

Can I Submit More Than One Entry?

Heck to the yes. If you want, they can all be interrelated, too!

Can We Collaborate On An Entry?

Absolutely!

Can I Include 18+ Stuff?

Just keep it tasteful and respect your audience. We're grown people, here. I'm sure I don't need to elaborate. If you really don't know if your game will pass, drop me a DM on twitter. We'll discuss it there. :)

I Want To Propose A Challenge!

Cool. Hit me up on twitter and I'll gladly consider your suggestion! We're all friends here, man.