The Tabletop Game Tool Jam is for tools developed for tabletop game creators and game masters (GMs). A tool can be anything physical or digital that helps people create or run tabletop games. Tabletop games are physical games that are played offline - roleplaying games, board games, card games, etc.
Jam Complete!
This jam is complete! Thank you to everyone who submitted such excellent tools - I'm endlessly impressed with the creativity on display in these submissions. You can check out the results from the voting - congrats to the winners and to everyone who got involved!
With the success of this jam, I'm going to follow through with the plan to make it an annual event, so keep an eye out for the 2024 Tabletop Game Tool Jam!
Submission Criteria
Submissions can be any kind of tool that tabletop game creators or people who run the games can use to make their work easier.
Some examples of projects that are acceptable: Print or layout templates | Some examples of projects that are not acceptable:* Tools for creating digital games |
* There's nothing wrong with any of these things - they're just not what this jam is all about.
Projects don't have to be published during the time period of the jam - anything you created prior to the jam is entirely acceptable and welcome.
Submissions can be general or related to a specific game - so long as it fits the general description of a tool then it's a valid submission.
Some examples for inspiration:
- An online tool that generates random names for locations or characters
- A set of printable tables for rolling on the physical characteristics of creatures
- A desktop app that facilitates character creation for your favourite game
- A website that generates random events in a game
- A browser-based virtual tabletop system
- A template for creating printable games in a desktop publishing application
- A system reference document (SRD) for TTRPGs
Please do not submit art packs - while those are wonderful resources, they are not tools for game creation or management. Check out this previous jam for a collection of art asset packs.
Join us on Discord!
Rating Submissions
Anyone who submits a project to the jam will be able to rate other submissions based on the following question:
How well does this tool do what it advertises?
This ensures that the voting is based on the merits of the submissions and not what their intended function is, or what game/platform it is focused on.
Rating will be open for 2 weeks after the jam closes - all participants are encouraged to rate as many submissions as they can to make for the fairest results.
Winner's Prize
The three submissions with the highest overall rating will receive a $45-value prize pack full of great resources to make further tool development and game creation easier. These have been donated by wonderful members of the game development community.
The winner's prize pack includes:
- All three modular hexmap assets packs (1, 2 & 3) from Penflower Ink (usually $10)
- The full version of the excellent Classic Explorer Template (usually $20)
- The Complete Edition of the useful TTRPG Roll Tables WordPress plugin (usually $15)
If you would like to contribute an additional prize (like access to your premium tools, for example) then please let me know by submitting this form!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in this jam?
This jam is open to anyone to participate! I reserve the right to remove submissions if they are offensive or violate licence agreements, but I don't expect anything like that to happen.
How many projects can I submit?
There is no limit on the number of projects you can submit to this jam.
Does my project need to be completed before the jam ends?
Not necessarily - so long as you indicate that it is a work in progress and it at least has some functionality for others to be able to test it out.
Is there a theme for this jam?
There is no theme - as long as your project fits the criteria above then it can be submitted.
Do I need to use a particular platform or format?
Not at all! Submissions can be anything from online tools to printable documents and everything in between.
Can I submit paid projects?
Definitely - you are encouraged to make money off your hard work. For the purposes of allowing submissions to be rated by other participants, you might consider adding free community copies to your project or creating a coupon code that you can share with other participants. Alternatively, you could make a free version of your tool with fewer features that you make available alongside a premium version.
Can I collaborate with others on a project?
Of course! Collaboration is always encouraged.
Does the submission need to be created during the jam dates?
No - you can submit a project created at any time in the past, so long as it fits the criteria of the jam. If this jam is successful, then I intend to run it at a regular cadence (annually or every 6 months) and then the tool will need to have been created sometime since the last jam closed, but for this first one, there is no date limitation like that.
Where can we talk about work and submissions?
You can use this jam's community forum for discussion and join the new Discord server here.
I would like to include my product in the winner's prize - how can I do that?
Please submit this form with the details of your product(s) and I will get back to you to discuss including them in the winner's prize.
Can I build on existing tools for my submission?
You can use anything that is available to you and you have the rights to use. If a submission is found to be violating the licence of other tools or assets then it will be removed from the jam. Please credit your sources appropriately as per their licence terms.
Can I update my tool after submission?
Definitely. Rating will only take place after the jam closes, so you can update your tool as much as you like before then. After the jam has closed and rating is complete, you are encouraged to continue iterating and improving your work.
What is the purpose of this jam?
The primary purpose of this jam is twofold:
- To collect the incredible tools that folks have created into one place
- To encourage people to be creative and build new tools
Who is hosting this jam?
This jam is being hosted by Hugh Lashbrooke. You can find me on Itch, Twitter, Mastodon, or my website, as well as on Discord as hlashbrooke.
Have another question you want to ask? Please post in the jam's community forum.
Submissions(43)
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