This jam is now over. It ran from 2024-04-10 04:00:00 to 2024-04-20 04:00:00.

The Context:

PlayMakers Repertory Company at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill presents the world premiere of Bekah Brunstetter's newest work, The Game, based on Aristophanes's classic Greek work, Lysistrata. Alyssa and Homer are feeling disconnected in their marriage. And it’s all due to the massively engrossing online game that’s wreaking havoc on the lives of couples everywhere. When she puts together a support group for other women in a similar situation, the game enters a new level where all’s fair in love and war. Bekah Brunstetter’s (NBC’s "This is Us”, Broadway's newest hit "The Notebook") hilarious and heartfelt world premiere brings technology and community together in the most unexpected ways.

What is this massively engrossing online game? Within the world of the play, we are provided with some information — it’s a massively multiplayer online role-playing game; there are definitely weapons; there's also very likely avatars; and objectives can be achieved through teamwork. Beyond that, the mechanics are as much a mystery for audiences as they are for Alyssa and the rest of the support group.


The Challenge:

Create a gaming experience inspired by Brunstetter's newest work and your own gaming. What about this world and its mechanics is captivating? How can it enhance social interactions; build relationships and communities? How can it inhibit them? What does it mean to win? What is the essence of the multi-player experience?


The Rules:

  • Your game must be inspired by The Game which runs from 4/10-4/28 at the Playmakers Repertory Company
  • Your team may be any size and you may use whatever tools you like
  • Your game must run on either a laptop or a mobile device
  • No discrimination or hate speech
  • Pre-existing assets are allowed provided proper licensing and crediting
  • Your game must be openly licensed via Creative Commons


The Conclusion:

Submissions will be reviewed and if selected, will form an interactive display in the lobby before each showing of The Game in the week following submission, with full credits to the designing teams!



This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.