THE INCIDENT

An experimental game jam by Cecile Richard.

The early-morning commuters, street sweepers and tram drivers are the first ones to notice it. It’s impossible not to notice it, because all the trams are stopped on either ends of Swanston Street.

The tram doors open in helpless resignation to let the commuters out. They step out, and there it is, right under their feet, swaying in the wind.

Grass.

It’s an unseasonably warm morning in late April in Melbourne, and the entire length of Swanston Street is covered in grass.

The Facts

You cannot change these things. No matter how you tackle the prompt, these should be treated as fact.

• This is real.
• There is grass on Swanston Street, stretching from Victoria Street to Flinders Street.
• Lots of it. Lush and vibrant.
• It seems to have appeared overnight in late April.
• On first impression, it is unclear whether it grew out of the street itself, or if a very dedicated group of individuals put it there.

Technical Sheet

• You can make whatever you want for the jam, although I'd recommend making something in an interactive medium. “A game” is the most obvious option here, but you can make: a webpage/fansite, a zine (yes, a zine is interactive), a TTRPG… Considering this is a very short jam, whatever you’re most comfortable with is probably going to be your medium. 
• Teams are allowed. Obviously.
• If making a game, you can submit it to this jam page.
• If making something else and/or you have no idea what this ^ means, we can work this out… talk to me about it!
• This (first) session is two-hour long.
• There is going to be a second, day-long session at Sabby Gallery (info and address at: sabby.gallery). I’m not sure how early I should get there. We can decide together.

About your host

I’m Cecile and I make cool things on the computer.

• You can find my games at: haraiva.itch.io 
• You can email any questions, feedback, etc at my email address.

Inspirations and references

• Real events
  • Imagine a City: Swanston Street Party and the greening of Melbourne A nice article about the 80s artistic project of turning Swanston Street into a grassy park. This is what this jam’s Incident is inspired by!
  • May 2024 geomagnetic storm. Aurora sightings in a whole lot of places on the planet. 
• Fiction
  • Polynia by China Miéville. Floating icebergs suddenly drift into the sky of London. People are curious about them.
  • Cloud of Unknowing by Siobhan Dent. A hole opens up in the sea. People jump into it and return transformed.
  • The Crease by isyourguy. Creases into unknown worlds appear across the city, an invitation of possibilities; Tina needs a change.

General Tips

• Don’t overthink your idea. You don’t have a lot of time, so pick something you want to make (be it medium or story or game idea), and stick with it.
• Ideally, by the time the two-hour introductory workshop is over, you should have a solid idea of what you want to make or, even better, you may already be working on it.
• Try to finish your thing. It doesn’t have to be perfect or even “good” (by whose standards?). “Bad” is better than “not finished”, because “not finished” is nothing. Also, if you don’t finish your thing I’ll be disappointed. :(
• You can ask me questions whenever you want. :)

Questions you can ask yourself to get started (or as you go along):

• Whose point of view are you embodying with your game/thing?
• Is it a more personal take on the Incident, or is it more documentary-like?
• For people who don’t want to make something about Melbourne: This is an event that occurs in the centre of Melbourne. What could elsewhere be like?
• How would you react to the Incident? How would someone completely unlike you react to it?
• Walk along Swanston Street and look around you. How would people use the space if there was grass on it?