Instructions...
What are TTRPGs, if not a collection of instructions for you to follow, guiding you in shaping a new reality?
Experimental, poetic and narrative micro TTRPG
For this jam, we are looking for TTRPG that exist on the fine line between experimental play and art.
Games can be actually playable… or not, but they should at least appear to be. Pure poetry won’t be accepted; submissions should have something distinctive—whether it's the theme, the wording of the rules, the visuals, or ideally, all of these.
Some of the minimalist games designed for jams* on Itch.io (such as jams with very limited word counts) tend to fall into this “art games” category. Game poems are another great example. We are looking for games that are introspective, metaphysical, political, or poetic—whether serious, absurd, whimsical, or unsettling.
Games should fit within an A4/letter-size format. Possibly up to 2 pages if visually necessary. No more than 200 words.
Finally, we strongly advocate for inclusive values and will not accept any game that promotes discrimination, violence, hatred, or any form of exclusion based on gender, race, sexuality, disability, or other marginalized identities.
Here are some examples of games that more or less match our criteria: https://itch.io/c/5268174/artgames
*Please do not submit a game that has already been submitted for the 36-word RPG jam, as we have already made our selection from those entries.
Contribute to a micro-games print anthology
"Another goal of the jam is to complete a games anthology. We are a French indie game publisher, preparing the crowdfunding campaign for a book in both print and digital formats. It will be distributed at various gaming events, festivals, and online.
We have already selected a number of games from Itch.io and contacted their designers, but we also would like to include new, original creations.
Ideally, we are planning to release two versions: one in French and one in English. For the French version, if games are difficult to translate (such as poetry), the original version will be included along with a “rough” translation in French. We accept submissions in English, French, or Spanish.
FAQ
Does my game need to be illustrated or visually striking?
It’s always great when games have their own visual atmosphere, but it’s not required. Your game can be text-only, and depending on its nature, we will either present it in a simple typographic format or suggest a layout/design. NO AI ART will be accepted.
As an author, will I be giving up my rights?
No, you will retain all rights to your creations. You will simply grant us a non-exclusive right to translate and include your work in the anthology.
Will the book be sold or distributed for free?
It will be sold, but only to cover the costs of development and printing. In the event of crowdfunding or if sales exceed production costs, revenues will be fairly split among contributors. Additionally, each contributor will receive a free copy of the book (print + PDF).
Can I submit more than one game?
Yes! We aim to include around 50-60 games in the anthology (more in the extended PDF version), and a single author can contribute multiple creations. However, there will be two separate selections: one for the print edition and a larger one for the digital version.
How will the selection process work?
Once the jam is over, a jury composed of game publishers, designers and dedicated enthusiasts will review all submissions and make a selection. The selected authors will be notified in the following weeks. Your submission may be accepted for the extended PDF version but not the printed one.
What will the book look like?
The exact format is not yet finalized, but it is expected to be an 18.5 x 26 cm (7.2 × 10.2 in) hardcover book, around 130 pages, full color—similar to an art book or exhibition catalog. Each game will be presented across 2 pages, including biographical and/or contextual information about the designer and the creation of the game.
What's the expected chronology of the project?
We hope to finalize our selections by mid-April. The publication date is not set yet, but it is expected to be released by the end of the year. We will launch a crowdfunding campaign in the meantime to support the project.