itch.io

This was a really good submission!  I did spot the Pulp Fiction influence in your poster.

I think you did a really good job packing a lot of gameplay into just the one page, which I know can be difficult.  You were even able to add some tables for built-in encounters, items, etc, giving the players some additional structure/guidance, when I know even that little bit could have spiraled into something way more than just a fraction of a page (I know I would have been tempted to try and pack too much into a game like this).   Nicely done!

In the future, just to keep it consistent, I would like everyone to be more careful about profanity in the titles and games, as part of our SFW guidelines.  I know it might seem like a little thing, but it helps to keep things from getting out of hand (as you know, some people might take it too far, and it's easier just to have guidelines for people to follow).  Next time I will have to be more strict about that.

Really great, thoughtful gameplay that you've put together!  I also really liked the visual design of your manual, even down to the font, nice choice!  

Hello! 

Please remember to check the anti-spam guidelines for the TTRPG jam.

 As a reminder, here they are: We also have an antispam policy to keep people from just mass submitting games for marketing and publicity. 

Here are the guidelines: In your submission, on the Itch.io project page, please write a short sentence or two about how you incorporated the jam theme. If you choose not to incorporate the theme, please share something you learned or improved during this jam (you can also do this if you do use the theme, but it's required if you don't use it). During the submission period, your game can only be submitted to this jam. If we do a ranked/voting version, you can submit the same game to both, but no other submissions during the jam and voting duration. Any submissions that do not follow these guidelines will be removed, after the submitter has been contacted but fails to update the description within a day. If you feel that you have updated your submission to meet the guidelines but it has been removed, you may resubmit.

Also, as with all our practice jams, if you are going to submit a game, please keep it safe for work and non-political. So please try to limit profanity as well (including the title).

Hello!  Only the ranked version of the practice jam has voting and winners.  For each practice jam, the description page has a link to the ranked version. https://itch.io/jam/ranked-practice-jam-8

The optional theme for this jam is "Rumors"

Hi everyone!  I have updated the jam description with a more detailed outline of what to submit and what we are trying to do.  Please let me know if there any questions, comments or concerns!

When we had started doing the regular practice game jams, there were some folks who were also specifically interested in doing something similar for TTRPGs and specifically.  Basically I thought it would be something that could be fun and of value for those who might want to try a new genre of game development.  I know I'd have to do a lot of learning on the subject myself, but I'm ok with that as it's also helping other people who might not otherwise find other jams/opportunities like this.  

As a CRPG/JRPG/WRPG fan myself, I think it's also cool to explore another branch of RPG development as well.

Very true.  The issue is that in what I've seen so far, I'm not sure that there are a lot of free VTTs, and I'm not sure how flexible they are as far as what types of games can be on there.

Part of the consideration for the jam series include:

1. Low cost of entry/no monetary entry barrier.  I wouldn't want people to feel they have to pay for something if they want to participate in the jam series, or that they have to give credit card info to a service.

2. Making sure that creativity is not restricted.  I still need to learn more about the various VTTs that are out there, but I wouldn't want someone to not be able to do a really creative game that is not suited to any of the VTTs out there because the series is geared towards eventually putting the game on a VTT.  Other options for online implementation are not trivial either.  We can definitely incorporate those elements as an optional element, but I'm hesitant to make that a driving goal for those who want to make games, but for now don't want to put them on a VTT.

So then maybe the best thing to do is to refine the definition of "electronic," as was originally pointed out.  Maybe that means something that can be distributed in a more general electronic form, such as a set of downloadable PDFs or assets that people can still use outside of a VTT or strictly online/electronic play.  So "electronically distributed TTRPG" rather than "electronic TTRPG."

That way, those that want to eventually use a VTT can still join us when we discuss that, but no one feels they have to be locked into that path.

Again, I'm learning right along with everyone else in this, and I know there are people a lot more versed in this area than I am, so if someone knows more in-depth about VTTs and other, purely electronic play modes that are flexible, or what does/doesn't work on these platforms, I am open to your expertise.   So please do bear with me as I get a better understanding as we go through this process.

Would ya'll have any objections if I broadened the definition/interpretation of "electronic?"  

Hello!  Yes, I definitely will be adding more structure to this challenge as far as what we're going to be doing.  This is actually my first time doing anything with TTRPGs myself, so I've been doing research and working on ironing things out.  I will of course be adding an updated description before we begin, I have just been trying to finish up with some deadlines for other work on my end, so my apologies for not having that yet.

Making an RPG of ANY kind can be a tricky process, whether it's table top or video game (I'm infinitely familiar with this on the video game side of things), so I think that this practice jam series will focus on different concepts each time.  

For beginners, and with this first jam, my idea is to start off with something closer to Option D, as you outlined in your post, RobotCommission.  I was thinking we would start this first jam with something more akin to a small paper RPG with some core elements: brief story/background setting, character creation, some skills/actions that are available to players, a goal, and a decision/conflict resolution (whether that's roll of dice or some other mechanism).  The product for this iteration of the jam a PDF or some other document that outlines all of this for the player, and it would be no more than a few pages. 

I actually just realized a few days ago there was something similar to this idea going on: https://itch.io/jam/one-page-rpg-jam-2024

This is basically our "first step" into the idea of TTRPGs, and each subsequent jam would expand on another aspect in more manageable bites, ultimately including how to use some of the virtual tabletops, character template creators, and other more electronic tools that are available in the TTRPG ecosystem.  This way, people who are brand-new to this don't have to try and come up with a good story, strong character classes, balanced mechanics, VTT integration, etc, all in one go.

Does that sound fair?  

Hello!  Sorry about that, looks like the link expired.  I just created a new one that doesn't expire: https://discord.gg/XUpShgAtH2

Theme is one button, two functions

Theme is one button, two functions

Sure, here is the new link: https://discord.gg/8ewb6XJK

I guess the previous one expired.

Also, there is no prize.  It's purely for practice and personal improvement.  The ranked version is to help people get more feedback, but other than that, no prizes.

Optional, but I think a lot of people prefer to play in the browser rather than downloading for jams like this.  You'll probably get more engagement if you have a web build.

This is great, EthanEddy!  I'm so glad you had fun and got a chance to work on your skills!  I'm also on the programming side of things, and I while I have started doing some vector art tutorials, I too have quite a ways to go, but from what I've seen you've been doing a great job!  My hope is that I can have a stockpile of assets that I can draw on for future jams and projects.  What's been your process for improving your art/visuals, as a programmer?

Sorry about that!  It appears the Discord links do expire after a certain amount of time.  Here's the new link: https://discord.gg/zTvaKNhS

Thanks for pointing it out!  I'll update the jam pages.

Totally up to you, I don't have a rule about it!

Excellent!  Just so you know, we also have a channel for connecting with possible teams on our Discord (link is on the jam page), if you're interested!

Hello everyone,

I have noticed what appears to be spam submissions to the practice jams.  Games are submitted within a day or two of the theme announced, AND they are submitted to multiple jams.

That violates the spirit of the jams, and is not what they are for.  Going forward, and taking into account any games that have already been submitted, your game must meet the following guidelines:

1. You must only submit them to this current practice jam (you can still submit to both ranked and unranked).  

2. You must include in your game description a sentence or two explaining how your game implements the game jam theme.  I was hoping that players would be able to figure out from playing how the theme fits in, because I think that's part of the fun of creativity, but unfortunately, due to this low-effort spamming, I think this is a necessary step at this time.  Players are still free to NOT look at that part, if they want to determine the theme fit for themselves.

As I mentioned, I will be removing any games already submitted that appear to be spam.  Normally I would have left them, because it was my fault for not announcing this move at the beginning, but I think that it's generally a pretty deliberate decision to spam, so if you did it, you probably knew better. Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I have noticed what appears to be spam submissions to the practice jams.  Games are submitted within a day or two of the theme announced, AND they are submitted to multiple jams.

That violates the spirit of the jams, and is not what they are for.  Going forward, and taking into account any games that have already been submitted, your game must meet the following guidelines:

1. You must only submit them to this current practice jam (you can still submit to both ranked and unranked).  

2. You must include in your game description a sentence or two explaining how your game implements the game jam theme.  I was hoping that players would be able to figure out from playing how the theme fits in, because I think that's part of the fun of creativity, but unfortunately, due to this low-effort spamming, I think this is a necessary step at this time.  Players are still free to NOT look at that part, if they want to determine the theme fit for themselves.

As I mentioned, I will be removing any games already submitted that appear to be spam.  Normally I would have left them, because it was my fault for not announcing this move at the beginning, but I think that it's generally a pretty deliberate decision to spam, so if you did it, you probably knew better. Thanks!

Hello!  The jam started yesterday.  Submissions are due in 6 days, but the theme is already revealed so that you can begin work on your game.  Does that clear up the confusion?  Sorry if I was being unclear!

That slithering is freakin creepy!  Really great concept.  I don't know if it's just me, but have you ever played any of the Shin Megami Tensei games?  The music kind of reminds me of some of the areas in those games.  Maybe like this one? 

Kinda has that same sense of forboding!

Thanks so much!  Sorry for the late response...was away this weekend and didn't really check in.  I'll be going back and looking at submissions from the last jam, looking forward to playing yours!

Hi guys!  Instructions got a bit cut off on the page.  Here they are (you need to press Enter to start the game)

Controls:

- Move mouse to aim archer

- Space bar/mouse click to shoot

- X button to detonate single-use bug bomb

Press Enter to start!  Good luck!

Yep!  You can submit the same game to both

Hi everyone, 

 Since Itch.io was down when the theme was to be announced, I will be adding some extra time for everyone to make up for the downtime.

Hi everyone, 

Since Itch.io was down when the theme was to be announced, I will be adding some extra time for everyone to make up for the downtime.

Theme: You only get one

Thanks for posting it, Ace!  Updating the jam pages, should be done shortly.

I like the idea here!  

Wow, great puzzler! Very nice tutorial/guidance, and I think this has a great amount of potential for a full game!

Interesting concept!  I wasn't sure about what I was doing at first, but now that I see some of the other comments and played around with it a bit, I'm intrigued about your vision for this!

lol what in the world....how did you come up with this idea?  And then the riff on C++!  This is a really fun game, but as I look back at my flock drowning in a pool of lava, I feel like maybe I'm not the best shepherd.....

Simple concept, hard to master, fun to play!  I'd love to see a bigger screen, as it was a bit hard to dodge.  Stinkin' sharks!