You are already in an [[alternative reality]] game. You have been playing it your whole life. It has weather, people, rankings, transit systems of varying reliability… and no clear win condition. It has been extremely online for the past couple seasons.
[[alternative reality]]: WEEK! takes this situation seriously. For two weeks in March, we welcome game creators and players across time zones to make and play games that spill out of the screen and into the IRL world.
Initiated by Shanghai-based translocal game collective [[rect*]] repair and friends. Supported by morning.fyi. Created by your participation.
░░▒▒▓▓ ██████ about JAM! ██████ ▓▓▒▒░░
"Wait, do you mean augmented reality (AR)?"
Nope!
"Do you mean alternate reality game (ARG)?"
...well, kind of! Alternative, as in alternative games, alternative tech, alternative media, alternative infrastructure: another, perhaps more radical way of engaging with what's already here. We're inspired by practices including alternate reality games, pervasive games, urban games, LARPs, immersive theater, etc., but we're not precious about genre.
The game jam is from March 21–25, with a kickoff event on Saturday, March 21st. The goal is to design playful experiences that combine game mechanics with the real world. No-tech, low-tech, or high-tech all welcome.
░░▒▒▓▓ ██████ 📅 Timeline ██████ ▓▓▒▒░░
Mar 21–25 [[alternative reality]]: JAM!
Mar 21 Game jam launch event (IRL + online) · UTC 12:00
Mar 25 Game jam submissions due on itch
Mar 28+ [[alternative reality]]: PLAY!
Mar 28–29 Host and play games that has been made. (More details about how to host a game, find players, or join a play session, on discord)
░░▒▒▓▓ ██████ 📏Rules ██████ ▓▓▒▒░░
→ should not be a fully digital game: some portion/all of the game needs be played in the physical world .𖥔 ݁ ˖ `♡´
→ touch grass 𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
→ be respectful and have fun･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ.
░░▒▒▓▓ ██████ IRL Nodes ██████ ▓▓▒▒░░
We are hosting this jam both online and IRL.
Organizers in the following cities are hosting IRL jam + play events. Join the discord and go to your city's channel for details.
| City | IRL events dates | Timezone | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai |
2 day game jam (21 - 22 March) + playtest weekend (28 - 29th March) | UTC+8 | [[rect*]]repair |
| Tokyo | 1 day game jam (21st March) + playtest session (28th March) | UTC+9 | Farfama + Kaho (Gaemz) |
| London | 1 day game jam (21st March) + playtest session (28th March) | UTC+0 | playfool |
| Taipei | 1 day game jam (21st March)
+ playtest session (28th March) | UTC+8 | ferran |
| The Hague | 1 day game jam (21st March) + playtest session (29th March or later) | UTC+1 | Jana Romanova |
| NYC (pending) | UTC-5 | TBD |
Not near any of these cities? You're still invited to join the JAM remotely! Join discord to participate in general game-dev discussions, self-organize with people in your city, form a team online, or work alone.
░░▒▒▓▓ ██████ 🯄FAQ ██████ ▓▓▒▒░░
What counts as an [[alternative reality]] game?
Our definition is broader than the traditional "ARG" — any experience that combines game mechanisms and real-world elements as part of its design. Think: GPS, maps, websites, social media, texting, physical locations, role-playing, puzzles, public transport, parcels, QR codes, city infrastructures, and more.
What tools or skills do I need?
Go no-tech, low-tech, or high-tech. You might use printed materials, websites, social media accounts, online forums, Google Calendar, NFC tags, audio recordings… everything honestly, or just clever use of public spaces.
How do I participate if I'm not in a node city?
You can make and play games from anywhere, and submit directly via itch.io! To find a team or collaborator — in your city or across time zones — join the matchmaking in our discord.
Can I work alone or in teams?
Both are equally welcome! We'd love to see teams form across countries, creating games that require cooperation between multiple cities — but solo work is just as great.
What format should my submission be?
Your itch.io submission should include:
-> Instructions page: Clear description of what game master/hosts & players need (location, materials, number of players, approximate playtime, etc.)
->A play mode declaration (see below)
->Any necessary files or links
*We would encourage "pickup and play" games — well documented so anyone can join without you (the designer) present.
What happens after submission? Will my game be played?
That depends on the play mode you select upon submission:
- I have to host: You host your own game. Recruit players via discord and organize your own sessions.
- Pickup and play (needs GM): Your game needs facilitation by someone but is clearly documented enough for others to run without you.
- Pickup and play (no GM): Your game can be played by the players without any facilitation.
What if I can't finish my game?
You can still submit later and self-organize play on your own timeline. Unfinished work and prototypes are welcome in the archive.
Can I join PLAY! without joining JAM!?
Yes! PLAY! is open to everyone. Details on how to play games in discord.
░░▒▒▓▓ ██████ Inspirations ██████ ▓▓▒▒░░
Some of our favourite examples include:
- google map shacks by Simon Weckert
- Geo Wizard
- A holiday from being human (GoatMan) by Thomas Thwaites
- bop-spotter by Riley Walz
You might also be interested in more classic ARG examples that had longer production timeline and some sort of grand worldbuilding like:
- wiki ARGs
- Location based games
- the jejune institute
- Uncle Roy All Around You by Blast Theory
- welcometonightvale.com/
- Geocaching
...
Here are more ideas/diversifiers:
- "hyper-local": The entire game takes place within a single city block.
- "the long game": a game intended to be played for over a year.
- "the flash game": a game that must be complated in 10 minutes.
- "translocal": a game that requires collaboration or competition between players in two different time zones or hemispheres to be completed.
- “cross-border”: collaborate with a designer from another country.
- "weather-report": use weather as a game element.
- "synchronicity": a game that can only be played at a specific location at a specific time.
- "ubiquity": a game designed to be played in multiple places around the world.
- "public props": incorporate public objects into your mechanics: poles, trash bins, transit systems, license plates, bollards, road signs, water tanks, POS machines...
- "flora & fauna": use the more natural part of the city flowers, trees, animals, animal tracks, public art, statues..
- "access-denied": using controlled areas that requires ID cards, keys, memberships..
- "dead zones": center the game on "invisible" infrastructure: signal dead zones, utility grids (water/power), waste routes, trash sites...
- "open source": use public information: time schedules, notice boards, warning signs, graffiti / flyers, menu, ads, guides, maps, people’s clothing, public APIs.
- "forgotten city": make people visit abandoned places (legally)
- "urban outfitter": utilize everyday places - convenient stores, realtors, parks, gyms, restaurants, restrooms, parking lot...
- "death stranding": focusing on actions in urban spaces - traversing, observing, sleeping, shopping, roleplaying, acting, searching, delivery, meet up/gathering, following/stalking, talking, walking, jogging, giving a speech, haggling, walking/cycling speed...
- "the S&P 500": base your game mechanics on local prices/socioeconomic facators such as local rent, real estate, gas prices, food prices, salary levels...
- “rogue-like": gamifying a daily routine
- "the MMO": a game that requires more than 10 people to participate.
- "add friend": a game specifically for strangers to become friends.
- "youtube IRL": pay tribute to an old internet legend ARG you only watched on youtube but never played.
- "urban legend": a game that becomes an urban legend.
- "IRL port": recreate your favorite game (genre) IRL.
- "prankser": successfully prank an online community.
- ”the historian": create fictional company/game/history
- "the influencer": make something viral/trending
- "LARP": make a LARP
- "Olympics": make a new sport
...
░░▒▒▓▓ ██████ Resources & Tools ██████ ▓▓▒▒░░
Curated toolkit of tech related, hardware suggestions, and more game/artwork references:
[[alternative reality]]:JAM! kit(WIP)
------------------------- Community Statement -------------------------
Intellectual property: All IP of games made during this event belongs to the game maker(s). We keep an archive of all submissions.
Content guidelines: Organizers reserve the right to exclude submissions that contain hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate content.
Safety disclaimer: If your game involves activities in public spaces, please consider the physical safety of players and bystanders — and include clear safety notes in your game instructions. 🧡
This jam is made possible thanks to the help of our friends: playfool, ferran, jana, kaho, farfama and more.