CANCELED DUE TO LACK OF ENTRIES

We might try again next year, folks! Stay tuned.

Overview

Want to win a prize basket for making a cool text-based game? Well, look no further! Framingham State's Center for Digital Humanities and Gaming Club are collaborating on their very first Twinery game jam! Compete with others for a chance to win a basket full of mysterious gaming-related goodies!

Some quick notes:

• This game jam is themed and we ask that entries adhere to this theme. We will not announce the theme until the game jam starts.
• This game jam is open to all FSU students.
• Please read the rules and judging criteria so you know exactly what we're looking for.
• Make sure to click on the community tab and fill out the form if you want to work in a team (recommended).
• If you have any questions about the game jam, don't hesitate to reach out to ssagan@framingham.edu or gaming@framingham.edu.

We look forward to seeing what amazing creations you'll come up with!

Mystery Theme: ❄️Snow❄️

Schedule

Day	Event
Wednesday, Nov. 15th	Itch.io sign ups open
Monday, Nov. 27th	Theme is announced, game jam starts at 2pm EST
Sunday, Dec. 3rd	Game jam submissions due (no later than 11:59pm)
Monday, Dec. 4th and Tuesday Dec. 5th	Judges vote
Wednesday, Dec. 6th  5pm - 6:30pm	Twinery games are presented, judges announce winner(s) at the CDH Office, located in the Upper Mezzanine of the Whittemore Library. Game creators are encouraged to present their games in the allotted (TBD) time, but judges can present their games for them if they so choose.

Rules

• Submissions MUST be made using Twinery (see: https://twinery.org/ )
• Submissions are accepted between Nov. 27th and Dec. 3rd. Any game submitted before or after these days will not be accepted.
• Game must be original work. Any materials that you used and did not personally create must be properly attributed. Do not use materials you do not have the right to use.
  • Plagiarism will result in an immediate disqualification. 
• Games will not contain hateful, prejudiced, or generally deemed offensive content. PG-13 content is acceptable.
• Game jam participants may work with other FSU students on their submission but they will not receive additional prizes. The prize (a gift basket) will only go to one game jam submission. It is up to the winner(s) to divide the prize if the submission was a collaborative project.
• Alumni are not barred from participating, but only active undergraduate students enrolled at Framingham State University are eligible to win the prize.
• Participants are only allowed to submit one submission. If a participant submits two or more submissions, they must choose only one for entry. This applies to teams as well. Quality is valued over quantity.

Judging criteria

Each item is scored 1 through 10, with 1 being less ideal and 10 being more ideal.

1. Interesting narrative quality and worldbuilding
   1. This criterion evaluates the game's story and the depth of its world. Judges look for a captivating storyline, well-developed characters, and a world that immerses players. Points are awarded for originality and coherence.
   2. A submission that receives a score of 1 in this category lacks a coherent narrative. It might have disjointed or confusing storytelling, flat characters, and a minimal or non-existent game world. The player feels no engagement, and the writing lacks creativity and originality. The text-based experience may be riddled with errors and inconsistencies, leaving the player disinterested and disconnected.
   3. A submission that receives a perfect 10 excels in crafting a captivating, immersive narrative. The storyline is engaging, with well-developed characters and an expansive, believable world described in vivid detail. Players are drawn into the story, experiencing a range of emotions and a strong sense of purpose. The writing is exceptionally creative, original, and error-free. The narrative and worldbuilding seamlessly intertwine, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
2. Adherence to theme (snow)
   1. This criterion assesses how well the game fits the theme of snow. Judges look for creative interpretation, innovation, and theme integration. The theme should impact the language used in the game. Additionally, the theme should not be superficial but deeply woven into the game.
   2. A submission that scores 1 in this category shows minimal effort in incorporating the snow theme. The theme is barely evident or feels tacked on as an afterthought, having no meaningful impact on the game's content. The interpretation of the snow theme is uninspired, and it fails to engage players. It may appear disconnected or irrelevant to the gameplay.
   3. A perfect 10 submission in this category demonstrates a brilliant and innovative interpretation of the game jam theme. The snow theme is seamlessly integrated into the text-based Twinery game, enhancing the gameplay experience. It feels central to the story and mechanics, creatively changing how players interact with the game. The theme is communicated clearly and consistently, and its relevance is evident throughout the game, leaving players thoroughly engaged and impressed.
3. Twenty interactables
   1. Game jam submissions must have a minimum of twenty interactables, which is defined as twenty choices players can make within the game. For example, a player can choose to open a red door or a blue door. Another example is if a player speaks with an NPC and is asked a question, then the player can respond to the question with one of three answers. If a page only offers one option, (meaning it’s not allowing the player to choose) then it does not count as an interactable.
   2. This particular criterion is rated 0 (under ten interactables), 5 (between ten and nineteen interactables), or 10 (twenty or more interactables).