The Bare-Bones Jam

Games Stripped to the Bone

Have you ever wanted to create a game, but felt overwhelmed by the visual aspects? Or wished you didn't need to edit the UI? 

This jam is for you!

The Bare-Bones Jam is a month-long game jam for text-based games where you cannot change the formatting of the chosen program. Not only are graphics prohibited, but so is changing the interface or presentation in any way from the engine defaults.

During the jam, the focus is on the text only.
After the jam, do whatever you like with your game.

This jam was inspired by the Naked Twine Jam from 2014, but it is not restricted to twine. Previous editions: 2023, 2024

Constraints and Rules:

• You cannot make changes to the visual of the game, and must keep the basic UI and formatting of the chosen program.
  • This rule doesn't apply to basic text formatting (italics, bold, underline, etc...), lists and tables.
• Games should not include assets, like images or sound - the focus should be on the text only.
• Games should not include any generated AI content (incl. Cover Image/Game Page). Entries using AI/LLM will be removed.
  
• The Jam is open to any program/medium, as long as the piece can be considered Interactive Fiction (i.e. the game is interactive, and its focus is on the text).
• The Jam is open to any language.
• The Jam is open to NSFW content, as long as you indicate it in your submission (in the Content Warning of the form).
• Spam or hateful content will be removed!
• During the duration of the jam and the two weeks following the deadline, the submissions should be free to play.
• You can submit up to 3 entries!
  • You should aim for a 15-30min maximum gameplay.

Possible Softwares to create Interactive Fiction:

• Primarily HyperText/Choice-Based: Twine,  Ink, ChoiceScript, Dendry
• Primarily Parser/Input: Inform 6, Inform 7, PunyInform, Adventuron, ADRIFT
• Other: Bitsy, Binksi, Ren'Py
• and many more can be found listed in the IF Wiki.

Share this Jam on Tumblr (#barebonesjam)- Join our Discord - Discuss on the IntFic Forum

At the end of the Jam, we will create an IFDB page for every entry. The IFDB, or Interactive Fiction Database, is an IF game information catalogue, creating a historical record of the IF landscape. You can also create this page yourself before the end of the Jam! Contact the organisers by dms for questions or if you'd rather not be included.

You can also opt-in to see your entry submitted to the IF Archive (the entry will be playable from its IFDB page) or submit it yourself!