CARD SYSTEM GAME JAM #1

Design a card game. Not a board game with cards. Not a party game with cards.

A card system. Something expandable. Something replayable. Something interesting.

This jam is dedicated to:

• Trading Card Games (TCG)
• Collectible Card Games (CCG)
• Deckbuilding Games (DBG)
• Living Card Games (LCG)
• Expandable Card Games (ECG)

Physical, printable, experimental, strange, minimal; all welcome.

Theme

There is no required theme.

If you need inspiration:

• Try something experimental
• Try something unconventional
• Try a mechanic you’ve never seen before

Surprise us.

Dates

Start: March 1, 2026          End: May 31, 2026
But If anyone needs more time, let us know.

What You Can Make

Accepted formats:

• Print and Play (preferred)
• PlayingCards.io
• Online platforms (Tabletop Simulator, etc...)

PnP designs are especially encouraged, but not required.

Rules

You may submit:

• Complete games
• Playable prototypes

You may work:

• Solo
• In teams

You may use:

• Pre-existing assets
• Templates
• Stock art or public domain material
• Please consider not using AI; we are all humans here.

Focus on the design. Polish is optional.

Submission Requirements

Your submission should include:

Required:

• A PDF of the cards (simple printing format recommended)
• A rules document

Optional but encouraged:

• Printer-friendly version
• Play-through video
• Photos or screenshots

Make it possible for others to understand and try your game.

Pricing

Your game may be:

• Free
• Paid

If your game is paid, please consider:

• Providing community copies
• Offering a demo or reduced version

This helps other participants experience your work.

Judging

There is no ranking and no winners.

This jam exists to:

• Share ideas
• Test mechanics
• Inspire designers

If you want a challenge, try something really out of the box.

Spirit of the Jam

This jam is about:

• Mechanics over polish
• Creativity over perfection
• Systems over presentation

Rough edges are fine. Weird ideas are welcome. Make something playable.