Every adventure starts somewhere.

First Step is a one month TTRPG game jam celebrating new journeys - both in the stories you tell and in your own creative path. Maybe your game follows a traveler leaving home for the first time, an explorer crossing into the unknown, or a group of heroes setting out together. Or maybe it’s just about your first time designing something of your own.

Who is this jam for?

This jam is open to everyone, and especially welcoming to first-time designers!

If you’ve never made a TTRPG before, this is the perfect chance to start. You don’t need fancy tools or prior experience. You just need an idea, a way to write it down, and a little curiosity. I'd like to foster a friendly community to support each other throughout the jam, so you can ask questions, share progress, get feedback, or just hang out and co-work during jam streams over on Twitch.

What should I make?

The theme for the jam is 'first steps and new journeys', and you can interpret it or take inspiration from it however you'd like! This jam encourages the submission of microgames and one-page TTRPGs - short, creative designs that fit on a single page or take just a few minutes to play. You're welcome to make something longer, or to submit more than one game. Any format is welcome: rules-light, dice-heavy, card-based, journaling, multi-player or solo. It's all on the table(top)!

How do I get started?

If you want to take part but aren't sure how to get started, then feel free to join my discord server, where there's a game jam channel where you can ask questions, discuss your progress, share thoughts, or just chat, as well as a voice channel for coworking. Plus, join me for coworking streams over on Twitch where you're welcome to ask questions, seek advice, share your plans, and hang out and work!

You can also find me on bluesky where I'm always happy to chat about things, and help out where I can! Once the jam is over, I'll also be showcasing people's games on stream.

Rules

• This game jam is for physical/tabletop games only.
• All submissions must be completed during the jam. You may not submit previously completed games.
• Absolutely no genAI is allowed, whether for text, images, or other purposes in submitted games.
• We encourage, but do not require, games to be available for free upon completion.
• Entries with NSFW themes or imagery are welcome, but must be clearly marked.

This game jam is run by starling, aka becs (they/them). Got questions? Feel free to reach out on bluesky!