A Quick Intro

Brian and Ty are veteran RPG players and designers who have been in the industry for a combined 30 years or so. Both of them want to see new stories and voices in the world, which led to the creation of Grassroots.

What is Grassroots?

Grassroots started as a way to revive an old TTRPG game jam from the mid 2000s. It exists to elevate new TTRPG voices, and create space for weird, fun, and exciting new stories. 

The Jam Rules

Participants will submit a 500-600 word Analog Role Playing Game. The form of the game is up to you. It can be a stand alone rule set, a module for an existing system, or a fun add-on for another RPG. 

Participants will be given a number of themes, elements, and mechanics. Game submissions should use at least one of each, but using multiples is encouraged. Judging will primarily focus on playability and enjoyability, but use of themes, elements, and mechanics will also be judged.

Themes are high level ideas, overarching and central to the action of the game.

Elements are smaller thematic touchpoints that participants can use to flavor their game.

Mechanics are the nuts and bolts of how players play the game, like rolling dice and stuff.

Submissions

Themes, Elements, and Mechanics will be announced on  December 4th, 2025 and the jam will run from December 5th through December 15th. All submission must be submitted by December 15th.  

Judging

Entries will be judged after the deadline. Judges will be announced closer to the jam date. Winners will be announced by the end of January. The top 4 submissions will have the option to participate in the Grassroots 2026 Zinequest and have their game published in a 16 page Zine. 

Questions? 

If you have any questions, please email grassrootsgamejam@gmail.com or join (https://discord.gg/uTKC9XFaY8) and tag @imadjinn or @kingbee.