Time for the creatures of the night to run the show. Howl at the moon, sharpen your claws, and let those fangs sink in. Let There Be MONSTERS!
With Halloween coming soon, now seemed to be the best time to start getting into the spooky mood. I have a craving, a devious hunger to play a game where I can be a freakish creature! Vampires, robots, were-rats, or parasites that possess humans. The sky is the limit! Let's have a frighteningly good time whether it be Gothic horror about the loss of humanity or Mothman playing basketball.
You have about 2 months to participate in this jam: September 9th to November 3rd (EST).
SUBMISSION:
Submissions must be a game or a pre-written adventure to an existing system. While this jam is intended for TTRPG makers, this jam is open to all types of game makers. TTRPGs, video games, text adventures, etc.
Please leave your submission as game as free or PWYW for the duration of the Jam or leave an ample amount of community copies. It is ok to submit late. The time is there for a rough window, but if you start something there is no shame to finish it.
RULES:
1. The game must focus on players be a literal monster like a werewolf or vampire. This is a creature feature, not just a serial killer. It is ok to have the PCs have a human passing form.
2. No Generative AI must be used during the creation of these games in any form. Even for the ideation stage. This is a challenge for human creativity. Any use of LLM will be removed.
3. No hate speech, bigotry, . Multiple submissions are allowed and encouraged.
4. Use content that either you created or has an open license/under creative commons.
5. Have fun!
FAQ
1. What do you count as a "monster"?
The term nebulous on purpose, so there is no limits on creativity. Sentient non-human is the baseline definition, though this is vague.
I know that could mean a lot of things, like a game of talking mice count as "sentient non human". Fantasy races like elves, dwarves and orcs technically count, even though most people would not call an elf a "monster".
When I think monster I think werewolves, vampires, aliens, the creature in the lake. But I invite people to go for weirder! Like a three eyes lizard covered in fur. A swarm of insects possessing a dog. A person whose skin is brittle like an eggshell and bleeds chromatic blood. Ultimately, it is up to your interpretation of the prompt. I am just here to offer a silly challenge for a good time.
2. You talk about TTRPG a lot, but I am someone who makes video games. Can I join?
Yes, you can! Honestly if someone makes a video game for this jam, I am going to think they are very cool.
I am just familiar with making TTRPGS and talk to that community a lot. This isn't a competition so just have fun and make things!
3. Can I charge for my games?
Creating any form of art takes work. You charge for your projects and reward your efforts!
I just ask that for the time period the Jam is up that you leave your game as free or PWYW or leave an ample amount of community copies. I want to be able to see what is made.
4. Do I have to do this solo?
You can do it with a team as many people as you want.
5. I had an idea from a previous jam that would fit here. Can I use it?
There is no shame in idea necromancy. Scope creep is real and gets the best of us. You can use old ideas/WIPs you are working on.
6. Do I have to make my own original system for this?
No, you do not need to make an original game system. There are plenty of systems you can adapt for this prompt. Look at resources!
RESOURCES:
SRDS and ART:
Starshine's masterpost below puts any list I would make to shame. It contains stock art, SRDS, guides to formatting and everything a TTRPG maker needs! Check it out here: Starshine Scribbles Masterpost
Ironsworn is the one SRD I did not find in the master post but it is a great system for single player and group games! Tomkin Press: Ironsworn
POSE REFERENCES:
Adorkastock: https://www.adorkastock.com/
TrueRef: https://trueref.io/
SAFETY TOOLS:
Monsters and horror often come hand in hand. Below are safety tools you can provide in your game if you wish.
DramaDice: https://www.dramadice.com/gm-tips/safety-tools-for-tabletop-rpgs/
Beau Jágr Sheldon: Script Change
Patrick O’Leary: CATS
Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk's curated TTRPG Safety Tool Kit: https://ttrpgsafetytoolkit.com/
OPTIONAL FRIGHTENING CHALLEGES:
Spotlight on the Forsaken: Use an uncommon monster such as Trolls, Slimes, or Gorgons.
It's a Graveyard Smash: Focus on a variety of monsters instead of one.
Monster Mash-up: Make the game focus on another genre like sports movie or noir instead of typical fantasy and horror.
Cursed beauty: Make a "fantasy race" more monstrous i.e have elves eat magic from living beings and let rings grow on their skin like trees do.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT ME:
If you have any questions you can post in community or contact me at my bluesky @furyale.bsky.social