Update: We now have a Discord Server! Feel free to join to ask questions, find others to work with, or chat about your project.

Between various events, the world has been sinking into dark times these past few years. All it takes is a single light to fight the darkness. Imagine what will happen if we gather several lights together? We can do this now, through the power of positive, comforting, and lighthearted TTRPGs.

Games have the power to influence emotions. Whether it's a solo game that empowers a player through visualization and journaling or a multiplayer game that gets players to laugh with silly interactions, games can help turn a person's day around. So let's see if we can gather some of our most uplifting games into one place! 

After the jam is over, I would like to make a Light in the Darkness Bundle. Money will be split equally between all creators involved. Since Itch is weird with its payment system, it's possible that not all games will make it into the bundle. The ranks will help me decide what ones make it in, though I'll have final say.

Rules

All entries to this jam must:

1. Be a TTRPG. I'm not going to break out the old debate on what makes a TTRPG a true Tabletop Roleplaying Game. Use your best judgement, and please leave your video games at the door.
2. Be uplifting, comforting, positive, or lighthearted in some way. We're talking a cool breeze on a hot summer day, a warm light at the end of a long dark tunnel, a loving hug during hard times, laughing so hard your drink comes out your nose type of feel good.
3. Be your own creation. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. To put it simply, Swiper no swiping!
4. Not promote hatred, violence, etc towards any group of people. I'm sure you can find a different jam for that, but it's not this one.
5. Be accessible for free during the ranking process. This ensures that all games can be ranked. You can use Community Copies or as a (limited time) PWYW, whatever works best for you and your creation.

You can:

1. Submit multiple games. The more, the merrier!
2. Work individually, in pairs, or in teams.  Just create something positive.
3. Submit old and new games. Old candles tested tried and true can light up the darkness as can shiny new LEDs.
4. Have your game set as paid or PWYW. I recommend paid because you're putting work and time into this, but that's up to you.
5. Make your game any length. Tealights, flashlights, bonfires - they're all sources of light... though I might have to skim through small novels.

Themes/Examples

The only set theme is what's already been said: 

• Comforting
• Lighthearted
• Positive
• Uplifting
• However else a game can convey a light in the darkness. 

Here are some examples of what I mean:

1. Everyday Enchanter by ✨Beth Jackson
2. Long Rest by C. R. Legge
3. So You're in a Tavern by Live Real Productions
4. Loving Accountability by Carla Kopp, Weird Giraffe Games
5. Enchanted Blend by Lucky Newt Games

If you need a subtheme, it can be:

• Candles
• Bonfires
• Light pushing against Darkness

Just be sure to keep your focus on the main theme. 

Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to seeing what you create!

Small Personal Note

Full confession, I have a bit of a selfish reason for running this jam. I love games that help with mental health. Whether they bring comfort or laughs, I just enjoy games that make me smile or think or both. Between things that have occurred in my family's personal lives and events in the US and abroad, I have felt an almost desperate need for these types of games for the last few weeks now. I can't imagine I'm the only one who has been feeling this need, so I hope revisiting old games and creating new ones will help your mental health, too. And maybe we can create something special, together, to bring a bit of light with the bundle.