WELCOME to the.....

A jam hosted by me, Ash!

RPG Maker MV, MZ or other RM engine collecting dust?
Bring out your engines - and let's kick things up a notch with a 3D game jam!

Please read the following sections to learn more!

Let's continue to build an environment in which old and new developers alike can create! To allow plenty of time for development, the submission phase is an entire month long; However, you can join and begin preparing your entry NOW.

The long development window helps developers conceive more ambitious projects, and gives others more time to consider their ideas  Please take your time in crafting an experience that you want to share!

In addition, newer users of the engine will find the extra time helpful as they navigate the powerful development tool, while gaining knowledge and feedback about their project in the community if they choose!

There are only seven rules!

ONE -- CREATION. The first goal is to get experienced as well as brand new engine users to create works, and continue strengthening the community.

TWO -- PRESENTATION AND FEEDBACK. The second goal is to create presentations in video format that will encourage and empower developers -- every qualifying submission will be featured in a Let's-Play style video (or videos) and the dev will see a genuine first impression!

This year there is a special challenge!:

PACT WITH A PATRON

The game's central theme, or MAJOR part of its story, is that a character has made a deal with a supernatural being of some sort.  They have received a granting of a wish in exchange for servitude.  This may sound sinister, but it need not be; here are just a few ways to create or make use of this scenario!
A fantasy warlock draws their magic from a patron deity, using it for good (or evil).
Kids discover a hole in their yard, feeding it progressively larger bodies (um...).
A man promises a spirit he'll never tell of his meeting with her...
A devout follower prays for power, receiving it to betterthemselves...at what cost?
A woman buys a trinket at an antique store, a cursed object...
As long as a bargain is struck and one side is otherworldly, your concept is ready!

There are seven rules your submission must follow to participate!

1.  Your submission must be made using an RPG Maker engine (such as MV, MZ etc) and MUST use a plugin to make the work 3D (MV3D, MZ3D, Rose Engine etc).   Any RPG Maker engine is eligible for this jam AS LONG AS THE RESULTANT GAME IS 3D.

2.  Your work must be completely original for the jam. It cannot have been published elsewhere and may not contain the frameworks of previous games.  Please create a NEW project!

3.  Your submission to the jam must remain free and accessible.

4.  You must either own or have permission to use all of the assets that are contained within your game. Default assets, official DLC, and your own created assets are OK. Third party asset packs that you have the license or ownership to use are OK. (Exception: Do not use ANYTHING generated using AI, and do not use CC-BY licensed music.)

5.  Agree to allow the game to be played on video platforms. I, Ash (and possibly other judges!) will play your game for a video platform such as YouTube, Twitch, etc... by submitting, you agree to allow the gameplay footage to be published!

6. Pledge to not use AI. You as a participant must pledge to have not used AI assets in your submission, and agree that all assets used are, to the best of your knowledge, not created using generative AI.  This includes all visuals and audio as well as plugin code.  This is growing increasingly difficult to enforce, so unfortunately, if I even suspect AI was used, the entry will be disqualified.

7.  Follow Community Guidelines: ANYONE found guilty of harassing ANY participant of the jam and compromising my mission to provide a safe, engaging and fun event will be barred from participation in ANY future event that I host, associated Discords, and won't have their content played on the channel.   Please be awesome!

The host (me) is a human, not a robot -- so lease DON'T skirt or test the rules, but feel free to ask questions before the submission period ends, so you have time to revise your project if necessary.  After the judgement period begins, participants who have submissions disqualified will not be given a chance to re-enter revised work!

The Jam has three periods - Join, Submission, and Judgement. All times and dates are listed above at the top of this page.  A timer will assist in counting down how much time is left for each period, and it will be relevant to your time zone.

Please note, that if the jam gets a very large amount of submissions, more time may be granted for the judgement phase. This decision will be at the host's sole discretion.

If you want to JOIN and SUBMIT on the same day, it's OK.  You can submit ANY TIME during the submission period, even re-submitting if you've updated your game, as long as it is within the submission period.

To determine the prize winners at the end of the judgement period, each work will be judged in the categories of Fun Factor, Game Design,  Game Narrative, and Theme Presence.

During the judgement phase, all submission pages will be locked, meaning you won't be able to upload edits' please be mindful of this!  Once judgement ends, your project page is unlocked for your use again!

Judgement will be done by host and / or panel of judges -- there is NO COMMUNITY VOTING for this jam.

ALL qualifying participants of this jam will receive:

A video or series of videos by AmalgamAsh playing their submission on YouTube; feedback, first impressions and Let's Play all inclusive.

The winner of this jam will receive:

Special recognition as the winner of the jam.

Watch this space for prize updates, and get in touch if you'd like to sponsor!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  SOMETIMES ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q.  Can I start working on my game now? A. Yes! 

Q.  I don't have time - can I submit my game unfinished or WIP state?  A.  Yes!!  Please consider submitting instead of not!

Q.  If I miss the submission deadline by a few seconds, can you let me submit?  A.  No; the deadline is firm, so please prepare accordingly!

Q. I made a battle system, crafting system, entire world etc. for a past game, can I use my frameworks in a new game for this jam?   A. Please do not use an existing game project as a template for your submission (unless it is one from the game engine's library)!

Q. Can I use plugins?  A.  Yes, you can use plugins for this event.

Q.  Are Non-English Games OK to submit?  A. Please submit games in English. (DeepL, machine or other translation method is fine!)

Q.  Can I collaborate with someone else to make my game?  Can we submit as a group?   A.  Collaborations, teams and group projects are fine!  Each separate participant is also allowed to submit their own project, even if they helped with someone else's!

Q. Are NSFW games OK to submit?  A.  No NSFW content is allowed for this jam.

Q. I bought (or got for free) third-party assets, such as plugins, characters, tools, animations, models, or music.  Can I use them in my game?  A.  Please be sure that the seller has authorized the use of their assets in your project.  There should be explicit permission from them to use it, on the page where you buy the assets, or it will be included with them.  Works with a CC0 or Public Domain license are best.  If you are not certain, you can ask me (Ash)!

An AmalgamAsh Studios, LLC event.