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Comment on the rules...

A topic by perpatima created Dec 14, 2022 Views: 116 Replies: 2
Viewing posts 1 to 2
(-5)

I just want to get out of the way that I completely agree with all of the rules, but I feel that many are plain unnecessary (unless the past game jam caused the rules to be implemented), and I'd suggest leaving them off, not because they're bad rules, but because they're obvious.

Firstly, "Table top RPGs only," of course this is only for tabletop games, if you talk about D&D, of course it's tabletop.

Secondly, "No Nazis, terfs, bigots, etc." I understand what you're going for when saying this, but like, come on man. This is extremely unnecessary and it feels very forced. I remember on a different online community of game designers coming across a tabletop sci-fi RPG, and in the instruction guide it said, "This game is meant for a specific audience only, if you are a Nazi, homophobic, transphobic, racist, or any form of bigotry, get a therapist and fix your mess of a life." No joke. I understand that feeling of wanting to share your frustration with politics at the moment, but I really suggest removing that because it makes you look like you have a specific agenda in mind when running the jam, it doesn't matter if it's a socially accepted view (for clarity I agree with your statement), putting that kind of thing makes it seem like you are not here to run a genuine fun event, and that really sucks because I can see that this Jam is created out of passion.

If I were you, I would change the rule to, "Any form of indecency or harmful political intent is prohibited," or just flat out remove the rule because it's really not a necessary rule to have, it's obvious when something has a harmful political agenda, and you don't need a rule to stop those people, those people would be breaking the guidelines set up by Itch.io (look at community guidelines - rule 1 and 2).

Host(+5)

"it makes you look like you have a specific agenda in mind when running the jam"

I do have a specific agenda here and it's very plainly stated. If people are offended by this statement I don't want them included. End of discussion.

The specification of tabletop only is because on itch jams always get a lot of video game submissions. Moderating that is easier if the rules are clear.

if you don't like the way the rules are stated, you're welcome to simply not take part.

(1 edit)

I see what you mean and (with this elaboration) agree.

I made a mistake for that specific quoted piece of my comment, I was meaning to say it was a political agenda that this Jam appeared to have. Now that you have explained that this is a piece of commentary you want to say in the Jam, the rule being put in place makes sense, it's just (without that context) feels slapped on.

For the specification of the tabletop submissions, I can see why now. I'm mostly a video game developer and I would expect that people would be able to differentiate a tabletop jam from a videogame jam, but of course it's convenient to lay it out like that.

Either way, thanks for your reply, sorry for making it look like I'm just shitting on something for no reason, I think this jam is really cool.