Hi lads!
Just a quick question, what's a general rule on Physical games in game Jams? Should they be avoided unless explicitly allowed or is that more of a whatever tickles your pickle scenario?
Point is, would a TabletopSimulator (or other similar tool) game be allowed in a jam that doesn't disallow it?
It will depend on the rules of each Jam. Some don't set any rules for you. However, in general, the game must be played without problems from the judges or other participants.
If your game is physical, it will be difficult for people to test it and it may not be well received.
Tabletopsimulator is a paid application and that is why it is not a good alternative, because you are forcing people to have or buy Tabletopsimulator in order to try your game.
Many Jams ask that the game be free to try, at least for the Jam.
This is the most common, but each Jam is different, it is best that you consult directly with the organizers of the Jams in which you are interested in uploading your game.
Isn't it ironic that those games are called physical?
Anyways, see the rules of the jam, of course. Better yet, ask them. But I see your conundrum. What if the jam forgot to explicitly mention what most implicitly expect. That it is computer games. If they made the effort, they will mention something about how linux/mac exclusives are forbidden, since not all judges could run it. But would this constitute a pc exclustivity.
If you need special equipment/software to run the game, it most likely will be disqualified, unless the jam was made for that platform. Like that playdate thingy.
One could argue, that you need no equipment for a physical game that is just an pdf, but one could also argue that this was not programmed for the jam, as it is just a written rule set. I could also submit a storyboard or movie instead of a game to crank this up.
