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THE ROLL-AND-WRITE GLOBAL-JAM
September 1, 2018 - September 8, 2018
WHAT IS THE ROLL-AND-WRITE GLOBAL-JAM?
The Roll-and-Write Global-Jam is an online game-design event, where participants are challenged to make a simple game in the roll-and-write genre. It’s open to all – people of every background and every level of game design experience. Simply return to this page for the jam requirements, once the event begins on the 1st of September, and then get making! If you’ve never made a game before, the Roll-and-Write Global-Jam is an opportunity to give game-making a try. If you’ve got plenty of game designs under your belt, then the Jam will provide you with some stimulating thematic and practical limitations to design within.
WHAT IS A ROLL-AND-WRITE?
Roll-and-write games, also simply called ‘roll-and-writes’, are tabletop games which are exactly as they say on the tin: players roll dice and then use the results to write on a sheet of paper. Although the description works, it does not do the genre any justice! The underlying idea of roll-and-writes is that every decision you make is permanent and often players need to push their luck to get the winning score.
For a more detailed answer, inspiration, and links to some free printable roll-and-writes, head over to this page.
WHO CAN TAKE PART?
Anybody, as long as you have access to paper, pencils, dice, and players! Simply come back to this site once the Jam goes live to gather the details on the game requirements. We would like to specifically extend the invitation for this jam to women, designers of colour, LGBTQIA+ designers, and – of course – beginning and experienced designers of any background.
WHAT IS THE TIME-FRAME?
The designing part of the game jam will take place from the 1st of September to the 8th of September. If you can put aside a few evenings during this period, you too can make a game for the jam!
Then judging and collecting feedback will be done from the 9th of September till the 20th of September. On the 23rd of September, we will reveal the games we thought were the most interesting, most creative, most unique, most innovative, or most challenging.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR GAMES?
Yes! There will be component and thematic limitations. These will be announced on the 1st of September. In terms of game submissions, games do need to be a complete design, but do not need final visuals. Entrants will need to submit the rulebook and play sheets for their games, preferably as downloadable PDFs.
WHO IS JUDGING THE ENTRIES?
We have a varied panel of judges:
- Boardgame Minimalist is a reviewer and content creator specialising in solo games and two-player games, as well as a roll-and-write enthusiast.
- Robin David is the designer of the award-winning Movable Type and several roll-and-write games such as Ada Lovelace: Consulting Mathematician, and the upcoming Spiel 2018 release Tag City.
- Fiona and Amy of The Game Shelf are prolific tabletop content creators who are not afraid to let their two opinions meet on a diverse range of tabletop games. As a board gaming couple, they specialise at low player counts, mostly two-player games.
- Derik Duley describes himself as “Lover of God, Nicole, and games! Designer and developer at Lagniappe Games, and the man behind the recent roll and write game Ancient Artifacts.”
- Joey Schouten is a tabletop game designer who does research into roll-and-write games when not designing games or playtesting for the roll-and-write community.
WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE WINNING ENTRIES?
More prizes to be announced! As it currently stands, first place will receive a copy of the new roll-and-write, Tag City (after it has been released at Essen 2018) and a copy of Movable Type: Second Edition.
Second and Third place will win copies of Movable Type.
And of course, everybody who enters will have the prestige of being part of the game jam! Judges comments will also be shared with individual entrants.
WHERE CAN I SEND MY QUESTIONS?
The organisers behind The Roll and Write Global Jam are Robin David and Joey Schouten. Feel free to email either of them with any questions.