Welcome to the March 2026 Edition of the Eternal TTRPG Jam!
This is a game jam for TTRPG designers to test ideas, experiment with concepts, and maybe find their next big idea! Every month there will be a new Jam with new themes and challenges.
Hosted by Rowan Sender
Come join the Discord!!
There's also the Reddit if you're so inclined.
Theme: Public Domain Month
It's been decided that March is Public Domain Month here at the Eternal Jam! This month, we're making projects based on or using public domain art! You are free to make something inspired by or directly using any public domain art, whether that be the subject of the game itself, the art within, or otherwise.
HERE is a list of public domain works, though it is by no means exhaustive! Beyond written works, there is also public domain visual art. Paintings, statues, ect. generally all use the same rules as written works, though the specific photographs may have their own rights tied to them. Many museums release the photographs of their collections as public domain. Here is a list of just a few of these:
What counts as public domain varies depending on region. I will be using the US definition which is generally the artist's lifetime plus 70 years or 95 years from date of publication for pseudo anonymous works.There are exceptions to this but this is the general rule. Works can also be released under public domain or creative commons licenses by their creators. Creative commons licenses often have stipulations, but for the purposes of this jam, I'd consider such works valid. Just be aware that you will need to follow the artists requirements for use. One thing to keep in mind is that it's often specific versions that are public domain. While the original Winnie the Pooh is public domain, there are many reproductions of that work that may have art that isn't public domain, despite the text within being so. Regardless, it's often in good taste to cite your sources with these kinds of rework projects.
Optional Challenge: Only Public Domain
Create a game using only text and images from public domain works. Whether you choose a specific work and only pull from that one source, or you create a collage project made out of many public domain sources, create something that is entirely public domain work! Use black out poetry, collage, etc. to craft something new out of the pieces of a public work.
Rules
- Your project should be made within the time of the jam. Ideas from before are fine, and it's totally okay to develop after the end, but the bulk of the work should be done during the jam time.
- Keep it short! The point is to not kill yourself on this one project. Loosen up, follow your creativity, and maybe you’ll land somewhere you wouldn’t have otherwise.
- This jam is focused on new games and experimentation. Revisions, updates, and new editions are allowed.
- No AI generation of any kind. Text, images, ideation. None of it. You’re better than that. What are we doing here?
- Charge what you like! I encourage pay-what-you-want, but it’s your call!
- Label adult, NSFW, and violent content appropriately.
FAQ (Presumably)
What is the Eternal Jam?
This jam is a continuous series of jams that run until the heat death of the universe (aspirational). Every month has a new theme and an extra challenge for designers. The idea is that it’s always here, so even if you don’t have time or aren’t interested in the theme of the month, you can pick it up on the next one!
What is the point?
The Eternal Jam is meant to be an outlet for experimentation within the TTRPG space. These projects are supposed to be tiny, quick, and creative. Most probably won’t be fully fleshed out. But every so often, the spark of an idea will catch and a new project will be born from the breeding ground of the Eternal Jam.
Is the challenge required?
No! The challenge has and always will be an additional wrinkle meant to put pressure on your designs. Engage with it as much or as little as you like. Use it as a lense through which to view you design.
What kind of content is allowed?
Anything, in theory. Explicit content should be tagged appropriately, but other than that: games, settings, waxing prose masquerading as playable content. Really anything goes.
Format?
One pagers, micro-zines, booklets, a loose collection of notes. It really doesn’t matter. It should be small ideally. The original idea was handmade zines, so it should fall somewhere around there. Check out Electric Zine Maker if you want a cool tool!
Art?
I don’t know. I think it’s art, but who am I to say?
Draw it yourself. Use creative commons images. I don’t know, make a collage? Are crayons still a thing? You’ll figure it out, I believe in you.
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