itch.io

HauntedPicnic - you should add the SRD tag to this one so that creators can find it.

Absolutely! I can be easily found on discord: Either Junkfoodgame’s server or Beth and Angel’s - they’re also just great places to find support for ttrpg creation and feedback. A lot of talented veterans are on both or either.

Junkfoodgames: https://discord.gg/gjfAgC7Ut

Angel and Beth Make Games: https://discord.gg/MteuZ5kwp

This comment brings me such joy - we’re often featured in artwork but rarely the premise of a game. I was delighted to center Black History (and a great injustice) in ttrpg form. Thank you for seeing it!

Thank you, I really appreciate the comment ^_^

Sure, you have my permission to do so as long as I can post a copy of your translation here (I would credit you as the translator). Let me know if you need anything from me.

Wow, that was an illuminating zine and really gave context. Thank you so much for sharing. I’d don’t think I’d heard such a personal account from the media with any of the california fires. It’s always a blip or a soundbite. What you shared made it much more real.

Smart suggestions!

When I visited the Solo RPG Reddit (that was co-opted by AI bros) a lot more I found that that was one of the underlying fears concerning solo ttrpgs. That you wouldn’t play it right and there was no one there to help you. There was a yearning among some prospective players, one to get permission to do play solo as if it was a dirty sin, and two - for a system so strong and authoritative that it could take a place of a knowledgeable GM/DM.

It was also one of the big complaints. Having to think for themself and imagine for themself. Isn’t that what the reference document is for? So, to your point - those folks bending the rules would be beyond the ultimate taboo. Satanic Orgy in the Vatican levels.

But with my games I’m always like, “Don’t use that rule. It’s too hard? Don’t use it. The game won’t break” so we’re on the same wavelength. Commit the crime of liberation all the way!

I was just thinking about this earlier today. We have a lot of LGBTQIA+ people in the ttrpg world making games. But they don’t all make “gay games” or “pride games”.

But in one form or another a lot of us ARE making QUEER GAMES.

And I think it’s interesting to look at an itchio storepage and consider the various ways that expresses itself for an individual creator but also for a person who just wants to recommend the stuff they like on their homepage or even with the entries on a Jam Page.

I advocate for this a lot. Especially on the player side in solo games. Don’t get phased by “making a mistake” while trying to follow the rules.

If you were having fun that is ALL that matters. The misinterpretations are where the magic really happens.

I’ve come to experience this myself. Most of what I make, inadvertently, stems from my childhood. But the fun now has been in the experience of creating and discovery.

As a study to shape a project I come across things I’ve NEVER seen before and a new kind of joy comes up. A depth that I, as a child, could not have reached or had access too. It’s wonderful.

And the One-Page Jam is just next month. Perfect timing!

It’s the only one of its kind and I’ve glad the creator took the time to make it.

A great starting point for anyone looking to create an SRD.

Please consider using “Magical Girl” or “Magical Girls” as one of your tags to help it get that exposure a bit.

This came up just yesterday. I was out with friends from work, all of them naturalized immigrants, and one of them mentioned how his gardener was deported. Someone asked if he’d already been sent away or was in one of the centers and the person admitted that they didn’t know. We all got quiet as it dawned on us that anything could be happening to that man and he may have no one checking in on him. To your game’s point - it’s better to put up resistance before someone gets taken waiting until its too late and their eaten by the system.

I thought later, “This came up during the game jam!”

This felt similar to something I’d listen to on NPR with their “The Moth” story hour. Framing things as a god reflecting on humanity…I’m not sure it was entirely necessary but it did allow for the artistic flowing art above the text to make sense. It also takes the reader out of reality and into a more philosophical mindscape, even though you’re talking about very real themes and challenges.

Nationality, Gender, Wealth, Immigration, Trauma, etc. are all wrapped up into what you’re presenting. And the plea is clear about not allowing status and the mindset capitalism encourages to dehumanize and devalue others. This is a story and an expression and a bit of…self…reflection? But also guilt that is no longer guilt? Not sure.

I’ve noticed this year that a number of games want to talk about the effects and pressure of capitalism rather than about the overall system as a matter of “business”. But more of the effects we can’t see or aren’t obvious. I’d count this as one of them.

Painful.

I normally avoid games like this. The push and pull of what is bureaucratic and what is humane. There are certainly some who want to take advantage but in small things it doesn’t matter. And I’ve been on the other end of waiting and hoping myself. Being unsure in a result. So this one really hit home.

The setup and presentation of the game is good. The progression of difficulty and revelation is very well done and the UI was wonderfully simple to get used to. Even the Warning serves as a bit of foreshadowing depending on how you play. Towards the end I wasn’t sure if I was experiencing a glitch or not, forms just waved by so fast that I thought it may have been because they were just preapproved? But then the one I was able to read it and it let me know…yeah. What the lay of the land was.

It’s odd because in other games I’d want to be defiant right away. In this one I kept taking small chances at first as if I was saving up to REALLY help someone. The kind of behaviors this game coaxes from a player has to be interesting. Especially when you provide to the results of the loans that didn’t get approved and the player has to continue with that knowledge.

I think the other layer here is that there really isn’t a measure of perfection as a worker. The company doesn’t trust you but will use you to make something look official. A well-crafted game for this jam.

That’s very smart! To go with what you know and going by an SRD saves a ton of development time. It sounds like this project was really meant to be. It’s good you have a group already because playtesting multiplayer TTRPGs is a nightmare for most people, especially when something is a homebrew. It allows for a lot of balancing and adjustments on the fly.

You should all be very proud of putting this together. Will you offer it on Drivethru RPG as well? I bet people would be interested.

Wow, Itchio has you flagged as suspicious, it looks like you may already be upsetting the status quo with your zines!

There’s something interesting going on here but I’m not exactly sure what. There’s an obvious surface level (as there should be with any game) and then there’s something else going on. I noticed that some things would make my happiness go up…and it may have been related to the speed at which I purchased things? I’m not sure but I’m intrigued.

When I first opened the page and saw the game I was like, “OH NO! My weakness! Shopping online!” haha (I love small business shopping on Etsy. It’s a thing…)

But your game play was simple and still effective. And again…not so simple. For instance, it’s clear that at work you’re just futzing about and I had no idea as the player what I was doing there - which I feel is the point of the mini-game. You’re kind of just not doing meaningful work. I liked that bit of detail.

The things that popped up at home were alarming at first and then less impactful as time went on since I realized they were flavor-text. I think that could be frustrating for those not into game design but it still speaks to the point of the game. You become really desensitized after a point as in life under capitalism. It wants you to crave sensation. The items for shopping could fulfill that and I bet you each person that played this immediately went for things they’d actually buy in real life.

The tongue-in-cheek nature of the writing helped keep things from getting too depressing because this kind of set-up could get nihilisitic pretty fast without a mechanism to find joy. But a major theme of the game is that you CAN’T find joy in such a cycle of Earn-Consume/Spend, at least nothing impactful.

I think you did a great job!

I’m going to be honest - I didn’t play it because I never play games on itch anymore with an exe involved. So I do everything on site.

THAT SAID! Your game really stuck out to me once it was submitted and I did look at it from other angles. First off your pixel art is soooo cute. The backgrounds, and the aesthetic in general, have that kind of vaporwave palette that I really love. Having a little trailer for your title screen was very smart. It gives people a taste of the music and kind of experience they can expect. You’ve put together a really smart team.

And this is going to sound crazy but dating capitalism was what I was going to original do as a game theme for this jam! Isn’t that nuts?! I’m glad I didn’t because what I’m seeing looks like a real star of a game. Honestly it looks like you put a lot of work and thought into creating this. It’s one of the ones that I just know could do with more exposure.

Another great zine for this jam! I’m so happy that you made this.

When I was in elementary school they made sure to teach us about “loaded words” and to watch out for them when reading. I’m not sure when schools stopped teach that but it’s so important because propaganda NEEDS you to have a reaction. Whatever reaction it is is beneficial to someone. Outrage and Adulation are the same currency.

Also the formatting here was great. You must know a thing or two about graphic design.

This is a VERY large game for the jam. What made you decide to submit something of this size? There’s even a section for a proposed campaign for GMs to use.

There are definitely big cyberpunk vibes playing out here.

Can I ask what made you want to take part in this jam? This seems to be your only work thus far.

Love seeing this, this game is a smart time for a nice solo session.

This solo ttrpg is unhinged and I love it. I think having your play cycle represented visually with boxes and arrows is smart while also speaking to the corporate facade of the game.

It’s also all wonderfully punk in aesthetic and tone. It’s so great to see. The idea of the monotony of the workplace making you kind of go insane and turn against the corporate structure is genius. This would go great with mallsoft music. I am thoroughly impressed.

Page 3. Is it congratulations of “beating” or “being” a successful applicant? On the same page I think you meant “…unwavering loyalty.” On Page 5, you may have meant “pursuing” instead of “pursing” in the green box. You have it spelled correctly afterward.

This was a fun one. Absolutely off the wall crazy on one hand, like walking through a theme park of TV static. Like a ride at Disney World that’s glitching but you’re still in the real world. Love that.

You hit on a wound with this, right? Capitalism gives us access to the things we want to consume in so many ways! We’re accomplices all the time. But also, the things we love aren’t inherently capitalistic even if the way we consume has been co-opted by it.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT! (Pun intended).

I can see the vision but the result looks more on the “found footage” side of things than like propaganda posters. It may be because the digitization effect makes some of your compositions less, “readable”. So they do have that kind of old photo effect to them like doing archival work in the soviet union but not quite saying much about capitalism visually (or it may not be coming together as you intended).

HOWEVER, from an artistic standpoint (and I think you’re one of the few people to approach this jam from a purely artistic standpoint so kudos for having the bravery and vision to do so. No matter, you tried something most of us didn’t attempt), the titles were a brilliant move to really give context to each photo. I think it’s always an underutilized aspect in art and you had the foresight to put it into action.

The remix-er and dadaist within you continues to be strong in your zinework. Capitalism abhors illness and despises disabilities. The world demonstrated early on how it would like to treat those who cannot work as industries demand or that industry harms irreparably.

And no capitalist wants to be seen as having their body betray them. It’s not…marketable. It’s off brand.

A good topic to include in the jam.

I’d recognize Wayne LaPierre’s craven face anywhere. I’m glad you point out the hypocrisy.

I really enjoy zines and this one was put together very well. You expressed yourself in the formatting and the text but also gave really great information that people can use. This is the kind of thing that’s perfect to pass out at a rally or protest. Which is something I don’t think anyone else has done for this jam so that’s an accomplishment.

There are a few spelling errors that stuck out to me. Feel free to correct them or don’t, I think it’s fine either way. Page 4 “Never sign anything without a lawyer present” (instead of “persent”). Page 5, “…nobody likes a fascist” (instead of “facist”).

I think the original Zombies Ate My Neighbors makes a perfect diving board to creating something that talks about fascism and how it kind of just springs itself on some people. And in this case making people disappear. We’re in a phase where it’s moving very quickly - like a horror movie.

Your design is very well done and eyecatching.

And capitalism is, of course, a major facet of fascism. They’re intertwined in a that horrific to behold in the end. The idea of fighting back anyway you can is very much in the spirit of the moment.

Heck yeah! Have an awesome time and let me know how it went.

Thank you! I appreciate your support a lot.

Please have a great time playing. Let me know how it goes!

Thank you, a good game loves to be shared!

I think the ending text is a nice footnote for those who won't get it. Don't worry about it being too much, for me it was a confirmation. If the ending text had been, "You didn't click hard enough for the others so they had bad lives" I would have been VERY confused. 

I'm glad to hear you talk about Lee being full of bullshit. lol 

Very quickly I came to the conclusion that that guy was a total tool. I tried to have one coffee break with him and found him so insufferable that I never approached him again. It also made me MUCH more like to push harder when Bernard went missing. To my point about the jam coloring the experience, I did go back to previous islands and ignore the threat of the Siren effect because I didn't believe the corporation. Lee being disappointed that one time didn't matter - I didn't care about his opinion anyway. I offer that as playtest feedback. Also, I didn't mention that Bernard's route was very satisfying as someone who supported what he was all about. I only wished that Wendy could have escaped too (not that she ever stated she wanted to). 

I do hope others play and offer feedback. It's golden for any project. 

Haha, I get it now. I thought you were using "Breathless" as a descriptor and not stating the system at its core. That makes sense but keep in mind there will be others like me that are unaware of the Breathless system at all. Highlighting that may be enough. 

And OMG, the Dark Enlightenment is also a thing! What a learning opportunity your game presents! I've seen this ideology pop up several times over the years but didn't know it had roots that went back so far. Seeing it covered like it has been is actually...terrifying. But this is the reality we're dealing with and also what people like Jeffrey Epstein were working towards.