Announcing the GenCant 2019 Game Design Challenge in Partnership with Button Shy Games.
Welcome to the third official #GenCant game design contest. Our 2017 and 2018 contests produced three fabulous games for GenCant (and beyond!) and we are so excited to be back at it again.
2019 looks like a bit of a mash up of previous years. We’re back with the wonderful Button Shy games… and we’re back to #RollAndWrite! We’re extra excited about this one because we’re focusing on the under-used polyhedral dice in the format. We know that the mix of dice will inspire some awesome game play ideas with all the game designers out there.
Once again, Button Shy – will co-host the GenCant contest, judging the entries, and contributing to the prize. Huge thanks to Button Shy for donating their time and effort to help ensure GenCant has a unique offering this year.
For all of the GenCanters, the print-and-play version of the winning game will be made available, free of charge, to download during GenCant.
Timeline
Initial Submissions will be accepted from Saturday June 1, 2019 until Monday July 15, 2019 at 12:00 PT.
Winner will be announced Wednesday July 31, 2019.
Component Limitations
The GenCant 2019 Roll and Write game may only use the components listed below:
One single color standard set of polyhedral dice (D4, D6, D8, D10, D12, D20, percentile) You may use fewer dice than included in a single set, but are limited in total to a single polyhedral set.
Maximum 8 pages (8.5in x 11in), single sided, including rules. Only one sheet needs to be dedicated as the player writing sheet (so if you need 4 copies of a page for 4 players, only one of your pages needs to be the player sheet.)
Writing implement. Multiple colors will be allowed, but accessibility is a judging consideration (both for game play and for access to necessary components like specialty colored pens
(Optional) Similar to previous years, we want to support those who may not be able to get gaming in with others – so a solo play option is appreciated but not mandatory.
Submission Requirements
For your submission, you will need to send the following to
pnptagmire@gmail.com
- Game Description: Including Game Title, Player Count, Estimated Play Time, Recommended Ages (if any), Brief Description of the game play and theme notes (if any).
- Print-and-Play File: This should include the rules and play sheet(s). The file can be hosted on either your own site, or a public one like Dropbox or Google Drive.
- Contact Information
Additional Restrictions
Designs must be original works that do not infringe on any intellectual property. Submission must not be publicly available through any retail, secondary or print-on-demand market and may not be currently under consideration for publication by other publishers.
One submission per entrant.
Designers must be 18 years or older to enter.
While designs need not have final artwork or graphics, they should be complete and usable. All designs remain the intellectual property of the designers.
GenCant is a family-friendly event. We encourage creativity with game theme/setting and design that aligns with a broad audience appeal.
Prizes
Along with being named the Official Game of GenCant 2019, the winning design will receive featured placement on PNP Arcade and receive a special designer rate through 2019. And, for the first time ever, there’s a $100 cash prize too!
All entries may be considered for publication by Button Shy Games.
WOOHOO!!
Interesting twist. Only one D6!
One question regarding the component limitations: will an eraser be allowed?
Yes – we’ll allow erasing.
Ha! I already created a game like that, check out R&W competition on the BGG. 🙂
Maximum of 8 pages including rules.
Does this include the Roll and Write Sheet (s)
If so, will the sheet be laminated? Or will there be a disposable pad?
Cant here be multiple Roll and Write sheets?
For instance, if I made a game that will accommodate 4 players, but each player has a different sheet, would 4 player sheets and 4 pages of rules be acceptable?
Yes – it includes the writing sheet(s). The scenario you outlined would be fine.
What does max. 8 pages (incl. manual) mean? Can I for instance have 2 pages (so 4 sides) of manual, 5 pages for cards and 1 page as a player sheet? So it’s not clear if:
– When the game is 2-4 players, the PnP-file should include 4 pages of player sheets because there are 4 players or can we assume that you one page can be printed multiple times ending up with more than 8 pages (but the file not exceeding 8 pages)?
– Can we assume that, to play the game cutting/folding/etc., can be done to the pages, making cards of them or half-page sheets or whatever – or should everything stay intact as printed?
Hi!
Yes – if, for 4 players, each player needs one copy of the same writing sheet – you only need to include one in your 8 pages.
Yes – you may use the 8 pages as a mix of the writing sheet(s), other components, and rules. Please note – the DICE are intended as the primary randomizer of the game.
Yes – cutting/folding would be allowed.
I’m excited for this! I already have some ideas. But I also have a couple of questions, please:
– Can cards be included, as long as they’re part of the 8 pages? Please let us know if that’s allowed / not allowed / encouraged / discouraged.
– Does the game have to support more than 1 player?
Hi Dave!
Yes – there can be cards… but the goal is to have the dice (however many from the set you use) be the core of the randomization element. No – the game does not need to support more than one player. Solo-only is completely acceptable.
Of the 8 pages, can it be 4 pages of rules and 4 different player sheets?
Would the player sheets be laminated? Or would there be a pad of disposable sheets?
Thanks!
Yes – that’s totally fine. If the game needs 4 different player sheets, that’s how it can be used. If you just need more of the same sheet for higher player counts, you only need to include enough sheets for one player in the 8 pages. (Hope that makes sense.) Assume players will laminate or print out extra copies of sheets.
Can I use the game that is already in the other competition on the BGG website?
If it is not PUBLICLY available/published elsewhere, we’ll allow it.