The Game Writing SIG Arcjam is just around the corner! Whether you’re a seasoned game writer or diving into your first jam, preparation is key to making the most of your 72 hours. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.
Setting Your Goals
Before the jam begins, take some time to clarify what you want to achieve:
What do you hope to accomplish? A jam is about more than just finishing a project. Are you experimenting with a new narrative structure? Testing out branching mechanics? Building something for your portfolio? Defining your primary goal helps you stay focused when the clock is ticking.
What do you want to learn? This is a perfect opportunity to expand your skillset. Maybe you want to master Arcweave’s branching logic, experiment with visual assets, or try collaborative real-time editing. Pick one or two learning objectives and let the jam be your classroom.
What skills do you want to showcase? Think about your portfolio. What narrative design strengths do you want potential employers or collaborators to see? Character voice? World-building? Puzzle design? Consider this in advance and let it guide your creative decisions.
What’s a realistic scope? Here’s the truth: 72 hours goes by fast. Plan for something you can complete, playtest, and polish. A tight, focused ~5-7 minute experience will impress judges and players far more than an ambitious but incomplete epic. Remember, you can always expand your story after the jam ends. And don’t forget: long, extensive portfolio pieces are seldom completed by the reviewer.
Check out this fantastic Writer’s Guild of Great Britain panel with industry experts discussing interative writing portfolios.
Learning the Tools
If you’re new to Arcweave, don’t panic. It’s designed with writers in mind, and you don’t need to be a tech wizard to create compelling interactive stories. Just start here:
Our partners at Arcweave created this comprehensive cheatsheet specifically for game writers preparing for the jam. It breaks down everything from beginner basics to advanced logic, organized by skill level.
Key resources:
- Arcweave QuickStart Guide - Get from zero to your first playable story
- Video Tutorial Playlist - Comprehensive basics coverage
- Arcweave Documentation - The complete reference guide
Remember: you don’t need to master every feature before the jam starts. Focus on the basics first: elements, connections, and playtesting. You can explore variables and advanced logic as you go.
The Arcweave Discord community is incredibly supportive, and they’ll be providing priority support throughout the jam weekend.
Solo or Team: Making the Call
Going solo means complete creative control and no coordination overhead. It’s perfect if you:
- Have a clear vision you want to execute
- Work best independently
- Want to focus purely on narrative without managing collaborators
- Are using the jam primarily as a learning experience
Finding a team can amplify your project and teach you collaborative skills. Consider teaming up if you:
- Want to create something more ambitious in scope
- Have complementary skills to share (writing, art, sound, UI design)
- Thrive on collaborative energy and brainstorming
Pro tip: When looking for teammates, be upfront about:
- Your strengths (“Strong dialogue writer, learning branching mechanics”)
- Your availability during the jam weekend
- Your goals and expectations
- Your time zone (if working internationally)
Non-writer collaborators (artists, sound designers, UI designers) can take your project to the next level. Arcweave makes it easy to integrate visual and audio assets, so even if you’re primarily a writer, you can create a rich multimedia experience with the right team.
Next Steps
Next two weeks:
- Sign up for the Game Writing SIG Arcjam on Itch
- Join the Game Writing SIG Discord if you’re an interested game writer
- Create your free Arcweave account
- Work through the Arcweave QuickStart Guide
- Consider your goals for the jam
- Decide if you’re going solo or looking for teammates
Join us for a Q&A: We plan to host a voice chat next week in our Discord to answer questions and gather feedback. Watch the #game-jam-announcement channel for the announcement.
On jam day (November 21):
- Get your Pro workspace trial code from our Discord
- Connect with teammates in your Pro workspace
- Read the final announcement to learn the theme
- Take a deep breath and start creating!
The Game Writing SIG Arcjam is about community, craft, and creativity. Whether you’ve been writing for games for years or you’re just starting out, whether you complete a masterpiece or a messy prototype, you’ll walk away with new skills, new connections, and a renewed love for interactive storytelling.
See you in the jam!
Have questions? Need help? Join the conversation in our Discord server or email us at info@game-writing.com.