Let’s Plan a Heist! PocketQuest 2024

The raccoon’s name is Bandit and we will be taking no questions about him at this time.

Announcing DriveThruRPG’s third-annual game jam!

Be part of the 25-page or less game jam alongside over 200+ publishers

PocketQuest challenges you to design a themed, pocket-size TTRPG in two months — the perfect opportunity for aspiring designers to get their feet wet and for seasoned designers to join the community for fun. We have done this for two years, with over 200+ submissions and 100+ new publishers. We cannot wait for another year together with you.

This year is extraordinary because not only did the community pick an excellent theme (HEISTS!), but we are partnering with our amazing friends at Storytelling Collective!

Storytelling Collective is an online learning program for independent creative storytellers. It is also the keeper of the popular RPG Writer Workshop, through which more than 13,000 TTRPG creatives have developed, produced, and published their first tabletop titles. Many of these writers have gone on to forge exciting careers in the TTRPG industry after getting their start via Storytelling Collective.

TTRPG industry leaders, including Chaosium, Modiphius, Hit Point Press, and Crowdfundr have worked closely with Storytelling Collective to provide a wealth of professional support and resources. The Storytelling Collective has also partnered with DriveThruRPG and its sister sites, DriveThruFiction and DriveThruComics, for numerous creative challenges and workshops, and is thrilled to support PocketQuest 2024!

🦝 Why should I accept this quest?

• First-Timer Support. Our PocketQuest Starter Kit includes templates, guides, and graphics to help you get started creating and marketing your game.
• Community Support. Join Roll20 | DriveThru Discord to gain access to our PocketQuest discussion space. After joining, just indicate you’re there for PocketQuest when prompted. If you’re already in the server, you can find the prompt by clicking “Channels & Roles” just above the channel list on the left. It’s a great time to become a new publisher.
• Workshops: In partnership with Storytelling Collective, we will produce a few workshops for new designers, from marketing to layout and everything in between. These will be pre-recorded for PocketQuest Pals.
• Storytelling Collective Surprises: Not only is Storytelling Collective giving workshops and a secondary promotional outlet, but there will be a few surprises for PocketQuest participants as well…
• Step into the Spotlight. We’ll celebrate PocketQuest in April, featuring submissions on the DriveThruRPG front page title strip, front page banner, newsletters, news sites, and social media pages for both DriveThru and Storytelling Collective.
• Earn Badges. Earn and share badges for your PocketQuest submission and for supporting other publishers in the community. More information about badges can be found in the PocketQuest Starter Kit.

🔑 What are the PocketQuest design jam’s rules?

• Rules Lite. PocketQuest 2024 submissions should be at most 25 pages (including covers) and act as standalone games. Ideal submissions are concise and easy to learn.
• No Community Content. Currently, we are only accepting submissions for PocketQuest 2024 for standalone games that are either a brand new system or under a third-party license (ex: Mork Borg, Mothership, Shadowdark, Lancer, etc.) property. We do have a special promotion in the works for Community Content, however, so stay tuned!
• Themed. Pocketquest 2024’s theme is HEISTS! Generate high-end puzzles, missions, and more. The possibilities are endless!
• Deadline. PocketQuest 2024 submissions must be sent through our Submission Form by March 25, 2024 at 11:59 PM Central.
• Optional Template. The templates in the PocketQuest Starter Kit are optional. If you already have the design and layout chops, do what you like! There is NO PAPER SIZE requirement (but you cannot exceed 25 pages total!)
• Follow DriveThruRPG Guidelines. While actual heists can be terrifying, we advise all submissions to follow our Guidelines.
• No AI Art or AI Writing Allowed. While our Guidelines can allow certain AI Art, for this challenge, no AI Art or AI Writing is allowed. Any submissions with AI Art or AI Writing will be removed from the challenge. We have a growing list of resources available for art as well as a special Stock Art Package from Storytelling Collective. We also have a TON of artists on our Discord, too!
• Your PocketQuest digital title must be exclusive to only DriveThruRPG and cannot be sold anywhere else. Your title will get exclusive benefits (including a 70% royalty rate), regardless of your non-exclusive or exclusive account status. You’re welcome to sell the print version wherever you’d like.
• #PocketQuest2024. Want us to see your ideas and discussions? Use hashtag #PocketQuest2024 during the challenge so we can boost your creativity!

🔏 How do I upload my completed PocketQuest submission?

• If you are new to DriveThruRPG, find detailed information about creating a publisher account and uploading your title to our marketplace in the PocketQuest Starter Kit.
• If you’re already a publisher, you will upload per usual, but keep it private. We will launch your title for you; please don’t make it public!
• After uploading your title, fill out our Submission Form so we can capture your submission.

✨I have another question!

Can I design an OSR adventure or content for a Community Content Program? What about my own system? PocketQuest submissions should be standalone games: no OSR adventures or CCP submissions. (An old-school feel is fine, but no rehashing rules!) If you have a rules-lite base system that can be included as part of the page limit, that is OK.

Can I use someone else’s rules-light system for my game (e.g. Powered by the Apocalypse)? This will vary by publisher, and it’s best to check with that system’s publisher and/or check if their website has details about permissions. If you have permission, go for it, as long as gamers need only your PocketQuest PDF to play (no outside books or PDFs).

The template has 6"x9" pages. Can I use 8.5"x11" pages? Yes! There are no page-size restrictions for this challenge. However, we would love to do a print omnibus of submissions. If you’d like to be included, please lay your submission out in 6x9 via our InDesign or Affinity templates.

Storytelling Collective’s own Kayla Cline will design our cover art! https://kaylacline.com/

Kayla Cline’s rendition of the best boy, Bandit!

Do my front and back cover count as part of the 25-page limit? Yes! When you upload your PDF, it must be 25 pages or less regardless of what is on those 25 pages.

What are the benefits of participating?

• Full access to Partner Relations and StoCo on Discord
• Great community of veterans and first-timers on Discord
• Resources (Stock Art List + Templates)
• 70% earnings on your title, regardless of status
• +200 Promotional Points to use on DriveThruRPG
• Dedicated title strip
• Dedicated banner
• Dedicated filter category
• Dedicated marketing (DT + StoCo)
• Dedicated marketing to external news sites
• StoCo bonuses (promotion, workshops, and more!)

Links

• DriveThruRPG PocketQuest Starter Kit: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/398249/PocketQuest-2024-Starter-Kit
• Storytelling Collective Creator Toolkit: https://www.storytellingcollective.com/courses/pocketquest2024
• DriveThru/Roll20 Discord: http://discord.gg/rollthru

Social Media

@DriveThruRPG on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok

@StorytellingCol on Twitter and @StorytellingColl on Instagram