Dev Update - Launch date announced!

Under the desert sun development update from JAY Games:

As 2024 comes to a close, we have some exciting news! We're targeting May 31, 2025 as our launch date for Under the desert sun right here on Itch.io! Under the desert sun will be available globally on Itch as a digital download in two forms: a free Player's Pack and a paid Meddah's Pack (Game Guide). Additionally, we are planning a physical release (and a Deluxe release) of Under the desert sun for sale on our website for US/Canada initially and will have more information about that as we get closer to launch - in addition to pricing for the digital release here on Itch, which we are planning to make affordable and accessible. We want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the development process so far - through playtests, listening to concepts, reviewing materials, etc. - your support has helped bring this game closer to launch!

What can you expect from the digital Meddah's Pack download? JAY Games is making every effort to provide you with everything that you need to run your adventure on the sands of Taraz:

• Meddah's Pack .pdf - Full-color game guide with instructions, suggestions, lore, and more!
• Player's Pack .pdf - Full-color Player's guide with mechanics (similar to our Quickstart Pack), lore, and more!
• Player Archetype files - Full-color editable .pdf files for your Players to complete as well as editable Google/Word Docs!
• Safety tools - Google/Excel files for electronic sharing with your Players to ensure topic consent prior to playing your game
• NPC tokens - High-resolution artwork from Celestine Nox for you to use how you want for your game (provided you don't manipulate them in any way with AI)
• Maps - Full-color maps with/out gridlines for you to use with your favorite electronic gaming platform (sneak peak in the video)

Under the desert sun is a one-shot tabletop role-play game designed for 4-6 Players with 2 different story options - an "easy" mode for 4-hour gameplay and a "hard" mode for 5/6-hour gameplay. While the story structure is laid out in the Meddah's Pack complete with full-color maps, each Play experience is able to be tailored to the ideas and parameters that the Meddah - the Game Manager - receives from their Players. This goes for JAY Games as well - our playtests have provided us with key information for refining mechanics and enhancing Player safety and accessibility. We have three more playtests scheduled in January, February, and March as we wrap up our final touches on Under the desert sun! If you're interested in testing the game before launch - and having a say in the final product - go ahead and register for a free playtest at any one of the links above!

As always, stay tuned here on Itch.io or on our socials (jaygamesllc) for the latest updates about Under the desert sun and other JAY Games releases - and don't forget to check out our Quickstart Pack available here on Itch.io for free to learn more about the Just As Yourself system and what separates us from other TTRPG companies!

About JAY Games:

JAY Games™ - Just As Yourself Games - is a game development company based in Chicago, Illinois that is committed to a safe, inclusive Play enviroment where anyone, regardless of experience, can enjoy a story Just As Yourself™. Players come with their imagination and bring just a playbook, a d6, and a d20. The Meddah, the game master, brings probability and rich storytelling without railroading Players with tactical combat rules or conceptual items. The rule of cool reigns supreme - but Players' safety is paramount, even if it violates the rule of cool. JAY Games's innagural release, Under the desert sun™, is expected in Spring 2025 and is currently completing playtests on StartPlaying.Games. Inquiries can be directed to inquire@jay-games.com.