You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.
- Buckminster Fuller

I started working on the Mouse Potato Universal Plugin (originally named Mouse Potato Utils Plugin) because I really don't want to have to implement something from scratch every time I start a new game.

The plugin's Codeberg page:

https://codeberg.org/MousePotatoDoesStuff/MousePotatoUtilsPlugin/

But I don't want to keep this to myself. I want other game developers to be able to use the plugin rather than have to make everything by themselves, combine a bunch of specialised plugins (that may or may not work together or be continuously supported) or resort to use of generative AI.

(And also being able to make a profit from this would be nice :P I know it's a long shot, but hey! we wouldn't be doing gamedev if we couldn't handle going against overwhelming odds, would we?)

And that's why, alongside the CYG jam, this year I'm going to host the 

Mouse Potato Universal Plugin Jam

in which you'll be tasked with using said plugin to develop a new game and providing much-needed feedback, suggestions, and feature requests.

Jam process

• Unlike most jams, you are allowed and suggested to continue working on your game past the submission deadline. The deadline only serves to ensure we can manage and remove spam submissions.
• Your game needs to use the plugin in some capacity (download it here: https://codeberg.org/MousePotatoDoesStuff/MousePotatoUtilsPlugin/)

Rules

1. If we find out you've been intentionally circumventing the rules or taking advantage of the non-existence of a crucial rule, we will add it and apply it retroactively on you as we see fit. Don't be That Person. (If in doubt, ask in the community tab or Discord.)
2. Treat your fellow gamedevs and game enjoyers with kindness and respect.
3. No use of generative AI allowed in development, as this defeats the purpose of the jam (improving the plugin to make said usage unnecessary)
4. Your game should have a Linux build or a web build.
5. If writing in a language other than English, please provide a translation alongsi so we can understand your devlogs. Same goes for community posts on the jam.

Rating criteria

Plugin use - how much of the plugin's features you put to good use

Plugin feedback - how much

Rewards

The total amount of rewards to be given remains to be determined, but will be no lower than 200 Euros of currency and/or equivalent (such as Itch/Steam games/development assets) as well as indefinitely extended priority support for your games' use of the plugin. While better-performing entries will receive more rewards,

Note: I'm still figuring things out, so this page is subject to change.