List of VN jams

From VNDev Wiki

This is a list of VN jams and jams favored by VN devs, or jams producing a significant amount of VNs.

Jams are put under the starting month of the last event of the series.

The year of the jam reflects the year during which the jam has ended. The current calendar year of jams is highlighted.

Statistics are from itch pages during peak participation, shortly after jam closure or for older jams from itch jam info pages. Note that as people can remove their games from itch jams, later updates may not reflect numbers at the time of the jam, and that itch jam entry numbers may sometimes be off by 1 or 2 games (e.g. jam page says 10 games, but only 9 are visible).


January

Ace Jam

A jam for stories featuring asexual characters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
7th 2024 10 38 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2024
6th 2023 8 24 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2023
5th 2022 7 24 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2022
4th 2021 3 9 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2021
3rd 2020 3 18 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2020
2nd 2019 10 52 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2019
1st 2018 22 99 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam

NaNoWinter

A NaNoRenO inspired jam, taking place in winter.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2015 3 N/A https://itch.io/jam/nanowinter2015

Queer Vampire Game Jam

A month-long interactive fiction jam, focused on queer relationships and experiences with vampires as the focus.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2024 60 261 https://itch.io/jam/queer-vampire

Visual Novel AI Jam

A jam about artificial intelligence characters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2024 --- 127 https://itch.io/jam/visual-novel-ai-jam-2023

February

Yandere Game Jam

A jam focusing on the anime trope of aggressive expressions of affection.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
3rd 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/yanjam24
2nd 2023 46 191 https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam-2023
1st 2022 21 90 https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam

Valentine's VN Jam

A love-themed visual novel jam.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2021 51 259 https://itch.io/jam/valentines-vn-jam-2021

Aro Jam

A jam for stories featuring aromantic characters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
4th 2023 2 26 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam-2023
3rd 2022 6 22 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam-2022
2nd 2021 2 6 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam-2021
1st 2019 2 26 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam

March

NaNoRenO

The original visual novel jam, open for any VN started and finished in March.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
20th 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2024
19th 2023 161 708 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno2023
18th 2022 185 891 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2022
17th 2021 88 394 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2021
16th 2020 105 450 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2020
15th 2019 88 330 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2019
14th 2018 71 235 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2018
13th 2017 68 439 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2017
12th 2016 75 178 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2016
11th 2015 34 39 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2015
10th 2014 22 --
9th 2013 29 --
8th 2012 24 --
7th 2011 8 --
6th 2010 7 --
5th 2009 11 --
4th 2008 4 --
3rd 2007 8 --
2nd 2006 3 --
1st 2005 6 --

IntRenAiMo

A jam parallel to NaNoRenO with no restrictions, but without a formal home.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
18th 2022 -- --
17th 2021 -- --
16th 2020 -- --
15th 2019 -- --
14th 2018 -- --
13th 2017 -- --
12th 2016 -- --
11th 2015 -- --
10th 2014 -- --
9th 2013 -- --
8th 2012 -- --
7th 2011 -- --
6th 2010 -- --
5th 2009 -- --
4th 2008 -- --
3rd 2007 -- --
2nd 2006 -- --
1st 2005 -- --

Ossan Jam

A jam for visual novels featuring old men. Formerly known as "Oji Jam".

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
2nd 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/ossan-jam
1st 2023 7 41 https://itch.io/jam/ojijam

April

Amare Jam

A jam focusing on diversity in romance.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
3rd 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/amare-games-festival-2024
2nd 2023 42 80 https://itch.io/jam/amare-game-festival-2023
1st 2022 12 56 https://itch.io/jam/amare-jam

Blossom Jam

A casual jam with the theme of "Spring".

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
2nd 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/blossom-vn-jam-2024
1st 2023 45 243 https://itch.io/jam/blossom-vn-jam-2023

VN CUP

A jam with judging and prizes.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
2nd 2023 32 -- https://twitter.com/vn_cup/status/1650225424612626432
https://visualnovel.neocities.org/finals
1st 2022 36 -- https://twitter.com/vn_cup/status/1536925478010834944
https://visualnovel.neocities.org/submission

May

Otome Jam

A two-month jam focusing on romantic games with a female protagonist.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
6th 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/otome-jam-2024
5th 2023 71 312 https://itch.io/jam/otome-jam-2023
4th 2022 56 224 https://itch.io/jam/otome-jam
3rd 2021 28 163 https://itch.io/jam/otomejam
2nd 2019 6 57 https://itch.io/jam/otome-games-jam-2019
1st 2018 7 76 https://itch.io/jam/otome-games-jam

Josei Jam

A two-month jam focused on the broader range of otome-esque games, namely any game that's made with a female demographic in mind. It's a sister jam that runs parallel to Otome Jam.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
2nd 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/josei-jam-2024
1st 2023 66 177 https://itch.io/jam/josei-jam-2023

Transformation Jam

A two-month game jam featuring the uniting theme of transformation. Games that are already in progress are allowed to be submitted.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2023 11 47 https://itch.io/jam/transformation-game-jam


June

Trans Representation Jam

A jam focused on trans representation.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
2nd 2023 23 173 https://itch.io/jam/jam-representation-jam-2023
1st 2022 23 183 https://itch.io/jam/trans-representation-jam

Battle Action Fantasy (BAF) Jam

A jam around chuunige and shonen battle action fantasy tropes.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2023 12 107 https://itch.io/jam/baf-jam-2023

TyranoBuilder Jam (TyranoJam)

A visual novel jam with an engine restriction, and themes.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
3rd 2018 17 97 https://itch.io/jam/tyranojam18
2nd 2017 44 320 https://itch.io/jam/tyranojam17
1st 2015 33 41 https://itch.io/jam/tyranojam15

YaoiJam +

For finishing existing Yaoi Game Jam compatible projects previously submitted to other jams.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
3rd 2022 0 37 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijamplus2022
2nd 2021 3 26 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijamplus2021
1st 2020 5 24 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijamplus


July

O2A2 VN Jam

A minimalist jam with restrictions on resources (use only one of any asset).

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
4th 2023 154 316 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2023
3rd 2022 106 186 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2022
2nd 2021 96 182 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-again
1st 2020 20 46 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2

Summer Novel Festival (SuNoFes)

A two-month low-stakes jam focused on narrative games.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
9th 2023 67 169 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes23
8th 2022 115 965 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes22
7th 2021 69 678 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes21
6th 2020 62 368 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes20
5th 2019 4 79 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes19
4th 2018 9 78 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes18
3rd 2017 17 196 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes17
2nd 2016 10 60 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes16
1st 2015 12 13 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes

Yaoi Game Jam

A two-month game jam focused on M/M relationships for a female audience.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
8th 2023 24 293 https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-game-jam-2023
7th 2022 41 373 https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-jam-game-2022
6th 2021 34 259 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam2021
5th 2020 36 189 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam2020
4th 2019 12 84 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam19
3rd 2018 22 123 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam18
2nd 2017 15 69 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam17
1st 2016 19 105 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam

Nonbinary Game Jam

A jam for stories featuring nonbinary characters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
6th 2023 10 41 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam-2023
5th 2022 14 71 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinarygamejam2022
4th 2021 14 102 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinarygamejam2021
3rd 2020 15 107 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinarygamejam2020
2nd 2019 15 75 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam
1st 2016 3 30 https://itch.io/jam/enbyjam

Bishoujo Jam

A jam focusing on pretty anime girls and a male protagonist.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
2nd 2022 4 29 https://itch.io/jam/bishoujo-jam-2022
1st 2018 1 67 https://itch.io/jam/bishoujo-jam

Shoot For The Stars Jam

A VN jam focused on the topic of stars and space.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2020 12 22 https://itch.io/jam/shoot-for-the-stars-jam

Search For The Truth Jam

A VN jam for Ace Attorney style visual novels.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2018 3 39 https://itch.io/jam/search-for-the-truth

Yuri Visual Novel Jam

Not to be confused with the annual Yuri Game Jam.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2023 0 9 https://itch.io/jam/vn-yuri-jam

August

Object Head Jam

A jam focused on the object head aesthetic.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2021 8 65 https://itch.io/jam/object-head-jam-2021

BL Jam

A jam emphasizing M/M relationships.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2018 2 24 https://itch.io/jam/blgamejam

Monstrous Desires Jam

A visual novel jam focused around romantic stories featuring monsters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2024 --- --- https://itch.io/jam/monstrous-desires-2024

September

Spooktober VN Jam

A jam with a broad theme of Halloween, horror and mystery, with judging and prizes.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
5th 2023 210 1097 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-2023
4th 2022 160 811 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-vn-jam-2022
3rd 2021 112 535 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-vn-jam-2021
2nd 2020 44 174 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-visual-novel-jam-by-devtalk2
1st 2019 15 63 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-visual-novel-jam

Mushroom Jam

A jam focused on various types of fungi.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2023 28 271 https://itch.io/jam/mushroomm

Ren'Py Jam

A jam mainly for visual novels, with an engine restriction.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2018 27 115 https://itch.io/jam/renpy-jam


October

Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam)

A jam emphasizing relationships between women.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
9th 2023 68 335 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2023
8th 2022 43 218 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2022
7th 2021 30 181 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2021
6th 2020 31 179 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2020
5th 2019 37 177 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2019
4th 2018 55 251 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2018
3rd 2017 66 325 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2017
2nd 2016 56 166 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2016
1st 2015 32 103 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam

Bara Jam

A jam themed around a hypermasculine anime aesthetic.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
6th 2023 16 57 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2023
5th 2022 18 62 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2022
4th 2021 23 120 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2021
3rd 2020 18 93 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2020
2nd 2019 19 79 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2019
1st 2018 9 52 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2018

Once Upon A Time VN Jam

A jam themed around fairy tales.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2023 33 280 https://itch.io/jam/once-upon-a-time-vn-jam

November

BirdJam

A jam for stories featuring birds.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2022 40 200 https://itch.io/jam/birdjam

ViNoWriMo

A visual novel writing jam parallel to the NaNoWriMo event.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2020 20 138 https://itch.io/jam/vinowrimo

December

Winter VN Jam

The Winter VN Jam is a low-pressure jam with a broad theme of winter, the cold, and snow.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
4th 2023 75 206 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2023
3rd 2022 138 852 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2022
2nd 2021 77 465 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2021
1st 2020 23 106 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2020

Black Visual Novel Jam

A visual novel jam focused on Black creators and voice acting.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
1st 2022 2 56 https://itch.io/jam/black-visual-novel-jam-

Finish Your Visual Novel (FYVN Jam)

A jam where you challenge yourself to finish your in-progress VN project by the end of the year.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Link
2nd 2021 10 25 https://itch.io/jam/finish-your-visual-novel
1st 2020 12 56 https://itch.io/jam/finish-your-vn