List of ongoing visual novel jams: Difference between revisions

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This is a list of [[VN Jam|VN jams]] and jams favored by VN devs, or jams producing a significant amount of VNs.
This is a list of ongoing [[visual novel jam]]s, jams favored by visual novel developers, and jams producing a significant amount of visual novels.


Jams are categorized under the month when the most recent edition of the jam began. The current calendar year of jams is highlighted.
Jams are categorized under the month when the most recent edition of the jam began. If a jam runs multiple times in a year or has an inconsistent starting month, then it is categorized under miscellaneous. The current calendar year of jams is highlighted.


This page lists basic statistics about each iteration of a jam. For condensed statistics and leaderboards, see [[VN Jam statistics]].
This page lists basic statistics about each iteration of a jam. For condensed statistics and leaderboards, see [[Visual novel jam statistics]].


==Data Collection Methods & How to Interpret==
==Data Collection Methods & How to Interpret==
{{Main|Interpreting VN Jam Statistics}}
{{Main|Interpreting jam statistics}}


The VNDev Wiki collects the officially visible participant and entry counts on the itch.io jam page, immediately after the jam is completed. Caveats for this data and information about the "participants/entry" statistic are available on the above reference page.
The VNDev Wiki collects the officially visible participant and entry counts on the itch.io jam page, immediately after the jam is completed. Caveats for this data and information about the "participants/entry" statistic are available on the above reference page.


== '''January''' ==
A jam is considered ongoing if it is not "discontinued". See [[List of discontinued visual novel jams#Data_Collection_Methods_&_How_to_Interpret | List of discontinued visual novel jams]] for details.


=== Ace Jam ===  
== Schedule of Jams ==
The following table showcases what jams begin, end, and continue during each month of the year. Only ongoing jams with '''consistent schedules''' are shown, and jams may begin/end '''partway through the month'''.
 
Key of symbols:
 
<nowiki>* Jam occurs within a single month</nowiki>
 
<nowiki>> Jam begins and continues to next month</nowiki>
 
<nowiki><> Jam continues from previous month to next month</nowiki>
 
<nowiki>< Jam continues from previous month and ends</nowiki>
 
{| class="wikitable" style="overflow:auto"
! January !! February !! March !! April !! May !! June !! July !! August !! September !! October !! November !! December
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|
|| *&nbsp;[[#Ace Jam|Ace]] || *&nbsp;[[#Aro Jam|Aro]] || *&nbsp;[[#NaNoRenO|NaNoRenO]] || *&nbsp;[[#Velox Jams|Velox Formido]] || *&nbsp;[[#Worst VN Jam|Worst]] || *&nbsp;[[#Battle Action Fantasy (BAF) Jam|Battle Action Fantasy]]
|| *&nbsp;[[#O2A2 Visual Novel Jam|O2A2]] || *&nbsp;[[#Velox Jams|Velox Fabula]] || *&nbsp;[[#Spooktober Visual Novel Jam|Spooktober]] || style="background-color:white" | -- || *&nbsp;[[#Games From the Heart Jam|Games from the Heart]] || *&nbsp;[[#Winter Visual Novel Jam|Winter]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|<!-- Row 2 -->
|| *&nbsp;[[#Sealed With A Kiss Jam (SWAK)|SWAK]] || *&nbsp;[[#Make Visual Novel Assets Jam (MVNA)|MVNA]] || *&nbsp;[[#IntRenAiMo|IntRenAiMo]] || style="background-color:white" | -- || >&nbsp;[[#Otome Jam|Otome]] || <&nbsp;[[#Otome Jam|Otome]]
|| >&nbsp;[[#Summer Novel Festival (SuNoFes)|SuNoFes]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Summer Novel Festival (SuNoFes)|SuNoFes]] || <&nbsp;[[#Summer Novel Festival (SuNoFes)|SuNoFes]] || >&nbsp;[[#Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam)|Yuri]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam)|Yuri]] || <&nbsp;[[#Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam)|Yuri]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|<!-- Row 3 -->
|| <&nbsp;[[#Once Upon A Time VN Jam (OUAT)|OUAT]] || >&nbsp;[[#Amare Games Festival|Amare]] || <&nbsp;[[#Amare Games Festival|Amare]] || style="background-color:white" | -- || >&nbsp;[[#Josei Jam|Josei]]  || <&nbsp;[[#Josei Jam|Josei]]
|| >&nbsp;[[#Yaoi Game Jam|Yaoi]] || <&nbsp;[[#Yaoi Game Jam|Yaoi]] || style="background-color:white" | -- || >&nbsp;[[#Once Upon A Time VN Jam (OUAT)|OUAT]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Once Upon A Time VN Jam (OUAT)|OUAT]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Once Upon A Time VN Jam (OUAT)|OUAT]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|<!-- Row 4 -->
|| >&nbsp;[[#Road Trip Game Jam|Road Trip]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Road Trip Game Jam|Road Trip]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Road Trip Game Jam|Road Trip]] || <&nbsp;[[#Road Trip Game Jam|Road Trip]] || style="background-color:white" | -- || >&nbsp;[[#Mythology VN Jam|Mythology]]
|| <>&nbsp;[[#Mythology VN Jam|Mythology]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Mythology VN Jam|Mythology]] || <&nbsp;[[#Mythology VN Jam|Mythology]] || >&nbsp;[[#Dying Year Visual Novel Jam|Dying Year]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Dying Year Visual Novel Jam|Dying Year]] || <&nbsp;[[#Dying Year Visual Novel Jam|Dying Year]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|<!-- Row 5 -->
|| >&nbsp;[[#Yandere Game Jam|Yandere]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Yandere Game Jam|Yandere]] || <&nbsp;[[#Yandere Game Jam|Yandere]] || >&nbsp;[[#Blossom Jam|Blossom]] || <&nbsp;[[#Blossom Jam|Blossom]] || >&nbsp;[[#Trans Representation Jam|Trans Rep]]
|| <>&nbsp;[[#Trans Representation Jam|Trans Rep]] || <&nbsp;[[#Trans Representation Jam|Trans Rep]] || style="background-color:white" | -- || >&nbsp;[[#Bara Jam|Bara]] || <&nbsp;[[#Bara Jam|Bara]] || *&nbsp;[[#Velox Jams|Velox Turbo]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|<!-- Row 6 -->
|| <>&nbsp;[[#PolyJamorous|PolyJamorous]] || <&nbsp;[[#PolyJamorous|PolyJamorous]] || >&nbsp;[[#Ossan Jam|Ossan]] || <&nbsp;[[#Ossan Jam|Ossan]] || >&nbsp;[[#Menhera VN Jam|Menhera]] || <&nbsp;[[#Menhera VN Jam|Menhera]]
|| *&nbsp;[[#Nonbinary Game Jam|Nonbinary]] || >&nbsp;[[#Josei After Dark Jam|Josei After Dark]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Josei After Dark Jam|Josei After Dark]] || <&nbsp;[[#Josei After Dark Jam|Josei After Dark]] || >&nbsp;[[#PolyJamorous|PolyJamorous]] || <>&nbsp;[[#PolyJamorous|PolyJamorous]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|<!-- Row 7 -->
|| >&nbsp;[[#Queer Vampire Game Jam|Queer Vampire]] || <&nbsp;[[#Queer Vampire Game Jam|Queer Vampire]] || style="background-color:white" | -- || style="background-color:white" | -- || style="background-color:white" | -- || >&nbsp;[[#Fixit VN Jam|Fixit]]
|| <&nbsp;[[#Fixit VN Jam|Fixit]] || >&nbsp;[[#Monstrous Desires Jam|Monstrous Desires]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Monstrous Desires Jam|Monstrous Desires]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Monstrous Desires Jam|Monstrous Desires]] || <&nbsp;[[#Monstrous Desires Jam|Monstrous Desires]] || style="background-color:white" | --
|- style="vertical-align:top;"|<!-- Row 8 -->
| style="background-color:white" | -- || style="background-color:white" | -- || style="background-color:white" | -- || style="background-color:white" | -- || >&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]]
|| <>&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]] || <>&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]] || <&nbsp;[[#Disabled Rep VN Jam|Disabled Rep]]
|}
 
== January ==
 
=== Ace Jam ===


A jam for stories featuring asexual characters.
A jam for stories featuring asexual characters.
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|}
|}


=== NaNoWinter ===  
=== Queer Vampire Game Jam ===


A NaNoRenO inspired jam, taking place in winter.
A month-long interactive fiction jam, focused on queer relationships and experiences with vampires as the focus.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || 2015 ||  3 || --- || --- || https://itch.io/jam/nanowinter2015
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 ||  58 || 304 || 5.24 || https://itch.io/jam/queer-vampire
|-
|}
|}


=== Queer Vampire Game Jam ===
=== Sealed With A Kiss Jam (SWAK) ===
 
{{main|Sealed With A Kiss Jam}}
A month-long interactive fiction jam, focused on queer relationships and experiences with vampires as the focus.
A [[DevTalk]] sponsored jam for creating "fantastical romance" visual novels, featuring at least one kiss.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  || 58 || 304 || 5.24 || https://itch.io/jam/queer-vampire
| 1st || 2025 || --- || 201 (partial) || ---- || https://itch.io/jam/swakjam-2025
|-
|-
|}
|}


=== Visual Novel AI Jam ===
=== Road Trip Game Jam ===
 
A jam about artificial intelligence characters.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  |--- || 127 || --- || https://itch.io/jam/visual-novel-ai-jam-2023
| 1st || 2025 || --- || 95 (partial) || ---- || https://itch.io/jam/road-trip-game-jam
|-
|-
|}
|}


== '''February''' ==
== February ==
=== Amare Games Festival ===


=== Yandere Game Jam ===
A jam focusing on diversity in romance.
 
A jam focusing on the anime trope of aggressive expressions of affection.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 3rd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 57 || 304 || 5.33 || https://itch.io/jam/yanjam24
| 4th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2025 || --- || --- || --- || https://itch.io/jam/amare-games-festival-2025
|-
| 3rd || 2024 || 33 || 77 || 2.33 || https://itch.io/jam/amare-games-festival-2024
|-
|-
| 2nd || 2023 || 46 || 191 || 4.15 || https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam-2023
| 2nd || 2023 || 42 || 80 || 1.90 || https://itch.io/jam/amare-game-festival-2023
|-
|-
| 1st || 2022 || 21 || 90 || 4.29 || https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam
| 1st || 2022 || 12 || 56 || 4.67 || https://itch.io/jam/amare-jam
|}
|}
<references/>


=== Valentine's VN Jam ===  
=== Yandere Game Jam ===


A love-themed visual novel jam.
A jam focusing on the anime trope of aggressive expressions of affection.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st ||  2021 ||  51 || 259 || 5.08 || https://itch.io/jam/valentines-vn-jam-2021
| 3rd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 57 || 304 || 5.33 || https://itch.io/jam/yanjam24
|-
| 2nd || 2023 || 46 || 191 || 4.15 || https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam-2023
|-
| 1st || 2022  ||  21 || 90 || 4.29 || https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam
|}
|}


=== Aro Jam ===  
=== Aro Jam ===


A jam for stories featuring aromantic characters.
A jam for stories featuring aromantic characters.
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|}
|}


== '''March''' ==
=== Make Visual Novel Assets Jam (MVNA) ===
{{main|Make Visual Novel Assets Jam}}
A two-week jam run by [[DevTalk]] where participants create assets that could be used by other developers in their own visual novels.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || 2025 || --- || 86 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/make-visual-novels-assets-jam
|}
 
== March ==


=== [[NaNoRenO]] ===  
=== NaNoRenO ===
{{main|NaNoRenO}}


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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
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|}
|}


=== IntRenAiMo ===  
=== IntRenAiMo ===


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


=== Ossan Jam ===  
=== Ossan Jam ===


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


== '''April''' ==
== April ==


=== Amare Jam ===
=== Blossom Jam ===
 
A jam focusing on diversity in romance.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 3rd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 33 || 77 || 2.33 || https://itch.io/jam/amare-games-festival-2024
|-
| 2nd || 2023 || 42 || 80 || 1.90 || https://itch.io/jam/amare-game-festival-2023
|-
| 1st || 2022 || 12 || 56 || 4.67 || https://itch.io/jam/amare-jam
|}
 
=== Blossom Jam ===  


A casual jam with the theme of "Spring".
A casual jam with the theme of "Spring".
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|}
|}


=== VN CUP ===  
=== Disabled Rep VN Jam ===


A jam with judging and prizes.
An eight-month jam focused on characters with a disability.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 2nd || 2023  || 32 || --  || -- ||
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 11 || 21 || 1.91 || https://itch.io/jam/disabled-rep-vn-jam
https://twitter.com/vn_cup/status/1650225424612626432<br>https://visualnovel.neocities.org/finals
|-
| 1st || 2022  || 36 || --  || -- || https://twitter.com/vn_cup/status/1536925478010834944<br>https://visualnovel.neocities.org/submission
|}
|}


=== Velox Fabula ===
=== Velox Formido ===
 
See [[#Velox Jams|Velox Jams]], below.
A Ludum Dare-inspired jam with short durations and theme requirements. Has challenge editions, Velox Turbo and Velox Formido, with even shorter durations.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 3rd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  ||  16 || 36  || 2.25 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-formido
|-
| 2nd || 2023  || 15 || 53 || 3.53 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-turbo
|-
| 1st || 2023  || 19  || 72 || 3.79 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-fabula
|}


== '''May''' ==
== May ==


=== Otome Jam ===  
=== Otome Jam ===


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


=== Josei 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.
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.
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|}
|}


=== Transformation Jam ===
=== Menhera VN Jam ===
 
A two-month game jam featuring the uniting theme of transformation. Games that are already in progress are allowed to be submitted.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || 2023 || 11 || 47 || 4.27 || https://itch.io/jam/transformation-game-jam
|}
 
=== Menhera VN Jam ===  


A jam focusing on queer characters with mental health problems. Has judging and prizes.
A jam focusing on queer characters with mental health problems. Has judging and prizes.
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|}
|}


=== Worst VN Jam ===  
=== Worst VN Jam ===


A jam focusing on making intentionally bad visual novels. Developers may also submit their visual novels to be fixed in companion Fixit VN Jam.
A jam focusing on making intentionally bad visual novels. Developers may also submit their visual novels to be fixed in companion Fixit VN Jam.
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|}
|}


== '''June''' ==
== June ==


=== Trans Representation Jam ===  
=== Trans Representation Jam ===


A jam focused on trans representation.
A jam focused on trans representation.
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! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 3rd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || 177 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/trans-representation-jam-24
| 3rd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 25 || 186 || 7.44 || https://itch.io/jam/trans-representation-jam-24
|-
|-
| 2nd ||  2023 || 23 || 173 || 7.52 || https://itch.io/jam/jam-representation-jam-2023
| 2nd ||  2023 || 23 || 173 || 7.52 || https://itch.io/jam/jam-representation-jam-2023
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|}
|}


=== Battle Action Fantasy (BAF) Jam ===  
=== Battle Action Fantasy (BAF) Jam ===


A jam around chuunige and shonen battle action fantasy tropes.
A jam around chuunige and shonen battle action fantasy tropes.
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|}
|}


=== TyranoBuilder Jam (TyranoJam) ===
=== Fixit VN Jam ===
 
A visual novel jam with an engine restriction, and themes.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 3rd || 2018 || 17 || 97  || 5.71 || https://itch.io/jam/tyranojam18
|-
| 2nd || 2017 || 44 || 320  || 7.27 || https://itch.io/jam/tyranojam17
|-
| 1st || 2015 || 33 || 41  || 1.24 || https://itch.io/jam/tyranojam15
|}
 
=== YaoiJam + ===
 
For finishing existing Yaoi Game Jam compatible projects previously submitted to other jams.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 3rd || 2022  || 0 || 37  || --- || https://itch.io/jam/yaoijamplus2022
|-
| 2nd || 2021 || 3 || 26  || 8.67 || https://itch.io/jam/yaoijamplus2021
|-
| 1st || 2020 || 5 || 24  || 4.80 || https://itch.io/jam/yaoijamplus
|}
 
=== Fixit VN Jam ===  


Companion jam to Worst VN Jam, where developers remix intentionally bad visual novels into better ones.
Companion jam to Worst VN Jam, where developers remix intentionally bad visual novels into better ones.
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|}
|}


=== Mythology VN Jam ===  
=== Mythology VN Jam ===


A jam focused on mythology.
A jam focused on mythology.
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! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || 40 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/mythology-vn-jam
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 15 || 44 || 2.93 || https://itch.io/jam/mythology-vn-jam
|}
|}


== '''July''' ==
== July ==


=== [[O2A2 VN Jam]] ===  
=== O2A2 Visual Novel Jam ===
{{main|O2A2 Visual Novel Jam}}


A minimalist jam with restrictions on resources (use only one of any asset). Has a queer edition with focus on LGBTQ+ developers.
A minimalist jam with restrictions on resources (use only one of any asset). Has a queer edition with focus on LGBTQ+ developers.
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! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 6th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 192 || 403 || 2.10 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2024
| 6th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 192 || 408 || 2.13 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2024
|-
|-
| 5th || 2023 || 155 || 316 || 2.04 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2023
| 5th || 2023 || 155 || 316 || 2.04 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2023
|-
|-
| 4th || 2023 || 103 || 173 || 1.68 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-vn-2023-queer
| 4th || 2023 || 103 || 188 || 1.83 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-vn-2023-queer
|-
|-
| 3rd || 2022 || 106 || 186 || 1.75 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2022
| 3rd || 2022 || 106 || 186 || 1.75 || https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2022
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|}
|}


=== Summer Novel Festival (SuNoFes) ===  
=== Summer Novel Festival (SuNoFes) ===
{{main|SuNoFes}}


A two-month low-stakes jam focused on narrative games.
A two-month low-stakes jam focused on narrative games.
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! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 10th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || 1391 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/sunofes24
| 10th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 187 || 1450 || 7.75 || https://itch.io/jam/sunofes24
|-
|-
| 9th || 2023 || 67 || 169 || 2.52 || https://itch.io/jam/sunofes23
| 9th || 2023 || 67 || 169 || 2.52 || https://itch.io/jam/sunofes23
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|}
|}


=== Yaoi Game Jam ===  
=== Yaoi Game Jam ===


A two-month game jam focused on M/M relationships for a female audience.
A two-month game jam focused on M/M relationships for a female audience.
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! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 9th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  || --- || 221 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-game-jam-2024
| 9th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  || 33 || 228 || 6.91 || https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-game-jam-2024
|-
|-
| 8th || 2023  || 24 || 293  || 12.21 || https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-game-jam-2023
| 8th || 2023  || 24 || 293  || 12.21 || https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-game-jam-2023
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|}
|}


=== Nonbinary Game Jam ===  
=== Nonbinary Game Jam ===


A jam for stories featuring nonbinary characters.
A jam for stories featuring nonbinary characters.
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 7th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 3 || 10 || 3.33 || https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam-2024
|-
|-
| 6th || 2023 || 10 || 41  || 4.10 || https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam-2023
| 6th || 2023 || 10 || 41  || 4.10 || https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam-2023
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|}
|}


=== Bishoujo Jam ===  
== August ==


A jam focusing on pretty anime girls and a male protagonist.
=== Monstrous Desires Jam ===


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
A visual novel jam focused around romantic stories featuring monsters.
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 2nd || 2022  || 4 || 29  || 7.25 || https://itch.io/jam/bishoujo-jam-2022
|-
| 1st || 2018 || 1 || 67  || 67.00 || https://itch.io/jam/bishoujo-jam
|}
 
=== Shoot For The Stars Jam ===
 
A VN jam focused on the topic of stars and space.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || 2020 || 12 || 22  || 1.83 || https://itch.io/jam/shoot-for-the-stars-jam
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  || 58 || 378 || 6.52 || https://itch.io/jam/monstrous-desires-2024
|}
 
=== Search For The Truth Jam ===
 
A VN jam for Ace Attorney style visual novels.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || 2018 || 3 || 39  || 13.00 || https://itch.io/jam/search-for-the-truth
|}
|}


=== Yuri Visual Novel Jam ===
=== Josei After Dark Jam ===


''Not to be confused with the annual [[#Yuri_Game_Jam_(YuriJam)|Yuri Game Jam]].''
A jam focused on 18+ josei games.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || 2023 || 0 || 9 || --- || https://itch.io/jam/vn-yuri-jam
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  || 17 || 139 || 8.18 || https://itch.io/jam/josei-after-dark
|}
 
=== Ukrainian Visual Novel Jam ===
 
A jam focused on making Ukrainian language visual novels. Has ratings and prizes.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 5th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  || --- || 116 || --- || https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-5
|-
| 4th || 2024 || 61 || -- || -- || https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-4
|-
| 3rd || 2023 || 58 || -- || -- || https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-3
|-
| 2nd || 2023 || 69 || -- || -- || https://itch.io/jam/visualnovel-jam-ua-2
|-
| 1st || 2022 || 53 || -- || -- || https://itch.io/jam/visualnovel-jam-ua
|}
|}


== '''August''' ==
=== Velox Fabula ===
See [[#Velox Jams|Velox Jams]], below.


=== Object Head Jam ===  
== September ==


A jam focused on the object head aesthetic.
=== Spooktober Visual Novel Jam ===
 
{{main|Spooktober Visual Novel Jam}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || 2021 || 8 || 65  || 8.13 || https://itch.io/jam/object-head-jam-2021
|}
 
=== BL Jam ===  
 
A jam emphasizing M/M relationships.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || 2018 || 2 || 24  || 12.00 || https://itch.io/jam/blgamejam
|}
 
=== Monstrous Desires Jam ===
 
A visual novel jam focused around romantic stories featuring monsters.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  ||  --- || 169 (partial) || --- || 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.
A jam with a broad theme of Halloween, horror and mystery, with judging and prizes.
Line 614: Line 543:
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 6th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || --- || --- || https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-2024
| 6th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 272 || 1487 || 5.47 || https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-2024
|-
|-
| 5th || 2023 || 210 || 1097 || 5.22 || https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-2023
| 5th || 2023 || 210 || 1097 || 5.22 || https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-2023
Line 627: Line 556:
|}
|}


=== Mushroom Jam ===
== October ==
 
A jam focused on various types of fungi.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || 2023 || 28 || 271 || 9.68 || https://itch.io/jam/mushroomm
|}
 
=== Ren'Py Jam ===
 
A jam mainly for visual novels, with an engine restriction.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || 2018 || 27 || 115  || 4.26 || https://itch.io/jam/renpy-jam
|}
 
 
== '''October''' ==
 
=== Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam) ===  


=== Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam) ===
{{main|Yuri Game Jam}}
A jam emphasizing relationships between women.
A jam emphasizing relationships between women.


Line 657: Line 565:
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 10th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || ---  || --- || https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2024
| 10th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 106 || 552 || 5.21 || https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2024
|-
|-
| 9th || 2023  || 68 || 335  || 4.93 || https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2023
| 9th || 2023  || 68 || 335  || 4.93 || https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2023
Line 678: Line 586:
|}
|}


=== Bara Jam ===  
=== Bara Jam ===


A jam themed around a hypermasculine anime aesthetic.
A jam themed around a hypermasculine anime aesthetic.
Line 685: Line 593:
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 6th || 2023  ||  16 || 57 || 3.56 || https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2023
| 7th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  ||  20 || 81 || 4.05 || https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2024
|-
| 6th || 2023  ||  16 || 80 || 5.00|| https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2023
|-
|-
| 5th || 2022  ||  18 || 62 || 3.44 || https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2022
| 5th || 2022  ||  18 || 62 || 3.44 || https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2022
Line 698: Line 608:
|}
|}


=== Once Upon A Time VN Jam ===  
=== Once Upon A Time VN Jam (OUAT) ===


A jam themed around fairy tales.
A jam themed around fairy tales.
Line 704: Line 614:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 2nd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || 130 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/ouat-2024
|-
|-
| 1st || 2023 || 33 || 280  || 8.48 || https://itch.io/jam/once-upon-a-time-vn-jam
| 1st || 2023 || 33 || 280  || 8.48 || https://itch.io/jam/once-upon-a-time-vn-jam
|}
|}


== '''November''' ==
=== Dying Year Visual Novel Jam ===
 
A jam focused on death, grief, and tragedy.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || 252 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/dying-year-vn-jam
|}


== November ==


=== BirdJam ===
=== PolyJamorous ===


A jam for stories featuring birds.
A jam for narrative-focused games that include polyamory.


{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: 10px" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: 10px" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || 2022  || 40 || 200 || 5.00 || https://itch.io/jam/birdjam
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || 54 (partial) || --- || https://itch.io/jam/polyjamorous2024
|}
|}


=== ViNoWriMo ===
=== Games From the Heart Jam ===
 
A 16-day jam themed around the phrase "open up", which encourages submissions that are personal & emotional for developers.
A visual novel writing jam parallel to the NaNoWriMo event.


{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: 10px" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: 10px" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || 2020 || 20 || 138 || 6.90 || https://itch.io/jam/vinowrimo
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 12 || 49 || 4.08 || https://itch.io/jam/games-from-the-heart-jam-
|}
|}


== '''December''' ==
== December ==


=== [[Winter VN Jam]] ===
=== Winter Visual Novel Jam ===
{{main|Winter Visual Novel Jam}}


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


{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: 10px" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: 10px" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 5th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || --- || 407 (partial) || ---- || https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2024
|-
|-
| 4th || 2023 || 73 || 380 || 5.21 || https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2023
| 4th || 2023 || 73 || 380 || 5.21 || https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2023
Line 749: Line 672:
|}
|}


=== Black Visual Novel Jam ===
=== Velox Turbo ===
See [[#Velox Jams|Velox Jams]], below.


A visual novel jam focused on Black creators and voice acting.
== Miscellaneous ==
 
=== Ukrainian Visual Novel Jam ===
 
A jam focused on making Ukrainian language visual novels. Has ratings and prizes.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| 5th || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024  || 49 || 153 || 3.12 || https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-5
|-
| 4th || 2024 || 61 || 176 || 2.89 || https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-4
|-
| 3rd || 2023 || 58 || 201 || 3.47 || https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-3
|-
| 2nd || 2023 || 69 || 185 || 2.68 || https://itch.io/jam/visualnovel-jam-ua-2
|-
| 1st || 2022 || 53 || 165 || 3.11 || https://itch.io/jam/visualnovel-jam-ua
|}


This jam also has a "micro" version, stated to have been inspired by [[O2A2 Visual Novel Jam]].
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
|-
| 1st || 2022 ||| 2 || 56 || 28.00 || https://itch.io/jam/black-visual-novel-jam-
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 109 || 216 || 1.98 || https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-micro-visual-novel-jam
|}
|}


=== Finish Your Visual Novel (FYVN Jam) ===
=== Velox Jams ===


A jam where you challenge yourself to finish your in-progress VN project by the end of the year.
A Ludum Dare-inspired jam with short durations and theme requirements. Has three versions: Velox Fabula (the original), and Velox Turbo and Velox Formido, with even shorter durations. Velox Fabula occurs in August, Velox Turbo in December, and Velox Formido in April.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right";
! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
! Edition !! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
|-
| Turbo || 2nd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 15 || 49 || 3.27 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-turbo-2
|-
| Fabula || 2nd || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 23 || 54 || 2.35 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-fabula-2
|-
| Formido || 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 16 || 36 || 2.25 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-formido
|-
|-
| 2nd || 2021 || 10 || 25 || 2.50 || https://itch.io/jam/finish-your-visual-novel
| Turbo || 1st || 2023 || 15 || 53 || 3.53 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-turbo
|-
|-
| 1st || 2020 || 12 || 56 || 4.67 || https://itch.io/jam/finish-your-vn
| Fabula || 1st || 2023 || 19 || 72 || 3.79 || https://itch.io/jam/velox-fabula
|}
|}
== See Also ==
* [[List of discontinued visual novel jams]]
* [[Visual novel jam statistics]]




{{jam nav}}
{{jam nav}}

Latest revision as of 18:44, 17 December 2024

This is a list of ongoing visual novel jams, jams favored by visual novel developers, and jams producing a significant amount of visual novels.

Jams are categorized under the month when the most recent edition of the jam began. If a jam runs multiple times in a year or has an inconsistent starting month, then it is categorized under miscellaneous. The current calendar year of jams is highlighted.

This page lists basic statistics about each iteration of a jam. For condensed statistics and leaderboards, see Visual novel jam statistics.

Data Collection Methods & How to Interpret

Main article: Interpreting jam statistics

The VNDev Wiki collects the officially visible participant and entry counts on the itch.io jam page, immediately after the jam is completed. Caveats for this data and information about the "participants/entry" statistic are available on the above reference page.

A jam is considered ongoing if it is not "discontinued". See List of discontinued visual novel jams for details.

Schedule of Jams

The following table showcases what jams begin, end, and continue during each month of the year. Only ongoing jams with consistent schedules are shown, and jams may begin/end partway through the month.

Key of symbols:

* Jam occurs within a single month

> Jam begins and continues to next month

<> Jam continues from previous month to next month

< Jam continues from previous month and ends

January February March April May June July August September October November December
Ace Aro NaNoRenO Velox Formido Worst Battle Action Fantasy O2A2 Velox Fabula Spooktober -- Games from the Heart Winter
SWAK MVNA IntRenAiMo -- Otome Otome SuNoFes <> SuNoFes SuNoFes Yuri <> Yuri Yuri
OUAT Amare Amare -- Josei Josei Yaoi Yaoi -- OUAT <> OUAT <> OUAT
Road Trip <> Road Trip <> Road Trip Road Trip -- Mythology <> Mythology <> Mythology Mythology Dying Year <> Dying Year Dying Year
Yandere <> Yandere Yandere Blossom Blossom Trans Rep <> Trans Rep Trans Rep -- Bara Bara Velox Turbo
<> PolyJamorous PolyJamorous Ossan Ossan Menhera Menhera Nonbinary Josei After Dark <> Josei After Dark Josei After Dark PolyJamorous <> PolyJamorous
Queer Vampire Queer Vampire -- -- -- Fixit Fixit Monstrous Desires <> Monstrous Desires <> Monstrous Desires Monstrous Desires --
-- -- -- -- Disabled Rep <> Disabled Rep <> Disabled Rep <> Disabled Rep <> Disabled Rep <> Disabled Rep <> Disabled Rep Disabled Rep

January

Ace Jam

A jam for stories featuring asexual characters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
7th 2024 11 43 3.91 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2024
6th 2023 8 24 3.00 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2023
5th 2022 7 24 3.43 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2022
4th 2021 3 9 3.00 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2021
3rd 2020 3 18 6.00 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2020
2nd 2019 10 52 5.20 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam-2019
1st 2018 22 99 4.50 https://itch.io/jam/ace-jam

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 Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 58 304 5.24 https://itch.io/jam/queer-vampire

Sealed With A Kiss Jam (SWAK)

Main article: Sealed With A Kiss Jam

A DevTalk sponsored jam for creating "fantastical romance" visual novels, featuring at least one kiss.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2025 --- 201 (partial) ---- https://itch.io/jam/swakjam-2025

Road Trip Game Jam

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2025 --- 95 (partial) ---- https://itch.io/jam/road-trip-game-jam

February

Amare Games Festival

A jam focusing on diversity in romance.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
4th 2025 --- --- --- https://itch.io/jam/amare-games-festival-2025
3rd 2024 33 77 2.33 https://itch.io/jam/amare-games-festival-2024
2nd 2023 42 80 1.90 https://itch.io/jam/amare-game-festival-2023
1st 2022 12 56 4.67 https://itch.io/jam/amare-jam

Yandere Game Jam

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

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
3rd 2024 57 304 5.33 https://itch.io/jam/yanjam24
2nd 2023 46 191 4.15 https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam-2023
1st 2022 21 90 4.29 https://itch.io/jam/yandere-game-jam

Aro Jam

A jam for stories featuring aromantic characters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
5th 2024 6 43 7.17 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam-2024
4th 2023 2 26 13.00 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam-2023
3rd 2022 6 22 3.67 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam-2022
2nd 2021 2 6 3.00 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam-2021
1st 2019 2 26 13.00 https://itch.io/jam/aro-jam

Make Visual Novel Assets Jam (MVNA)

Main article: Make Visual Novel Assets Jam

A two-week jam run by DevTalk where participants create assets that could be used by other developers in their own visual novels.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2025 --- 86 (partial) --- https://itch.io/jam/make-visual-novels-assets-jam

March

NaNoRenO

Main article: NaNoRenO

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

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
20th 2024 152 466 3.07 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2024
19th 2023 161 708 4.40 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno2023
18th 2022 185 891 4.82 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2022
17th 2021 88 394 4.48 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2021
16th 2020 105 450 4.29 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2020
15th 2019 88 330 3.75 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2019
14th 2018 71 235 3.31 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2018
13th 2017 68 439 6.46 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2017
12th 2016 75 178 2.37 https://itch.io/jam/nanoreno-2016
11th 2015 34 39 1.15 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 Partic./Entry Link
20th 2024 -- -- --
19th 2023 -- -- --
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 Partic./Entry Link
2nd 2024 7 32 4.57 https://itch.io/jam/ossan-jam
1st 2023 7 41 5.86 https://itch.io/jam/ojijam

April

Blossom Jam

A casual jam with the theme of "Spring".

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
2nd 2024 32 170 5.31 https://itch.io/jam/blossom-vn-jam-2024
1st 2023 45 243 5.40 https://itch.io/jam/blossom-vn-jam-2023

Disabled Rep VN Jam

An eight-month jam focused on characters with a disability.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 11 21 1.91 https://itch.io/jam/disabled-rep-vn-jam

Velox Formido

See Velox Jams, below.

May

Otome Jam

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

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
6th 2024 103 802 7.79 https://itch.io/jam/otome-jam-2024
5th 2023 71 312 4.39 https://itch.io/jam/otome-jam-2023
4th 2022 56 224 4.00 https://itch.io/jam/otome-jam
3rd 2021 28 163 5.82 https://itch.io/jam/otomejam
2nd 2019 6 57 9.50 https://itch.io/jam/otome-games-jam-2019
1st 2018 7 76 10.86 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 Partic./Entry Link
2nd 2024 66 323 4.89 https://itch.io/jam/josei-jam-2024
1st 2023 66 177 2.68 https://itch.io/jam/josei-jam-2023

Menhera VN Jam

A jam focusing on queer characters with mental health problems. Has judging and prizes.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 49 177 3.61 https://itch.io/jam/menhera-vn-jam

Worst VN Jam

A jam focusing on making intentionally bad visual novels. Developers may also submit their visual novels to be fixed in companion Fixit VN Jam.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 64 185 2.89 https://itch.io/jam/worstvn2024

June

Trans Representation Jam

A jam focused on trans representation.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
3rd 2024 25 186 7.44 https://itch.io/jam/trans-representation-jam-24
2nd 2023 23 173 7.52 https://itch.io/jam/jam-representation-jam-2023
1st 2022 23 183 7.96 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 Partic./Entry Link
2nd 2024 5 13 2.60 https://itch.io/jam/baf-jam-2024
1st 2023 12 107 8.92 https://itch.io/jam/baf-jam-2023

Fixit VN Jam

Companion jam to Worst VN Jam, where developers remix intentionally bad visual novels into better ones.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 4 32 8.00 https://itch.io/jam/fixitvn

Mythology VN Jam

A jam focused on mythology.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 15 44 2.93 https://itch.io/jam/mythology-vn-jam

July

O2A2 Visual Novel Jam

Main article: O2A2 Visual Novel Jam

A minimalist jam with restrictions on resources (use only one of any asset). Has a queer edition with focus on LGBTQ+ developers.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
6th 2024 192 408 2.13 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2024
5th 2023 155 316 2.04 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2023
4th 2023 103 188 1.83 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-vn-2023-queer
3rd 2022 106 186 1.75 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2022
2nd 2021 96 182 1.90 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-again
1st 2020 20 46 2.30 https://itch.io/jam/o2a2

Summer Novel Festival (SuNoFes)

Main article: SuNoFes

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

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
10th 2024 187 1450 7.75 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes24
9th 2023 67 169 2.52 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes23
8th 2022 115 965 8.39 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes22
7th 2021 69 678 9.83 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes21
6th 2020 62 368 5.94 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes20
5th 2019 4 79 19.75 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes19
4th 2018 9 78 8.67 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes18
3rd 2017 17 196 11.53 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes17
2nd 2016 10 60 6.00 https://itch.io/jam/sunofes16
1st 2015 12 13 1.08 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 Partic./Entry Link
9th 2024 33 228 6.91 https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-game-jam-2024
8th 2023 24 293 12.21 https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-game-jam-2023
7th 2022 41 373 9.10 https://itch.io/jam/yaoi-jam-game-2022
6th 2021 34 259 7.62 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam2021
5th 2020 36 189 5.25 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam2020
4th 2019 12 84 7.00 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam19
3rd 2018 22 123 5.59 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam18
2nd 2017 15 69 4.60 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam17
1st 2016 19 105 5.53 https://itch.io/jam/yaoijam

Nonbinary Game Jam

A jam for stories featuring nonbinary characters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
7th 2024 3 10 3.33 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam-2024
6th 2023 10 41 4.10 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam-2023
5th 2022 14 71 5.07 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinarygamejam2022
4th 2021 14 102 7.29 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinarygamejam2021
3rd 2020 15 107 7.13 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinarygamejam2020
2nd 2019 15 75 5.00 https://itch.io/jam/nonbinary-game-jam
1st 2016 3 30 10 https://itch.io/jam/enbyjam

August

Monstrous Desires Jam

A visual novel jam focused around romantic stories featuring monsters.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 58 378 6.52 https://itch.io/jam/monstrous-desires-2024

Josei After Dark Jam

A jam focused on 18+ josei games.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 17 139 8.18 https://itch.io/jam/josei-after-dark

Velox Fabula

See Velox Jams, below.

September

Spooktober Visual Novel Jam

Main article: Spooktober Visual Novel Jam

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

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
6th 2024 272 1487 5.47 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-2024
5th 2023 210 1097 5.22 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-2023
4th 2022 160 811 5.07 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-vn-jam-2022
3rd 2021 112 535 4.78 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-vn-jam-2021
2nd 2020 44 174 3.95 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-visual-novel-jam-by-devtalk2
1st 2019 15 63 4.20 https://itch.io/jam/spooktober-visual-novel-jam

October

Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam)

Main article: Yuri Game Jam

A jam emphasizing relationships between women.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
10th 2024 106 552 5.21 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2024
9th 2023 68 335 4.93 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2023
8th 2022 43 218 5.07 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2022
7th 2021 30 181 6.03 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2021
6th 2020 31 179 5.77 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2020
5th 2019 37 177 4.78 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2019
4th 2018 55 251 4.56 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2018
3rd 2017 66 325 4.92 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2017
2nd 2016 56 166 2.96 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam-2016
1st 2015 32 103 3.22 https://itch.io/jam/yuri-game-jam

Bara Jam

A jam themed around a hypermasculine anime aesthetic.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
7th 2024 20 81 4.05 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2024
6th 2023 16 80 5.00 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2023
5th 2022 18 62 3.44 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2022
4th 2021 23 120 5.22 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2021
3rd 2020 18 93 5.17 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2020
2nd 2019 19 79 4.16 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2019
1st 2018 9 52 5.78 https://itch.io/jam/barajam-2018

Once Upon A Time VN Jam (OUAT)

A jam themed around fairy tales.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
2nd 2024 --- 130 (partial) --- https://itch.io/jam/ouat-2024
1st 2023 33 280 8.48 https://itch.io/jam/once-upon-a-time-vn-jam

Dying Year Visual Novel Jam

A jam focused on death, grief, and tragedy.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 --- 252 (partial) --- https://itch.io/jam/dying-year-vn-jam

November

PolyJamorous

A jam for narrative-focused games that include polyamory.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 --- 54 (partial) --- https://itch.io/jam/polyjamorous2024

Games From the Heart Jam

A 16-day jam themed around the phrase "open up", which encourages submissions that are personal & emotional for developers.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 12 49 4.08 https://itch.io/jam/games-from-the-heart-jam-

December

Winter Visual Novel Jam

Main article: Winter Visual Novel Jam

A low-pressure jam with a broad theme of winter, the cold, and snow.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
5th 2024 --- 407 (partial) ---- https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2024
4th 2023 73 380 5.21 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2023
3rd 2022 138 852 6.17 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2022
2nd 2021 77 465 6.04 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2021
1st 2020 23 106 4.61 https://itch.io/jam/winter-vn-jam-2020

Velox Turbo

See Velox Jams, below.

Miscellaneous

Ukrainian Visual Novel Jam

A jam focused on making Ukrainian language visual novels. Has ratings and prizes.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
5th 2024 49 153 3.12 https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-5
4th 2024 61 176 2.89 https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-4
3rd 2023 58 201 3.47 https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-visual-novel-jam-3
2nd 2023 69 185 2.68 https://itch.io/jam/visualnovel-jam-ua-2
1st 2022 53 165 3.11 https://itch.io/jam/visualnovel-jam-ua

This jam also has a "micro" version, stated to have been inspired by O2A2 Visual Novel Jam.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
1st 2024 109 216 1.98 https://itch.io/jam/ukrainian-micro-visual-novel-jam

Velox Jams

A Ludum Dare-inspired jam with short durations and theme requirements. Has three versions: Velox Fabula (the original), and Velox Turbo and Velox Formido, with even shorter durations. Velox Fabula occurs in August, Velox Turbo in December, and Velox Formido in April.

Edition Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
Turbo 2nd 2024 15 49 3.27 https://itch.io/jam/velox-turbo-2
Fabula 2nd 2024 23 54 2.35 https://itch.io/jam/velox-fabula-2
Formido 1st 2024 16 36 2.25 https://itch.io/jam/velox-formido
Turbo 1st 2023 15 53 3.53 https://itch.io/jam/velox-turbo
Fabula 1st 2023 19 72 3.79 https://itch.io/jam/velox-fabula

See Also