List of ongoing visual novel jams: Difference between revisions

From VNDev Wiki
→‎Schedule of Jams: added Ossan Jam since I missed it for some reason
→‎Ongoing June Jams: moved Insect Jam to Discontinued
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| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 15 || 44 || 2.93 || https://itch.io/jam/mythology-vn-jam
| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 15 || 44 || 2.93 || https://itch.io/jam/mythology-vn-jam
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==== Insect (Adjacent) Jam ====
A jam focused on arthropods.
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! Nr. !! Year !! Entries !! Joined !! Partic./Entry !! Link
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| 1st || style="background-color:yellow" | 2024 || 0 || 15 || --- || https://itch.io/jam/insect-jam
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Revision as of 10:26, 29 November 2024

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

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.

Data Collection Methods & How to Interpret

Main article: Interpreting VN 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.

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.

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 -- * Worst * Battle Action Fantasy O2A2 -- Spooktober -- * Games from the Heart Winter
SWAK -- * 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 --
<> PolyJamorous < PolyJamorous > Ossan < Ossan > Menhera < Menhera * Nonbinary -- -- -- > PolyJamorous <> PolyJamorous
> Queer Vampire < Queer Vampire -- -- -- -- -- > Josei After Dark <> Josei After Dark <> Josei After Dark < Josei After Dark --
-- -- -- -- -- > 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

Ongoing Jams

Ongoing January Jams

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 VN 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 --- 78 (partial) ---- https://itch.io/jam/swakjam-2025

Road Trip Game Jam

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

Ongoing February Jams

Amare Jam

A jam focusing on diversity in romance.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
4th 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

Ongoing March Jams

NaNoRenO

Main article: NaNoRenO

The original visual novel jam, open for any VN 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

Ongoing April Jams

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 6 (partial) 19 (partial) --- https://itch.io/jam/disabled-rep-vn-jam

Ongoing May Jams

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

Ongoing June Jams

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

Ongoing July Jams

O2A2 VN Jam

Main article: O2A2 VN 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)

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

Ongoing August Jams

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

Ongoing September Jams

Spooktober VN Jam

Main article: Spooktober VN 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

Ongoing October Jams

Yuri Game Jam (YuriJam)

A jam emphasizing relationships between women.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
10th 2024 --- 537 (partial) --- 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 --- 69 (partial) --- 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 --- 125 (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 --- 245 (partial) --- https://itch.io/jam/dying-year-vn-jam

Ongoing November Jams

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 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 --- 45 (partial) --- https://itch.io/jam/games-from-the-heart-jam-

Ongoing December Jams

Winter VN Jam

Main article: Winter VN Jam

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

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
5th 2024 --- 295 (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

Other Ongoing Jams

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 VN Jam.

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

Velox Fabula

A Ludum Dare-inspired jam with short durations and theme requirements. Has challenge editions, Velox Turbo and Velox Formido, with even shorter durations.

Nr. Year Entries Joined Partic./Entry Link
5th 2024 --- --- --- https://itch.io/jam/velox-turbo-2
4th 2024 23 54 2.35 https://itch.io/jam/velox-fabula-2
3rd 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