List of VN jams
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 | 33 | 120[1] | 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 | 151 | 453[1] | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
2nd | 2024 | 7 | --- | 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 | 34 | 77 | 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 | 32 | --- | 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 |
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 | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
3rd | 2024 | 16 | -- | https://itch.io/jam/velox-formido |
2nd | 2023 | 15 | -- | https://itch.io/jam/velox-turbo |
1st | 2023 | 19 | -- | https://itch.io/jam/velox-fabula |
May
Otome Jam
A two-month jam focusing on romantic games with a female protagonist.
Nr. | Year | Entries | Joined | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
6th | 2024 | 106 | 777 | 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 | 87 | 301 | 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 |
Menhera VN Jam
A jam focusing on queer characters with mental health problems. Has judging and prizes.
Nr. | Year | Entries | Joined | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2024 | --- | --- | 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 | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2024 | 54 | 183 | https://itch.io/jam/worstvn2024 |
June
Trans Representation Jam
A jam focused on trans representation.
Nr. | Year | Entries | Joined | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
3rd | 2024 | 4 | 164 | https://itch.io/jam/trans-representation-jam-24 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
2nd | 2024 | 1 | 13 | https://itch.io/jam/baf-jam-2024 |
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 |
Fixit VN Jam
Companion jam to Worst VN Jam, where developers remix intentionally bad visual novels into better ones.
Nr. | Year | Entries | Joined | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2024 | --- | --- | https://itch.io/jam/fixitvn |
Mythology VN Jam
A jam focused on mythology.
Nr. | Year | Entries | Joined | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2024 | --- | --- | https://itch.io/jam/mythology-vn-jam |
July
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 | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
6th | 2024 | --- | --- | https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2024 |
5th | 2023 | 154 | 316 | https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-2023 |
4th | 2023 | 103 | 173[1] | https://itch.io/jam/o2a2-vn-2023-queer |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
10th | 2024 | --- | --- | https://itch.io/jam/sunofes24 |
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 |
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