List of ongoing visual novel jams
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
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 | --- | 93 (partial) | ---- | https://itch.io/jam/swakjam-2025 |
Road Trip Game Jam
Nr. | Year | Entries | Joined | Partic./Entry | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2025 | --- | 77 (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 | --- | --- | --- | 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 | --- | 245 (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 | --- | 363 (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 | --- | --- | --- | 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
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