Submissions open from 2026-03-15 04:00:00 to 2026-05-16 04:00:00
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About this Jam

This jam is hosted bySeal Sanctuary, an 18+ game development server focused primarily on visual novels, narrative experiences, and weird horror.

What is American Gothic?

The Newberry Library describes American Gothic as "a genre generally shifts away from the outward appearances of haunted landscapes and buildings, as well as outward signs of the supernatural, to the inward terrors of one’s own mind." It is, as Charles Crow outlines, “the imaginative expression of the fears and forbidden desires of Americans.” 

While doing research for how to describe American Gothic, I found a list of films from Letterboxd used Amedeo Santolini, who captioned his list with "America's great songs of decadence and longing."

Alternatively, you are fine to use this as a way to explore a type of Gothic in America. Often cited is Midwestern Gothic or Southern Gothic Interpret this how you desire. Use the examples below to help you gain some inspiration.

Rules

  1. This jam is not open to bigots. This jam is a celebration of art and community built by a wide array of fantastic individuals and their families. Fuck ICE. Their sympathizers are not welcome here.
  2. Sensitive themes are welcome, but please provide proper content warnings.
  3. You can submit an older project or start a new one. If you want to create a new project for this jam, you may start it before the jam opens.
  4. This jam is not exclusive to digital games. You can make zines, TTRPGs, comics, books, music, etc.
  5. You must put out a finished product. As in something that is playable/readable/etc and does not randomly stop or otherwise contain gamebreaking bugs.
    1. Demos are fine and encouraged!
    2. Projects can be "works in progress" that are updated over time.
  6. Fangames are allowed. You are responsible for giving all credits.
  7. Entries that use AI-generated assets, such as generated music, images, or text, are not allowed. If the hosts discover your entry used any form of generative AI, your entry will be disqualified.
  8. Members can work in either teams or solo. There is no restriction on how big your team can be, but be careful on overscoping.

What are some examples of the American Gothic?

Note: Not all may be "accurate" since I am not an expert in the genre, but I hope these provide great inspiration!

NOVELS AND LITERATURE

  • House of Leaves (2000)
  • The Yellow Wallpaper (1892)
  • We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962)
  • The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)
  • Moby-Dick or, The Whale (1851)

MUSIC

FILM

  • In the Heat of the Night (1967)
  • Days of Heaven (1978)
  • Fargo (1996)
  • The Night of the Hunter (1955)