DOSember is an annual streaming event on twitch.tv

Now approaching its 6th year, DOSember participants spend the entire month of December celebrating DOS games, and their surrounding communities.

Last year the event attracted over 300 participants, and we are expecting record numbers this year!
So, naturally, it's time to run a DOS jam!

If you want to make something from scratch, go for it! If you've an abandoned project you'd like to finish, that's more than welcome, too! There's no voting, here — the focus is on making more playable content for DOS overall.

F.A.Q.

What are the requirements?

Participants make a game that runs in DOS and/or a DOS emulator.
That's it.

When is it?

The jam itself runs from September to the end of November (three months).

Who can participate?

You. 
(You do not have to be a DOSember participant to join in on the jam!)

Why should I make a DOS game?

Because you want to, hopefully! And because you can!
Maybe love, maybe spite, maybe pure masochism. I don't know. It's up to you.

How do I make a DOS game?

Great question. There are many, many ways to make games for DOS.
Here are some examples, for different genres and skill sets:

💾 Adventure Creation Kit -  A classic tool for making 2D, tile-based RPGs
💾 LoveDOS  - A framework for making 2D DOS games in Lua
💾 ADVGEN - Vintage text adventure compiler and interpreter written in QuickBASIC
💾 RSD Game-Maker - A classic tool for making simple DOS games
💾 Modding an existing DOS shareware game, e.g. Commander Keen, Cosmo, Dangerous Dave, Duke Nukem II, etc.
💾 QBASIC - Classic, "simple" programming language for MS-DOS

These are just some stray starting ideas, don't let them limit you!

I'm confused. And lonely.

That's... not a question, but I'm sorry to hear that! If you'd like to get involved with the community, feel free to join the Retro Computer Events Discord, here.

Other things to note:

One unique draw of this jam is that if you submit something, there's a good chance someone will stream it! Please do be mindful of content, and your own and others' feelings, when submitting something to share with the community.

No generative AI, and/or bigoted content, please.

Special thanks to Michael Klamerus and members of the DOS Shareware Zone community for their inspiration and support.

That's about it! See you in DOSember! 

- Emmy