Before there was 50 Shades of Grey, before there was Twilight, there was Fabio.

Romance novels have always occupied the popular consciousness, but what's actually hiding in this much-ridiculed, forbidden genre? And can we learn from it to make cool games?

Romance, as a genre, has a firm place within video games. Visual novels, which are often rooted in the romance genre, have a large and loyal following. We've all fanned ourselves over some Bioware hottie before. So let's pay homage to our forebearers.

Pick a romance novel cover that inspires you and make something in 48h!

Important! This jam is not intended to make fun of trashy romance. If you do want to make a parody, please do so from a place of love and general respect for the genre, but I would like to encourage you to try to write romance in earnest!

No matter the state of your submission by the end of the jam, you're allowed to submit it! Failed and unfinished work is valuable and valid.

If you've got any other questions or just want to hang out: Join my discord here!

Fabio Lanzoni was a model who modelled for countless romance novel covers in the 90s. He has become almost synonymous with a certain brand of romance. If you google "fabio romance novel cover" you'll find countless examples, even some books he co-authored.

Do I have to use a cover with Fabio on it?

Nope! Use whatever romance novel cover from whatever era strikes your fancy. Want to use this poly lesbians 1950s pulp novel? Go ahead! In love with the beautiful cover of Alyssa Cole's A Princess In Theory? Yes yes yes! Just make sure it's actually a romance novel cover.

Do I have to make a visual novel?

No! You can make a game in any genre you wish. Your grand romance is a roguelike collectathon military shooter? Nice!

Do I have to make a video game?

No again! Just make whatever you feel expresses your story best. You're allowed to submit anything, even a photograph of two kissing stick figures you drew on a napkin at the bar.

However, if you're a writer who'd like to try to make a game, there's lots of ways to do so. Twine is a tool made for people exactly like you! RenPy is a fairly easy to use engine for visual novels.

Am I allowed to something sexy?

Yes! Just make sure it's clearly marked as such.

Can I feature queer characters or characters of colors or fat characters or disabled characters or [anything else] even if my cover doesn't depict them?

Yes! It's a time-honored tradition of romance novels that the characters depicted on the covers look nothing like the characters described in the book. You're allowed to anything you want!

Isn't Fabio kind of a dick? 

Yep! But you're not obligated to mention him in your game or use a cover he is on.