💀 WELCOME TO THE SCREAM JAM! 💀
Once a year, in the late witching hours of the fading October, an eerie occurrence plagues itch.io. Out of nowhere they spring: the monsters, the creeps, the anomalies, the harbingers of terror. All in unison to witness the congregation of those that celebrate the annual SCREAM JAM The only way to survive is to face the terror, embrace the dread, and - most importantly - have fun!
💀 ABOUT THE JAM 💀
SCREAM JAMs are horror-themed game jams, made to encourage both beginner and experienced game developers to get spooky! From straight-up scares, to interactive fiction and role-playing games, we encourage all creators to try making something spooky / sp00py in these annual Halloween game jams!
SCREAM JAMs have no particular theme! Across the year, SCREAM ZONE hosts other game jams which are often based upon an optional theme or season, but SCREAM JAMs are intentionally open-ended.
💀 THE SCREAM SCENE 💀
You can join our friendly and welcoming community of game developers on Discord.
💀 PRIZES 💀
Code for a Cause are a non-profit group which run many events, including game jams. The prizes for these events are split evenly between developers and a charity of their choice!
They are sponsoring the following prizes for the winning teams of the “Enjoyment (Best Game)” category:
- 1st Place: $150 USD (50/50 to winners and charity of their choice)
- 2nd Place: $100 USD (50/50 to winners and charity of their choice)
- 3rd Place: $50 USD (50/50 to winners and charity of their choice)
If you are interested in learning more about Code for a Cause, you can join their Discord here.
Pizza Doggy is an asset pack creator and game jam host.
They are sponsoring the following prizes for the winning teams of the “Enjoyment (Best Game)” category:
- 1st Place: PSX Mega Pack II
- 2nd Place: PSX Mega Pack
- 3rd Place: PSX Textures + PSX Kidnapper's Van
They are also offering an additional €5 off the current deal on the Grand Bundle.
You can check out their asset packs here.
Craftpix offers high-quality premium and free 2D-game assets for your project.
They are sponsoring the top three places of the "Enjoyment (Best Game)" category. The members of each winning team will receive 1 year of premium access (up to a maximum of 10 members per team).
As a bonus, they are also offering a discount code for participants of this jam. Use the code "#SCREAMZONE" for 25% off everything on their site until the end of the year.
Check them out here.
Xogot is a well-crafted port of the Godot game engine to iPad.
They are sponsoring the top three places of the "Enjoyment (Best Game)" category. The members of each winning team will receive 1 year of Xogot access (up to a maximum of 10 members per team).
As a bonus, they are also offering a free month of access to game jam participants. Go to this link to sign up.
Check them out here.
If you would like to sponsor SCREAM JAM 2025, please message us at mail@screamzone.org.
💀 RULES 💀
Planning
What is the theme for this jam?
This jam has no theme, but is vaguely horror-related. Whether you take this in a serious direction or a goofy one, there are no rules here. You can even choose not to make a scary game - we just want people making games!Can I submit a game I started before the jam, or made for another jam?
Submissions for the jam should be original. Most of the game should be created during the jam.Games made specifically for the jam are preferred, but other games are accepted if they comply with the rules of the jam and timeframe.
Can I include code or assets I worked on before the jam started?
Planning before the jam is fine, and you are welcome to reuse some assets and code from previous projects, but it is something you should limit.In the spirit of participating in a game jam, you should keep most of your development during the jam period to get the most out of it!
Can I use assets created by someone else?
If you have permission to use assets you are free to do so, but you must comply with our Original Content Policy.Does my game have to use a specific engine or comply with any technical restrictions?
Nope! Your game can be developed using any engine, as long as your game can be played via the browser and/or on all desktop platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux).Engines which we recommend include Godot, GDevelop, GameMaker, PICO-8, and RenPy. Many teams will also use Unity and Unreal Engine.
NOTE: Exports of Unreal Engine games will often balloon past the 1GB limit imposed by itch.io. With this in mind, we do not recommend the use of Unreal Engine. If you decide to use it, please ensure that your games are stripped of unnecessary assets.
Can I make something which isn't a video game?
Of course! You are welcome to make board games, TTRPGs, zines, non-interactive experiences, or anything else you want. We want to see your creativity in any way you want to express it.Can I use generative AI content in my submission?
Most generative AI (GenAI) technologies and generated content are prohibited from use in this jam.For details on approved GenAI models, read our Generative AI Policy.
Can I work on multiple games?
So long as each game was started during the jam period, you are welcome to submit more than one game to the jam.Collaborating with other jammers is encouraged too. Make sure not to overwork yourself!
Submission Period
Can I submit a game I haven’t finished to the jam?
No stress! Unfinished or buggy games are absolutely accepted. No submission is perfect!Can I submit a game that includes adult, gory, or other offensive stuff in it?
Games with mature content are accepted when flagged. For disturbing or inappropriate content, we ask that jammers use common sense and flag this on the game page.We reserve the right to remove any games that are not appropriate or flagged correctly, so please reach out if you have any doubts.