Check out the winners here! You can also view our post about our top picks on our website here!
💀 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, together 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!
SCREAM JAM 2024 is proudly sponsored by:
💀 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 💀
This time around, prizes have been sponsored by both Synty Studios and GDevelop!
Synty Studios
Synty Studios have graciously agreed to sponsor SCREAM JAM 2024! Synty create high quality, low-poly 3D asset packs. They have a large catalogue of asset packs in different styles, covering a wide range of needs. Check out their store here: https://syntystore.com/
They are sponsoring the top three winners in the "Enjoyment (Best Game)" category; the development team for each of the winning projects will receive one gift voucher per person for use in the Synty Store! The values of these vouchers are as follows:
- 1st Place: $100 USD per person (maximum 10)
- 2nd Place: $50 USD per person (maximum 10)
- 3rd Place: $25 USD per person (maximum 10)
In addition to these prizes, Synty have provided a 15% off discount code for use in their store across the duration of the jam. You can use the following code at checkout:
SCREAMJAM2024
Terms of use:
- The code will be active for the duration of the submission period of SCREAM JAM 2024.
- There is no minimum purchase requirement.
- All customer will need to create an account to use this code.
- One use per customer, and can't combine with any other discounts.
GDevelop
GDevelop have generously agreed to sponsor SCREAM JAM 2024, and a separate category! GDevelop is an innovative, 2D and 3D game engine, perfect for jams. Check it out!
They are sponsoring the top three winners in the "Enjoyment (Best Game)" category; the development team for each of the winning projects will receive one subscription per team for GDevelop! The prizes are as follows:
- 1st Place: GDevelop Gold subscription (12 months) (One coupon for the team)
- 2nd Place: GDevelop Gold subscription (6 months) (One coupon for the team)
- 3rd Place: GDevelop Silver subscription (6 months) (One coupon for the team)
They also have sponsored their own category, "Best GDevelop Game"! The winner will receive:
- $40 USD coupon for the GDevelop merch store (One coupon for the team)
💀 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 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.