🎲 DARE TO TAKE A CHANCE? 🎲
You're ushered into the private betting rooms and to a shadowy corner table. He is there again, as he is every night: the unnatural grin, the sly wink and the sense of unease tip you off to it. Now your fate is his to decide. He hands you the ball, which feels much heavier in your hand than it seems in his. "Red or black?" he says. The decision seems more consequential than usual. Before you respond, he leans over, and whispers, "I'm afraid that you can't back out now." He gestures to two large figures hulking behind you. "So." His gloom returns to the chipper countenance of a salesman. "Red or black. What will it be?"
💀 ABOUT THE JAM AND THEME💀
SCREAM ZONE game jams are horror-themed game jams, made to encourage both beginner and experienced game developers to get spooky!
The theme for this jam is decided by the SCREAM ROULETTE! When the jam begins, we will provide a link to a digital roulette table that will generate ideas for game concepts or themes. You aren't required to use the SCREAM ROULETTE to participate, and you can use it as many times as you like. However, if you use the SCREAM ROULETTE, make sure to include what theme inspired you on the game page!
💀 THE SCREAM SCENE 💀
You can join our friendly and welcoming community of game developers on Discord.
💀 RULES 💀
Planning
What is the theme for this jam?
The theme for this jam will be generated for you by the SCREAM ROULETTE!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.