Submissions open from 2025-02-16 20:00:00 to 2025-02-23 20:00:00
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While the sunflowers are nice, the ground is otherwise barren from Yuuka's machinations.

Banner by HistoryLeaf

The theme for the Jam is Scale

Scales of a beast, Scales from a blacksmith, Scaling the peaks - A theme that spans all sizes, can you balance the scales with a small project?

About Our Jam:

Touhou Project (commonly known just as "Touhou") is a widely-beloved series of 2D bullet hell (or "danmaku") games originating from Japan. Chances are that, whoever you are, you've seen it around or come across one of its many fan creations. This is because Touhou's creator, ZUN, has an extremely permissive policy towards derivative works; filling the fandom to the brim with creators making both hobby and commercial works that use the games' settings and characters. We take advantage of this several times a year by inviting all of those creators, old and new, to join us in a contest to make games featuring the Touhou Universe in some way, within a limited span of time. Both veterans and newcomers to game development or Touhou are welcome to join.

For those unfamiliar, a game jam is a contest where participants are given a "theme" to work with, then create a game based around that theme in a short time period (usually a few days). All skill levels and areas of expertise are welcome, and members can work either in teams or individually to submit a game by the deadline.

After jam entries are submitted, there is a ratings period (usually two weeks) in which anyone may play and rate the games. Winners will then be announced based on these ratings for each category: Overall, Gameplay, Concept, Visuals, Audio/Music, Story/Writing, Balance (Challenge and Fairness), and Use of Theme.

Resources:

Our Discord Server (Touhou Game Dev) - A Touhou-centric gamedev hub where you can discuss and show off Touhou fangames. We have channels for team-forming, discussion of the jam games, and for non-jam discussion of Touhou and other game development.  We highly recommend you join this server if you'd like to participate (especially if you need a team!)

Touhou Game Jam Twitter - Updates and information on when our Jams and rating periods occur. Follow us to help spread the jam!

Touhou Explained in Less than 2 Minutes - A quick crash course on Touhou and its world in a bit more detail, as well as why it appeals to so many of us. 

Our Game Jam FAQ - For more details about the jam process and how to make the most of your time.

Rules (READ THESE):

  • All created content must follow ZUN's guidelines on creating derivative content of Touhou. Most importantly this includes not using assets from the official Touhou games.
  • You may steal/modify assets from other sources only if you are allowed to use them non-commercially (or are otherwise explicitly licensed to do so).
  • Your entry must be based off the Touhou universe to some degree. Beyond that there are no restrictions, including genre or gameplay.
  • No hateful or bigoted content will be tolerated, in your game or out of your mouth.
  • You may use resources such as graphics, sounds and scripts that were made prior to the jam, as long as the bulk of your work takes place during and for this Jam.
  • Keep it SFW.
  • Your entry must be free to play during the jam and rating period. If at a later date you wish to sell it, you should continue to abide by ZUN's guidelines, and that is your own matter separate to the Jam.
  • If you need to make changes to your game during the ratings period, keep the original version of your game available on the page and clearly labeled as such, please note any changes between versions on your game's page.
  • You can work in a team or as an individual. Contributing to games for multiple teams is totes fine (but don't overdo it either!!).
  • You should budget a good 15-20 minutes before the deadline to submit your game. We're known to be lenient with mistakes and late entries, but don't rely on an extension!
  • Sleep.
  • Feel free to contact us on our Discord Server (linked above) if you have any questions. Be Fabulous.

How to participate and submit a game:

  • To participate, simply create an itch.io account and hit the big Join button up top. You can do so at any point before or during the jam.
  • Once the jam starts, you can submit your game at any point before the deadline using the Submit button. The website will then walk you through the process of submitting your game.
  • Remember to play and rate your peers' games after you submit!

We've hosted several community jams since 2018! In addition to our other community events, you can check out our past events: ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 as well as our sideline jams,  (9)-Jam, PrideJam2, PrideJam3, PrideJam4, PrideJam5, PrideJam6, Touhou Station, Touhou Station 2, Touhou Station 3, Touhou Station 4 )