Back since the host is sentient again, the 72 Murderboy Mayhem jam is here for a 2026 run!

This jam is hosted by the Seal Sanctuary Discord server, a game development  collective for 18+ developers of narrative games. We recommend joining for

What is Murderboy Mayhem?

Murderboy Mayhem is a 72 hour, 3 day game jam. The original idea was to encourage viewers of the indie horror VN community to make their first games. This year, we're back...with a few fun changes!

What is a murderboy?

There's lots of attempts at the definition. Our version of murderboy appeared on Tumblr in 2016-2017. It can be their first kill, or it can just be their latest. A murderboy doesn't have to be just a boy. The murderboy could be nonbinary. The murderboy could be a position. The murderboy could be the friends we found along the way.

Criteria to be a murderboy is simple:

1. The desire to kill, and the execution to do it.

Rules

1. Your game must be made in the 72 hour period allocated by the jam. You cannot start creating assets before the jam.
   1. You may do basic preparations before the jam. This includes coming up with basic ideas, scouting voice actors/musicians/etc, or doing sketches that in no way show up in the final game.
   2. Making assets for your game page before the jam is fine. This includes thumbnails, backgrounds, banners, etc. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE SCREENSHOTS.
   3. You can use assets purchased or otherwise taken with permission/by upholding legal rights, such as downloading royalty free music, before the jam starts. If you want to use royalty free music in your game, for example, these songs can be from before the jam's start time.
   4. Using a pre-existing character is fine. You do not need to create all new characters just for the jam.
2. You must be 18 years or older to join this jam.
3. Jammers may use any engine they desire. Previously, this was a visual novel and Ren'Py-exclusive jam. However, so jammers can expand their horizons, all engines and game types are valid.
   1. You may also make  physical games for this jam, such as TTRPGs or card games.
4. The game you make for this jam must be new. 
5. The 72 hour time is very short! Which is why we recommend making a small demo or prototype. Please mark your game as such in the description.
   1. You must put out a finished game. As in something that is playable and does not randomly stop or otherwise contain gamebreaking bugs. You can update later.
6. No fangames are allowed. 
7. Entries that use AI-generated assets, such as generated music, images, or text, are not allowed. If the hosts discover your entry used any form of generative AI, your entry will be disqualified.
8. Your murderboy must be a main character. They can be a main love interest, a hidden villain, etc. They may even be the player character. As long as he is part of the focus, that's all that matters.
9. Members can work in either teams or solo. There is no restriction on how big your team can be, but be careful on overscoping.