He is considered a pioneer of nakige visual novels,[2] and has mainly contributed as a scenario writer, lyricist, and musical composer for the games the company produces.

After graduating with a degree in psychology from Chukyo University, Maeda contributed to the scripts and scores of games released under the Tactics brand of Nexton: Moon and One: Kagayaku Kisetsu e. He has contributed both to writing music and scripts to most games released under the Key brand, notably writing the majority of Air and Clannad.

While attending Chukyo University, Maeda managed to get some short stories published in Kadokawa Shoten's light novel magazine The Sneaker.

He eventually was able to be granted an interview with the video game developer TGL, but was unable to supply correct documentation, and did not get the job.

As he was unable to get a job working with music, Maeda decided to change his occupational choice to that of a scenario writer for a video game company.

During a period of one month, Maeda wrote a long, 300-page erotic story, intending to sell it to an adult game developer.

Around this time, Jun Maeda was inspired by Hiroyuki Kanno's pioneering 1996 eroge visual novel YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World.

After forming Key, Maeda worked on the music and scenario for their first title Kanon released in 1999, which proved to be very popular in the adult game market in Japan.

Following this, Maeda wrote most of the scenario for Key's next title Air, along with again working as the lyricist and one of the composers for the music featured in the game.

Also in 2004, Maeda began writing his first manga entitled Hibiki's Magic, which was first conceived as a short story he wrote as a student.

[16] Maeda deactivated his social media accounts for a second time following criticism of his writing quality on an event story within Heaven Burns Red.

[17][15] As is prevalent in the scenarios Maeda has written for visual novels, there are recurring themes related to the concept of a family and the bonds that hold it together.

Flaming June released an original concept album with Yanagi on April 25, 2012 titled Owari no Hoshi no Love Song.

[25] In 2021, Maeda wrote and composed one song for The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls: Starlight Stage titled "Beat of the Night", performed by Kaoru Sakura.

[26] Maeda wrote and composed the opening theme song for the 2022 anime series Prima Doll, titled "Tin Toy Melody".