itch.io

Hey all! I'm a game art student in NZ, and I'm working on my own survival horror game idea. I want it to stay scary while still telling a good story, not just relying on cheap jump scares.

I'd love advice from anyone who makes or loves horror games:

- How do you build real dread and tension instead of jump scares?

- How do you keep the story and the scares working together, so one doesn't kill the other?

- How do you keep a game scary once the player has seen the monster or figured things out?

- Any horror games you think got this balance right?

Thanks heaps, all advice appreciated!

Hey all! I'm a game art student in NZ. I've mostly used Unity so far, and I'm curious what everyone else uses.

- Which engine do you use most (Unity, Godot, Unreal, GameMaker, something else)?

- What do you like about it, and what annoys you?

- If you buy asset packs, which file formats or engine support do you look for?

- Is there an engine you’d recommend for someone starting, depending on genre?

Thanks heaps!

Hey all! I'm a game art student in NZ getting into real-time VFX, mostly in Unity. I'm also planning to make handmade horror asset packs with VFX as part of them. Everything's made by hand, no AI.

I'd love advice from anyone who makes VFX:

- How did you learn VFX? Any tutorials, courses, or artists you'd recommend?

- What do you wish you'd known when you started?

- What makes an effect actually feel good in-game (timing, shape, colour)?

- Do you make your own textures and flipbooks, and what tools do you use?

Also, with itch clearing out all the AI uploads and adding the AI filter, has that changed anything for you as a creator?

Thanks heaps, all advice appreciated!

Thanks so much! Found your email and sent a message

Thanks for sharing this, really helpful! I’m a game art student in NZ planning to sell PS1 horror asset packs. Could I ask how sales compare between the Unity Asset Store and itch.io for you? And what’s helped people find your packs the most? Thanks!

Hi! I’m a game art student from NZ researching PS1-style horror asset packs for a uni business plan. For those who use or sell asset packs: what makes you pick one over another? Price, art style, what’s included, or something else? Any answers help, thanks!

Loved the peaceful vibe! 🌱