I Released My Horror Game – Here's How It Went
- sheenaoloughlin
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
I recently published my indie horror game, Separated by Nightmares: Where Duty Dies — and I want to be completely honest about how the release went, what I learned from it, and what’s next.
The Launch: Not What I Expected
I released the game on itch.io, and… it only got 12 downloads.
That was disappointing. I didn’t expect the game to blow up or go viral, but I did think it would get more attention. One of the main pieces of feedback I received was that the game needed more scares, which is totally fair — and something I plan to improve in the next version.
I also assumed itch.io would promote the game more. Turns out, it’s not like Steam — games don’t get pushed to audiences. If you’re publishing on itch.io, you need to drive all the traffic yourself.
Trying to Get the Word Out
I didn’t want to launch on Steam right away. The itch.io release was meant to be a soft launch to test the game, gather feedback, and make improvements before doing a full release where the Steam algorithm really matters. I didn’t want to “burn” my shot by putting out a buggy or under-marketed game too early.
Here’s what I learned from this first step:
Don’t rely on itch.io for promotion — bring your own audience.
Ask for help (politely!) — tagging people who support indie games can work. One retweet made a big difference.
Include a strong call-to-action in your trailer (like “Wishlist on Steam”). It helps.
Free doesn’t mean visible — just because a game is free doesn’t mean people will find or play it.
What’s Next?
I’m currently:
Playtesting the Steam version to polish and improve the game.
Planning to reach out to YouTubers and press with early access keys, ideally weeks before launch.
Getting more active on social media to build awareness.
Some feedback I’ve already received:
Not enough jump scares or tension — the atmosphere needs more weight.
Players appreciated the in-game guidance, which helped them avoid wasting time figuring out what to do next (something I know can be frustrating in horror games).
I want my game to be immersive, not confusing. So I’m focusing on making sure players feel guided, while still feeling tense and curious.
Once these improvements are done, I’ll launch on Steam — with more preparation, better scares, and more buzz. I’m also finishing up my LitRPG novel, Worlds Beneath the Shadows, and working on the second game in the Separated by Nightmares series. That sequel probably won’t release until Q2 next year, since life’s gotten busier.
How You Can Support My Journey
Finally, if you’re curious about my game, Separated by Nightmares: The Last Stand, I’d love your support! Please wishlist it on Steam – it would mean the world to me, especially come launch day.
1st Game - Separated by Nightmares: Where Duty Dies - Wishlist now!
2nd Game: Separated by Nightmares: The Last Stand - Wishlist now!
Interested in Starting Your Own YouTube Channel?
I’ve also written a short book on how to set up your YouTube channel, focusing on gaming and game development. If you're interested, you can find the book in the description below or check it out here:
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Thank you for reading, and I'll see you in my next post!
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