753
In my horror game, each time you get scared by ghosts your sanity meter drops. You can restore your sanity by Petting your cat!
r/IndieDev
7/4/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | https://store.steampowered.com | Game Distribution Platform | Hosting and selling games, wishlist functionality for user engagement |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Immersion breaks due to unrealistic lighter mechanics
- Player perception issues with game mechanics (e.g. lighter safety)
- Potential emotional distress if cat companion is harmed
Problems to Solve:
- Maintaining player immersion through realistic mechanics
- Educating players about game-specific elements (e.g. Zippo lighter functionality)
- Creating tension without frustrating players
- Balancing sanity mechanics with gameplay incentives
Potential Solutions:
- Implement dynamic lighting system where lighter automatically closes in lit areas
- Add tooltips explaining Zippo lighter mechanics
- Use cat hallucinations as temporary horror elements that resolve through interaction
- Introduce risk/reward mechanics where low sanity enhances anomaly visibility
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Leveraging Steam wishlist functionality for pre-launch engagement
- Incorporating community feedback into development process
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Showcasing unique mechanics (cat interaction) as key selling point
- Engaging with horror game communities (r/IndieDev)
- Referencing established franchises (Fatal Frame) for discoverability
Monetization & Product:
- Free naming customization feature for cat companion
- Potential DLC opportunities (alternative pets/cosmetics)
User Engagement:
- Encouraging player creativity through pet naming
- Implementing community-suggested features (hallucination mechanics)
- Maintaining transparent communication about development progress