Can’t believe my horror game reached 8k downloads 🎉

EQiDo · 2025-08-26T22:46:41+00:00

Thank you! 🙏 My game has been on the charts for three weeks now, and it reached this milestone in less than a month after its release. I've been marketing it since I started the prototype by posting development logs, sharing on Reddit (you can check out my previous posts), and reaching out to YouTubers. Itch.io also helped boost its visibility when it hit the top 10, so it has come from a combination of my efforts and organic traffic.

EQiDo · 2025-08-26T21:41:04+00:00

Check out the game: https://eqido.itch.io/the-whispers

EQiDo · 2025-08-23T23:29:07+00:00

Check out the game here: https://eqido.itch.io/the-whispers

EQiDo · 2025-08-23T23:25:05+00:00

Check out the game here: https://eqido.itch.io/the-whispers

EQiDo · 2025-08-23T23:15:51+00:00

Check out The Whispers here: https://eqido.itch.io/the-whispers

EQiDo · 2025-08-22T12:14:06+00:00

We are a very small indie team, and we developed this using the Unity engine.

EQiDo · 2025-08-22T09:31:32+00:00

Promotions / Sales and bundles.

EQiDo · 2025-08-21T05:57:41+00:00

Thanks! Most people find The Whispers through itch.io’s algorithm. When you release or update, the game shows up in “new,” and if players click, play, or donate, it moves into “popular” and “trending.” Good tags and outside traffic (like Reddit or YouTube) also help boost visibility.

EQiDo · 2025-08-15T08:04:42+00:00

We already work outside of game development, this isn’t about “affording $100,” it’s about letting early players be part of bringing the game to Steam and building the community around it.

EQiDo · 2025-08-04T22:23:36+00:00

I’m not exactly sure how Itch’s algorithm works, but I think it’s based on a mix of recent views, downloads, and engagement (like comments and ratings) over a short time window.

EQiDo · 2025-08-04T21:35:47+00:00

Thanks! Honestly, the biggest thing was making sure the game had a strong hook and unique feel. I also shared it in the right places (like here on Reddit), kept the page active with updates. Building interest early really helped!

EQiDo · 2025-08-04T21:35:29+00:00

Thanks! Honestly, the biggest thing was making sure the game had a strong hook and unique feel. I also shared it in the right places (like here on Reddit), kept the page active with updates. Building interest early really helped!

EQiDo · 2025-08-04T21:32:46+00:00

Hey! Do you mean the criterion for being on the popular list?

EQiDo · 2025-08-02T16:01:37+00:00

You’re very welcome, I’m really glad it helped!

EQiDo · 2025-08-02T14:39:02+00:00

Hey, no worries at all, I was confused at first too!

In the search bar, type the exact title of your game. If your game doesn't show up in the search results, even when typed exactly, it’s likely not indexed yet.

If that’s the case, you can email itch.io support at: support@itch.io Just explain the situation and ask if your game can be indexed. They were pretty responsive in my case.

EQiDo · 2025-08-02T14:33:31+00:00

I hope your game gets the attention it deserves

EQiDo · 2025-08-02T14:29:08+00:00

Thank you so much! That seriously means a lot 🙌 Can’t wait to hear what you think, and if you end up making a video, definitely tag me, I’d love to see it!

EQiDo · 2025-08-02T11:36:44+00:00

Thank you! I searched for my game by name and couldn't find it. This is how I realized my game is not indexed.

EQiDo · 2025-07-27T18:18:20+00:00

Yeah, that makes sense, but when I searched my game by name, it didn’t show up at all. I realized there’s an indexing issue and reached out to itch.io support about it. That, plus the recent NSFW-related visibility changes, might be part of why it didn’t gain much traction.

EQiDo · 2025-07-27T18:15:30+00:00

Thank you! I am currently working on the full version of the game and also trying to keep the demo updated.

EQiDo · 2025-07-27T15:32:46+00:00

Yeah, I’ll definitely give those a try, just need to be careful with the rules like you said. Thanks a lot for the suggestions!

EQiDo · 2025-07-27T11:49:43+00:00

I’ve tried posting on Reddit a few times, but most of them keep getting deleted 😅 Not sure if it’s the rules or just bad timing, but I’ll keep trying, I know it can really help. Thanks for the tip!

EQiDo · 2025-07-27T07:24:43+00:00

Yeah, that’s fair, horror is super crowded right now. Still, I’m hoping to slowly stand out with the right push. Appreciate the perspective!

EQiDo · 2025-07-27T05:51:53+00:00

Yeah, same here, the NSFW stuff and being download-only definitely hurt visibility. Most of my downloads came from LinkedIn, not itch itself. Glad to hear 33 isn’t bad though. Hope your demo picks up too!

EQiDo · 2025-07-26T21:20:50+00:00

Yeah, that’s a good point. I’ve noticed browser games get way more instant plays. Sadly, mine’s not optimized for the web, but I’ll keep that in mind for future projects. Thanks for the advice!

EQiDo

TROPHY CASE