10 design lessons learned from 30 years of horror games

Plus, Alan Wake Remastered recoups development and marketing costs after two years, Embark Studios' The Finals uses text-to-speech AI for in-game voices, and more - [Game Developer Daily](?sp_aid=119031&elq_cid=22018255&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf&utm_source=eloqua&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_10.31.23&sp_cid=50328&utm_content=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_10.31.23&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf&elqTrackId=794c08c7f9dc40e5ba5d5ef9625afe68&elq=85dd11854a5f4caba45b7916a7f2f9d1&elqaid=119031&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=50328) October 31, 2023 — JUMP TO — [From Our Sponsors](#sponsors) | [Featured Blogs](#blogs) | [Top Job Postings](#job) | [Resource Center](#resources) [TOP STORIES] [10 design lessons learned from 30 years of horror games]( Developers have shared their techniques and philosophies with us, condensed here for your convenience. [Alan Wake Remastered recoups development and marketing costs after two years]( The remaster finally broke even ahead of the launch of Alan Wake 2. [Embark Studios' The Finals uses text-to-speech AI for in-game voices]( Update: Embark has now clarified how AI voices were used in The Finals and its larger plan for the technology in place of human performers. [Destiny, Marathon developer Bungie lays off staff]( Bungie is the fourth PlayStation developer to be hit with layoffs in the month of October. [Violent ads promoting Israel's Gaza offensive are creeping into games]( Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has spent $1.5 million on online advertising to promote its response to Hamas' October 7 attack. [More Stories »]( [FROM OUR SPONSORS] [PICO Kicks Off First Dev Jam for Global Developers to Usher in a New Era in for XR]( PICO, a leading VR brand with independent innovation and R&D creation capabilities, will kick off the 2023 PICO Dev Jam on 25th of Sep, its first-ever global challenge for emerging virtual reality developers [FIND OUT MORE]( [FEATURED BLOGS] [Evolving a studio from single to multi product]( Evolving into a multi-product studio is an enormously challenging effort, but it offers an opportunity to provide more player value, more opportunities for tale... [From sketches to final results — How we designed the dioramas for Street Soccer]( Our latest challenge was to craft a diorama inspired by street soccer that evoked the charm of Rio de Janeiro. [A closer look at Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged Track Builder]( The goal of the Track Builder, environments, and modules is to provide users with a tool that is easy to understand yet deep enough to express their creativity. [Why Hollywood game adaptations need a YA-inspired business model]( If Hollywood game adaptations are going to last, they need to learn from the world of Young Adult-inspired films. [Long Gone Days - Early Access Devblog]( Should you try Early Access for your project? Hopefully this article will help you make the decision. [More Blogs »]( [JOB LISTINGS FOR TODAY] Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU Indianapolis: United States [Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Extended Reality (XR) for Human-Centered Computing]( Hometopia Inc.: [Principal Game Engineer]( The Igloo Company: [Back-End Web Game Developer]( Double Fine Productions: [Senior Systems Programmer]( Double Fine Productions: [Gameplay Programmer]( Syracuse University: United States [Assistant Teaching Professor - Game Art - 077310]( [RESOURCES] [IOGEAR KVMs: The essential tool for multitasking]( IOGEAR offers a wide range of KVM switches that can allow to control multiple computers with a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor. [Be smart about automation: the future is AI driven game testing with Keywords Studios]( Mighty Build and Test CTO Ben Britten explores the use of AI-driven tools like BuildBot, TestBot, and ProofBot. [Calling all game developers: create the new heroes we need to see today!]( As part of Dove's ongoing commitment to supporting gamers challenge beauty ideals in the space, we're giving five of you the chance to win an All-Access Pass to industry-leading conference GDC 2024! Simply complete the course and put your new-found knowledge into action to build on the creation of inclusive video game avatars. [Web3 Gaming Uncovered: Gala Games on the Future of Play]( Watch this insightful sponsored Q&A with Jason Brink from Gala Games, delving into web3 gaming, NFTs, assisting web2 devs transition to web3, and their strategic pivot towards publishing. Uncover the future of gaming! [Celebrate 50 Years of SIGGRAPH Conferences]( Expand your horizons, make bold predictions, plot your path, and gather together in Los Angeles this August. Register today for SIGGRAPH 2023. [An indie developer's guide to industry events, trade shows, and exhibitions]( Discover the ideal industry events you can attend to captivate investors and publishers and help propel your game to success. [Stray: Giving character to a futuristic city]( Learn more about the unique environment art of the award-winning indie game Stray and how artists leveraged Adobe's Substance 3D tools to bring its city to life. [Credit Cards 101: Everything game developers need to know]( Learn everything you need to know about credit card processing in this free white paper. 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