How Indie Devs Are Using AI to Create Viral Horror Games (2024 Trend Breakdown + Free Tools)

SF Games
February 13, 2025

 How Indie Devs Are Using AI to Create Viral Horror Games (2024 Trend Breakdown + Free Tools)

Introduction

The indie horror game Abyssal Whispers racked up 500,000 downloads in a month—without a single human-written line of dialogue. Its secret? AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and ElevenLabs. In this article, you’ll learn:

  • The 5 AI-powered tactics behind 2024’s viral horror games.

  • How to generate terrifying NPC dialogues, dynamic stories, and SFX for free.

  • Monetization hacks: Turn your game into a revenue stream with AdSense, Patreon, and asset sales.

Trend 1: AI-Generated "Living Stories" (Like The Backrooms)

Players crave unpredictability. Use AI to create procedural horror:

  • Tool: ChatGPT + Custom Scripts

    • Prompt: “Generate 10 randomized journal entries about a character trapped in [your game’s setting].”

    • Example Output:

      “Day 7: The statues move when I blink. I counted 12 yesterday… now there are 13.”

  • Case Study: The Backrooms: Infinite used this method to create 1,000+ unique scares, boosting replayability by 300%.

Trend 2: AI Voice Acting for Unsettling NPCs

Gone are robotic voices. Free tools now produce human-like screams, whispers, and alien chatter:

  • Tools to Try:

    • ElevenLabs (free tier): Generate crying, laughter, or distorted voices.

    • Uberduck.ai: Clone horror movie villain voices (e.g., Freddy Krueger).

  • Monetization Tip: Sell voice packs on itch.io or Patreon.

Trend 3: TikTok-Driven Horror Games

TikTok’s #HorrorGame hashtag has 4.2B views. Leverage it with:

  • Short, Shareable Clips: Use AI tools like CapCut to add jump scares and trending sounds.

  • Challenge Mechanics: Code a "5-minute survival mode" and encourage players to post their fails.

  • Example: Faceless gained 2M views by prompting users: “Can you last 60 seconds?”

Trend 4: AI-Optimized Unity Assets

Speed up development with AI-curated horror assets:

  • Free Packs:

    • Unity Asset Store: Search “procedural horror dungeon generator.”

    • Sketchfab: Download AI-upgraded 3D models (filter: “free, horror”).

  • Affiliate Opportunity: Promote asset packs with Unity’s affiliate program (5% commission).

Trend 5: Monetizing with AdSense & Beyond

Turn screams into cash:

  1. AdSense: Place ads in non-intrusive spots:

    • After player deaths (“Continue?” screen).

    • In loading screens with eerie visuals.

  2. Patreon Exclusives: Offer early access to AI-generated DLC stories.

  3. YouTube Integration: Embed gameplay videos with mid-roll ads.

Free AI Tools to Start Today

  1. Inworld.ai: Create NPCs with unique personalities.

  2. Lumen5: Turn blog posts into horror game trailers.

  3. Craiyon: Generate creepy concept art for $0.

Conclusion

AI is a game-changer for indie horror devs—literally. By automating stories, voices, and marketing, you can focus on crafting scares that go viral. Implement these 2024 trends, and watch your AdSense revenue climb alongside your game’s popularity.