Genre: Horror Expert blueprint for horror games balancing tension, atmosphere, and player agency. NEVER Do (Expert Anti-Patterns) Atmosphere & Tension - NEVER maintain 100% tension at all times; strictly use a Sawtooth Pacing model (buildup → peak/scare → dedicated relief period) to prevent player "numbing" and exhaustion. - NEVER rely on jump-scares as the primary source of horror; focus on atmosphere, spatial audio cues, and the anticipation of a threat to build genuine dread. - NEVER make environments pitch black to the point of frustrating navigation; darkness should obscure threats (deta…