itch.io Community » Game Development » Help Wanted or Offered

[RevShare / Collaboration] Seeking UE5 Programmer for PLEASE REWIND — VHS Work-Sim Horror Game

A topic by OD1NSTUDIOS created 4 days ago Views: 164 Replies: 3

Viewing posts 1 to 3

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for an Unreal Engine 5 programmer/developer to collaborate with me on PLEASE REWIND, a single-player VHS store work-sim horror game set during an overnight shift at a 90s-style video rental store.

The basic idea is to combine the satisfying routine and task-based gameplay of a work simulator with increasingly unsettling horror.

You start your shift doing normal things: clocking in, organizing VHS tapes, working the counter, rewinding returns, cleaning up, and completing store tasks.

As the night continues, the store slowly begins to change.

Tapes trigger strange events, the power starts failing, things appear where they shouldn’t be, creatures begin showing up, and eventually the player realizes they may not actually be alone in the store.

Current Status

This is not just an idea.

I already have:

A playable prototype
The core gameplay concept and story
Night 1 and Night 2 planned out
Environment and prop assets
VHS artwork and signage
Enemy concepts
Gameplay footage
Publisher outreach already underway
A clear vision for the final game

The current prototype was built using AI-assisted development tools, but I want to move away from that and rebuild the game properly as a clean, maintainable Unreal Engine 5 project.

Who I'm Looking For

Ideally, I’m looking for one UE5 programmer / technical partner who is comfortable with things like:

Unreal Engine 5
Blueprints and/or C++
First-person player systems
Interaction systems
Pick-up / placeable objects
Inventory or objective systems
Triggered horror events
Enemy AI
Lighting and scripted sequences
Basic UI
Optimization and packaging builds

You do not need to be an expert in every area.

I care much more about finding someone dependable who enjoys horror games and wants to help turn an existing prototype into something polished.

First Goal

The first milestone would be rebuilding a polished vertical slice of the video store.

That would include things like:

Entering the store
Clocking in
Exploring the environment
Picking up and placing VHS tapes
VHS shelving
Using the rewind station
Finding and using the flashlight
Completing store objectives
Scripted horror events
One enemy encounter
Atmospheric lighting and audio
A clean playable Windows build

After that, we would continue building out the full nights, VHS events, enemies, story sequences, and final sections of the game.

Compensation

This is currently a revenue-share / collaboration project, so there is no guaranteed upfront payment right now.

My goal is to create a significantly stronger vertical slice and continue pitching the project to publishers for funding.

If publisher funding is secured, the goal would be to transition development into paid work where possible.

Any revenue-share agreement would be discussed clearly before serious development begins so everyone understands ownership, responsibilities, percentages, and expectations.

About Me

I’m handling the game direction, concept, story, level ideas, asset sourcing, visuals, publisher outreach, marketing direction, and overall creative vision.

I’m looking for someone who wants to take ownership of the technical side and potentially become a long-term development partner rather than simply completing a one-off freelance job.

The goal is to build something commercially viable and eventually release it on Steam.

Interested?

If this sounds interesting, send me:

A little about yourself
Your Unreal Engine experience
Examples of previous work if you have them
Whether you prefer Blueprints, C++, or both
What parts of game development you enjoy most
Your availability
Any questions you have about PLEASE REWIND

You do not need a massive professional portfolio.

If you’re a newer Unreal developer looking for a serious project to build your portfolio with, I’m open to talking.

Thanks for reading.

PLEASE REWIND Single-player • Work Sim • Psychological Horror • VHS Nostalgia • Unreal Engine 5

Like Reply

sammy_XR2 days ago

Hey! I’m Samuel, a game-focused developer and 3D artist interested in joining projects where I can contribute to both the technical and creative side.

PLEASE REWIND immediately caught my attention. I really like the idea of combining a familiar 90s VHS-store work loop with psychological horror that gradually becomes more disturbing.

I’d be interested in helping rebuild and polish the prototype in Unreal Engine 5, particularly with:

• First-person gameplay and player systems • Blueprint-based interaction systems • Pick-up and placeable objects • VHS shelving and rewind interactions • Objectives and task systems • Triggered/scripted horror events • Enemy encounters and basic AI • Flashlight and environmental interactions • Basic UI • Lighting and atmospheric gameplay sequences • Testing, optimization, and Windows builds

I’m comfortable working with Blueprints, and I’m also interested in expanding my technical workflow where C++ is appropriate. I enjoy building gameplay systems that feel responsive and reliable rather than relying on temporary prototype solutions.

For the first milestone, I’d approach the vertical slice systematically: establish the player and interaction framework first, then build the store tasks and VHS systems, followed by the scripted horror events and enemy encounter. This would give us a clean foundation to expand into the later nights.

I’m particularly interested in a long-term collaboration rather than just completing a single task. I understand that this is currently a revenue-share project with no guaranteed upfront payment, and I’m open to discussing the arrangement, responsibilities, ownership, percentages, and expectations clearly before development begins.

I’m available to discuss the current prototype, your existing assets, what was built with the AI-assisted tools, and which systems you want rebuilt first.

I’d also be happy to answer any questions about my experience, workflow, availability, and the areas of development I enjoy most.

Like Reply

OD1NSTUDIOS2 days ago

Hey Samuel, thanks for reaching out. I really appreciate how much thought you put into this, and it sounds like you understand exactly what I’m trying to build with PLEASE REWIND.

Your approach to rebuilding the project in UE5 is actually very close to what I’m looking for. My biggest priority is getting away from temporary prototype-style systems and rebuilding the core gameplay on a clean, reliable foundation that we can continue expanding.

I’m definitely looking for someone interested in a long-term collaboration, not just a one-off task. I’d be handling the overall creative direction, story, marketing, Steam/publishing side, assets, and project management, while I’m looking for a technical partner who can take the lead on implementing and polishing the actual UE5 gameplay systems. I’m absolutely open to discussing the revenue split, responsibilities, ownership, milestones, and expectations clearly before we start.

I’d love to talk more and show you where PLEASE REWIND currently stands, what needs to be rebuilt, and where I want the vertical slice to go.

My Discord is od1ns — feel free to add me there.

When you get a chance, I’d also love to see any UE5 projects, gameplay systems, portfolio pieces, or examples of your work that you think are most relevant, and let me know roughly how much time you’d normally be able to put into the project each week.