Again, more phenomenal batches of small textures by the always awesome Screaming Brain Studios.
I have an absolute ton of seamless textures too - but mine are in the 2048x2048 resolution range mostly so a bit more high res with associated bump/normal maps. Sometimes specular, opacity too.
Still, these are free which is super generous of the developer.
I've decided I'm going to give this dev and a list of others a bit of donation support [$1-2 range] in the next week. I have tried paid ads, banner ads a bit directing people to my itch profile, and they have some results, but I get nearly as much activity from just posting in spots like this. Fewer see these posts but they're all already itch.io people so the audience is perfect. So I figure from here on out the $5-6 /month ad spend should go to other itch creators instead of the outside ad systems.
My own profile btw is matthornb.itch.io <- and it has over 80 followers now, over a dozen positive ratings via itch's rating/review system that people rarely use. Lots of comments. All asset packs on the profile will be bundled together under $2 this Halloween which is 96% off, and that includes THOUSANDS of texture files and hundreds of 3d assets with more about to go live including new textures, 3d, some smaller freebie packs, a European 3d/texture pack built using photography from an actual recent trip through multiple countries [Germany, Switzerland, Austria] and a Halloween 3d asset pack. Plus other scattered updates by Halloween 2024 and many more beyond that.
I've been making about $20-30 a month on itch lately in sales, which is more than ever before, and working 30+ hours on itch content minimum every month the past two years. It is not viable exactly yet but other stuff like a thriving Etsy shop props that up.
My aim the next three months is 10% of itch revenue goes to itch.io [platform] 20% to support a rotation of many other itch creators including Screaming Brain Studios, who've been driving traffic to my profile, 20% to development tools/software for future asset, game creation, 50% donated to a batch of worthwhile charitable causes. [eg charities deemed highly effective by groups like GiveWell, Charity Navigator, etc.]
Right now of course that makes itch a net loss for me and a net gain for the world and the itch community in general. That's fine by me. :)
Maybe the early losses will pay off later. Super grateful for everyone who's already been supportive of my profile and asset packs. That's been hugely motivating, all the positive feedback, encouragement, ratings, suggestions and questions/asset requests. I'm excited about participating in the itch.io community, and definitely thankful.
-Matthew L. Hornbostel