How do you know your game is ready for Steam?

[beastcarving]

I'm planning on releasing a paid game on the site,(this is the game: https://beastcarving.itch.io/pulse-cage-the-full-series) and I'm pending right now. I'm getting cold feet, though. Should I go through with it or cancel? I'd like to hear from those that have put a paid games on Steam. How's that going? Have you made enough in revenue to be refunded the 100 entry fee yet? How long did it take?

[bluebat]

Hey there. I've released two games on Steam thus far, and the process in which they check it honestly isn't anything to worry about. They can take up to two weeks to review your stuff, but AFAIK they don't reject most things unless 1) your game doesn't run, 2) has spyware in its files or 3) has highly objectionable content in it (ie NSFW with underage looking characters or something that could be considered a hate crime, that sort of thing). As long as your game works, you should get in just fine.

As for the entry fee, I made it back in the first month on both of my titles with very little promotion, the most being a small review from a kind curator. I can't remember if the fee gets reimbursed right away with your first paycheck or at a later date, though.

TL;DR as long as your game functions and you feel confident in it, you'll be okay. If you've got any questions about the process, let me know and I'll try to answer them as best I can. Hang in there and good luck!

[beastcarving]

Thanks. I ended up not going through with it though. I'm not sure how others have done with games that look similar to mine, so I wasn't sure if I'd have the same experience you did.

[zmook]

... I wasn't sure ...

Do it, man. I'm not hearing any good reason for you *not* to do it.

When you look back on this week 20 years from now, there's only one option where you regret the choice.

[bluebat]

Sorry for the late reply, but I definitely agree with zmook; nothing ventured, nothing gained. I haven't played your game properly myself, but looking at the preview images and the staggering amount of effort you clearly put into its itch store page, it's obvious even at a glance that a lot of love and passion went into it; the animated bits look very impressive and eye-catching in particular! That level of love for a project translates moreso than anything else when it comes to indie games in particular.

I know this is quite a leap from Steam, but I could genuinely see your game flourishing on consoles, in particular PS4/5 and Switch. If you went for the crowd of players who enjoyed games like Life is Strange or Sally Face, it would do really well IMO, as well as reach a massive audience. Ultimately it's up to you of course, but I don't think you should deprive the world of your story and effort without good reason. Steam is a great jumping off point; from there, the world is your oyster!

[beastcarving]

wow! thanks bluebat and zmook! I really needed to hear this. I might just go through with it. Thanks for those encouraging kind words.