Steam is the world’s largest digital distribution platform for PC games, with over 120 million monthly active users. For indie developers, getting your game sold on Steam can lead to massive success and revenue.
However, the process of submitting and selling a game on Steam can seem daunting for first-timers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
Set Up a Steamworks Account
The first step is signing up for a Steamworks account at partner.steamgames.com. This is the developer portal where you can manage your games on Steam.
To sign up, you’ll need:
- Your bank account and routing details
- Relevant tax information
- A $100 one-time application fee
Once set up, you can start preparing your store page and builds to submit.
Create Your Store Page
Your store page is the main way players learn about and purchase your game. An eye-catching and informative store page is vital.
When setting up the page, be sure to:
- Have an attractive banner, logo, and capsule images
- Write a short, intriguing description
- Set detailed technical specifications
- Add relevant tags and features
- Provide engaging screenshots and videos
Integrate Steamworks
Integrating Steamworks tools into your game enhances the player experience. Support for achievements, cloud saves, matchmaking, and more can set your game apart.
See the documentation on how to properly integrate these features.
Prepare Your Builds
You’ll need to prepare install files and depots for your game. Depots store the main content and code of your game that players download.
Be sure to:
- Test your build extensively before submitting
- Set up depots for the main game and additional content
- Ensure your build works on various PC setups
Set Pricing
One of the most important parts of selling your game is pricing it appropriately. Steam provides pricing suggestions based on your home country currency.
Some tips when setting prices:
- Price based on game length, production values and genre
- Have fair regional pricing for different markets
- Consider sale discounts to spur purchases
Submit for Review
With your store page prepared and builds tested, you can submit your game to Steam for review.
The process involves:
- Completing final digital paperwork
- Uploading your depots and store assets
- Clicking “Submit for Review”
- Waiting for Valve’s approval (can take 1-5 weeks typically)
Once approved and live, your game will appear in search results and store categories.
Market and Update
Simply being on Steam does not guarantee success. You need to drive awareness through sales, updates, influencers and community engagement.
Some effective marketing tactics include:
- Run sales and promotions, especially for new releases
- Engage players through forums and social media
- Send out press releases to gaming websites
- Sponsor Twitch streamers and YouTubers to play your game
- Continuously improve your game with updates and fixes
Following this guide, you’ll be prepared to successfully sell your games on Steam. While it takes effort, having your game on the world’s top PC gaming service is an incredibly rewarding achievement.
