How Can I Sell Games On Steam

How Can I Sell Games on Steam?

So, you’ve made an awesome game and you’re thinking about putting it on Steam? That’s a fantastic idea! Steam is like a giant store for video games, and it’s where lots of players go to find their next favorite. But how do you actually get your game from your computer to millions of screens around the world? Don’t worry, it might seem tricky, but we can break it down step by step.

Understanding Steam Direct

The first thing you need to know is that Steam uses something called “Steam Direct.” Think of it as your ticket to get your game into the Steam store. It’s how you, as a developer, can publish your game on Steam. Before Steam Direct, there was Steam Greenlight, but now things are a bit different. With Steam Direct, you have a more straightforward way to upload your game but with a fee. We will talk about that fee later.

The Steam Direct Process

Steam Direct has a few steps to follow. It’s not just about uploading your game right away. You need to get registered first as a Steam partner. Here is what you do.

• Create a Steamworks Account: This is your special developer account on Steam. Think of it as your workspace.
• Pay the Steam Direct Fee: This is a fee you pay to Valve (the company behind Steam). The fee is usually $100 (USD). This fee is per application and not per game. You might have to pay this fee multiple times if you are publishing more than one game.
• Complete Identity Verification: Steam needs to know who you are. They have a verification process that helps them make sure the games are coming from real people. This may involve verifying your banking information.
• Complete Tax Information: Since you will be getting paid for selling your games, Steam needs your tax information. This helps them make sure that taxes are taken care of properly.

Once these steps are complete, you are on your way to becoming a Steam partner and can begin getting your game on the Steam store.

Preparing Your Game for Steam

Now that you know how to become a Steam partner, it’s time to talk about getting your game ready to upload. There are a few important things to keep in mind to make sure your game is in tip-top shape before it goes out to the world.

Game Design and Polish

This seems obvious, but first and foremost, your game should be fun and working. No one wants to play a buggy or unfinished game. Make sure to spend some time fixing bugs and polishing your game so it shines.
Here are a few things to check for:

• Bugs and Errors: Go through your game and find every bug you can. Test and test again.
• Controls: Make sure your game controls are intuitive and easy to use.
• Graphics: Try to make your game look as good as possible. It doesn’t have to be cutting-edge, but a well-designed visual is a plus.

Creating Good Visuals

Your Steam store page is your game’s storefront. It’s where people see your game for the first time. You need to make it attractive. This includes:

• Screenshots: Put in amazing screenshots from your game. Show off the cool parts of your game.
• Trailers: Make a cool trailer to show the gameplay in action. It will get people excited to play.
• Game Artwork: Include your game’s logo and other artwork that makes your game stand out.

Pricing Your Game

How much should you charge for your game? This is a tough decision, but here are a few things to think about:

• Compare to other games: Look at other similar games on Steam. What do they charge? This can give you an idea.
• Your time and effort: Consider how much time and work went into your game.
• Your target audience: What are your players willing to pay?

Setting up Your Steam Store Page

Your store page is like the front of your store. It is really important to make a good first impression. Here’s what you’ll be setting up:

Game Descriptions

Write a good description of your game. Be clear, be exciting and tell people what makes your game fun. Tell them the genre of the game.

Game Information

You’ll need to provide information about your game like:

• Genre: What type of game is it? (Action, puzzle, strategy, etc.)
• Features: What cool things can players do in your game? (Multiplayer, etc.)
• Languages: What languages is your game available in?
• System Requirements: What kind of computer do people need to play your game? This should include both minimum and recommended specifications.

Using Steamworks

Steamworks is your toolset. Once you are a steam partner, Steam will give you access to Steamworks to configure everything.

• Steamworks SDK: Integrate the Steamworks SDK into your game. This lets your game connect with Steam’s features.
• Achievements: Set up achievements for players to earn. This gives players something extra to do.
• Leaderboards: Create leaderboards for players to compete.
• Cloud Saves: Allow players to save their progress in the cloud so they can pick up where they left off.

Getting the word out about your game

Getting your game on Steam is just the first step. Now you have to get players to find it. Here are some ideas:

Social Media

Share about your game on all your social media accounts. Share trailers and screenshots to show what your game is about. This will also allow you to connect with the gaming community.

Engage With Your Community

Respond to messages and comments on your store page and social media. Be friendly and helpful. You should engage with players and build a community around your game. A community can make your game more popular.

Reach out to gaming Journalists and influencers

Find gaming websites and youtubers that review games and show them your game. You can make connections to them and send them a copy of your game.

Participate in Steam Events

Steam has events where they highlight games. Try to get your game featured in these events. You can participate in Steam sales and festivals to draw attention to your game. You can also run discounts to get more people to purchase the game.

Understanding Steam’s Revenue Share

When you sell a game on Steam, you don’t keep all of the money. Steam takes a percentage, usually 30%, but can sometimes be lower. Let’s understand this better.

Steam’s Cut

Steam’s standard cut is 30%. This is how they make money for providing their platform. However, this percentage can get lower if your game sells a lot. The more you sell, the less Steam takes.

How You Get Paid

Steam pays you once a month. You’ll need to set up your payment information and bank details through your Steamworks account. Usually, payments are made through bank transfers or other online payment services.

Updating Your Game

Once your game is out on Steam, your job doesn’t stop there. You have to continue updating the game with more content.

Bug Fixes

If players are having a problem, it’s a good idea to fix them as soon as possible. This makes for a good playing experience.

New Content

You can add new content to your game to keep it interesting. This can include adding new levels, new gameplay elements, new features, or new characters. Your fans would want to see new content.

Communicating with Players

Keep the conversation with the players going. Let them know what you are planning for the game and give them updates on the progress. If the community has any suggestions, consider them when you are planning updates.

A Few Extra Tips

Selling your game on Steam is a lot of work but it is possible. Here are a few tips to think about.

Don’t Give Up

It might be difficult at the start to get noticed but do not be discouraged. Keep learning, keep growing and keep improving.

Be Patient

Building a player base takes time. Be patient and keep promoting your game.

Get Feedback

Listen to what your players think of your game. Feedback will allow you to make your game better.

Be Honest

If something is wrong with your game or you are late with an update, communicate that with your players. Building trust is really important.

Selling games on Steam is a journey. There are many steps but with planning, patience and passion you can succeed. Now go out there and make an amazing game!