next »

[cullinaire]

In the end, isn't getting on Steam valued precisely because Valve is selective and the library isn't diluted as a result of that? In other words, if Valve doesn't give you the time of day, think about why from their point of view. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Such is life.

[Paul Eres]

that's assuming that steam is good at selecting the games it lets on. i don't think that's the case; there are a large number of great indie games that can't get on steam, and a large number of bad / mediocre ones that are on steam. it feels completely random

[Makai]

In the end, isn't getting on Steam valued precisely because Valve is selective and the library isn't diluted as a result of that? In other words, if Valve doesn't give you the time of day, think about why from their point of view. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Such is life.

Sure, I'm not blaming them or anything like that for not wanting to carry our game, they have their reasons and I'm fine with it. Deviator was asking in the OP how easy it was to get into Steam and I gave him some information I have from personal experience.

As Vino also mentioned, your chances may also vary based on the types of games you make as Valve seems to favor some specific genres, so you're more likely to get in if you're offering them more action-oriented games than if you're making more niche games such as strategy, adventure or visual novel games.

[allen]

tergem,
I looked and it seems that right now only 1471 users are online on Desura. Is it so small community?

Hangedman,
so in other words it is unlikely to be published on steam for average game?
I'm asking because there are some "not so eye attractive" games like this http://store.steampowered.com/app/55040/?snr=1_4_4__13

if azm was made by anyone else I couldn't see it gettin' on steam. but it's made by the guy who did gravity bone and flotilla (which received honorable mentions in the IGF and was a nominee in a category or something)

I doubt Valve favors specific genres, after all Fatale is on there and it's not even really a game at all. But Tale of Tales already has a relationship with Valve and a ton of press, so I'm sure they didn't have a reason not to put the game on there.

[Paul Eres]

yeah but art games are probably impossible to get on steam unless you're tale of tales or jason rohrer (and even he has had trouble getting games on steam)

[allen]

Dinner Date got on Steam, and as far as Art Games go it is probably one of the worst if not the worst art games I have ever had the misfortune of playing.

but again, IGF finalist. so make your game good enough to be an IGF finalist and it's almost guaranteed to get on Steam.

[Makai]

Hangedman,
so in other words it is unlikely to be published on steam for average game?
I'm asking because there are some "not so eye attractive" games like this http://store.steampowered.com/app/55040/?snr=1_4_4__13

In AZS's defense I actually enjoyed the game quite a bit, enough to buy it after playing the demo. It's not the most polished of games, but it's got personality and good enough gameplay to catch my attention.

That said, I think having contact with people at Valve already is a great advantage to getting your game published there, so I'd say all you need is to get that first game/foot in the door and then you're set. 

[moi]

Steam delenda est

[Paul Eres]

Dinner Date got on Steam, and as far as Art Games go it is probably one of the worst if not the worst art games I have ever had the misfortune of playing.

but again, IGF finalist. so make your game good enough to be an IGF finalist and it's almost guaranteed to get on Steam.

but that feels even more random than steam is, and it's also extremely exclusive. out of 500 games, there are like 20 finalists (when you remove duplicates that's about the average). but yeah that's the plan in general

[Vino]

It's not that Steam favors certain genres, it's that Steam favors certain target audiences. Your game can be any genre of game but as long as it appeals to a certain target audience then you have a better chance of getting on there. And of course, that target audience is the audience that enjoys Valve's own games - the core gamer. Not social, not casual. There's some social and casual games on there but by and large they are social and casual games that also appeal to core gamers.

[Evan Balster]

As someone who dislikes schmoozery on principle, I'm pained to say that this "being connected" thing your grandparents tell you about can go a long way.  Not that it can replace working hard to prove your merits.

[Makai]

It's not that Steam favors certain genres, it's that Steam favors certain target audiences. Your game can be any genre of game but as long as it appeals to a certain target audience then you have a better chance of getting on there. And of course, that target audience is the audience that enjoys Valve's own games - the core gamer. Not social, not casual. There's some social and casual games on there but by and large they are social and casual games that also appeal to core gamers.

Fair point. You worded it much better than I could.

[BubblePipeMedia]

Steam is strange. I have a friend with a game or two on Steam and he saw a huge sales boost when it got there. His latest game, which I thought was a OBVIOUS choice for Steam, didn't get in. I remember when he said so, my jaw dropped. It fit all the obvious things steam was looking for and they had previous games of his. All he can do is resubmit and hope that it gets in at a later date.

But I can tell you, I'm more inclined to buy on steam than anywhere else. It's a unified place for me too look for indie games, game deals, new releases, etc. After Steam, I'm inclined to look on the console store market. Even though these places are supposed to act as quality filters, I still see plenty of not-so great games, and know there are plenty of great ones not on there. But it does keep it from getting overwhelming and I only have so much time.

Oh, I also like Steam because it is OS X compatible. Even if your game isn't, I can still read up on it and play it on windows later. I can also buy games on sale during thanksgiving and other holidays on my cell phone. Which is pure awesome.

[Paul Eres]

yeah, i wouldn't mind if steam were clearer about why they reject a game. but often they don't respond at all, and when they do there's no information about why a game was rejected, so the dev has no idea what to improve or where they went wrong

[alastair]

You should try and get a job there Paul, you could write feedback for the rejected people.