how to publish a game on Steam:
1. Register for a Steam Developer Account
- Steamworks Developer Registration: Go to the Steamworks website and register for a developer account. You will need to create an account and agree to the developer terms.
- Payment and Verification: Pay a registration fee of $100 and complete the identity verification process. You will also need to provide tax information.
2. Prepare Your Game
- Game Development: Complete the development of your game. Ensure that the game is functional and thoroughly tested.
- Build Preparation: Prepare the game build for supported platforms such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.
3. Upload Your Game to Steam
- Log into Steamworks: Log into Steamworks and create a new application for your game.
- Enter App Information: Provide detailed information about your game, including its name, description, price, and release date.
- Upload Game Build: Upload the prepared game build to Steam’s servers using the SteamPipe tool within the Steam client.
4. Configure Your Store Page
- Set Up Store Page: Configure your game’s store page by adding screenshots, videos, a detailed description, and appropriate tags.
- Set Pricing: Set the pricing for different regions.
5. Testing and Review
- Internal Testing: Thoroughly test your game to fix any bugs and ensure all Steam features (such as cloud saves and achievements) work correctly.
- Steam Review: Submit your game for review by the Steam team. They may request additional information or changes.
6. Prepare for Release
- Set Release Date: Set the release date for your game and complete the release preparations.
- Marketing: Promote your game through social media, gaming communities, and other channels.
7. Launch
- Release Your Game: Launch your game on the scheduled release date.
- Post-Launch Support: Continue to update your game and address player feedback after release.
Useful Links
This is a simplified overview of the process, and each step involves detailed procedures and requirements. It’s important to follow the guidelines provided by Steam and proceed carefully through each phase.