Side Hustle School Ep. 3142 - Q&A: “What’s the business process for releasing an indie game?”
Aug 8, 2025
Thinking of launching your own indie game? Discover the ins and outs of releasing on Steam, from costs to marketing strategies. Solo developers face fierce competition and must find ways to stand out. Learn essential business processes and the importance of community engagement to boost visibility and drive sales. This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you turn your passion project into profit!
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How to Publish on Steam
- To publish an indie game on Steam, create a developer account and pay a $100 submission fee per game, refundable after $1,000 in sales.
- Build marketing assets, get wishlists before launch, engage micro influencers, and run demos for early buzz.
Steam's Competitive Environment
- Uploading a game on Steam is simple but the market is very competitive with over 12,000 games released yearly.
- Making your game a big success requires more than just technical ease of publishing.
Marketing Your Indie Game
- Prioritize building a Steam wishlist audience before your game's launch to improve discovery.
- Reach out to small YouTubers and Twitch streamers instead of large media for more accessible promotion.