Have you ever heard the claim that a good game will inevitably find its audience? It might have held true in 2016 when there were only 4,600 games released on Steam throughout the entire year. Meanwhile, in just the first three months of 2026, according to SteamDB, there have already been 5,700 releases. This density has turned the industry into a battle royale, where merely having a good game is no longer enough. Additionally, it must stand out and capture the audience—primarily through social media and UGC platforms. These platforms will showcase the viability of your idea, bring in wishlists, highlight errors, and turn strangers into fans. So, how exactly can you use social media to succeed?
Which Social Platforms Are Essential for Developers?
Different teams will point to the platform that played a crucial role for them. The creators of Quarantine Zone would nod towards TikTok, where the game went viral and subsequently amassed over a million additions to wishlists. The creator of Potion Craft will talk about Reddit: there, the alchemist simulator gained popularity, received feedback, and caught the eye of a publisher. The developer of Manor Lords will praise YouTube, where devlogs were published.
However, Grzegorz Styczeń from Manor Lords did not fixate on YouTube and used different tools because each social media platform has its own value.
- TikTok is needed for testing the demand for a game and gathering wishlists.
- Reddit is for gaining feedback and testing mechanics.
- YouTube serves as the main showcase for the game.
- Discord is for retaining and engaging fans.
