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In the gaming world, Steam wishlists are more than just a digital bucket list of desired games; they’re a crucial metric that can significantly impact a game’s success. From ensuring visibility during sales events to directly influencing game marketing and development strategies, having a strong Steam wishlist is essential. In this blog post, we delve into the best practices for maximizing your Steam wishlists. We explore the significance of Steam wishlists, strategies to increase them, and take lessons from successful indie titles. We’ll analyze the role of game announcements, social media tactics, public demos, and effective marketing beats in building and sustaining interest. By leveraging wishlisting data, you can drive both pre-launch momentum and post-launch sales. Read on to turn your game into a highly wished-for and successful title.
Why Steam wishlists matter
Steam wishlists serve as a vital barometer for gauging potential customer interest in your game. High wishlist numbers can generate early buzz and give you direct access to an audience that has already shown interest. They significantly contribute to a game’s algorithmic visibility on Steam, including features on the front page, in sales events, and during special promotions. This, in turn, leads to increased organic discovery from new potential players. For developers, wishlist numbers provide valuable feedback on marketing efforts and gauge community interest before launch. A growing number of wishlists signifies that your promotional strategies are working effectively. Conversely, if wishlisting stalls, it might indicate a need to revise your approach or better align your game with your target audience’s preferences.
How to increase your Steam wishlists
One of the most effective ways to grow your Steam wishlists is through targeted marketing campaigns that build anticipation. Start with a compelling game announcement that grabs attention and showcases what makes your game unique. Utilize every available channel to create a consistent message and brand for your game, including your website, social media, and collaboration with influencers. Engage the community early and often. By providing regular updates on your game’s progress, you can maintain interest and keep the game at the forefront of potential players’ minds. Consider releasing exclusive content, such as developer diaries or behind-the-scenes footage, to build a connection with your audience. Encourage your followers to add the game to their wishlists and share it with their friends.
The Big Ticket
Just how much do wishlists matter?
Steam wishlists are more than just an indication of interest; they have a tangible impact on a game’s success. Games with higher wishlist counts are more likely to be featured in prominent positions during Steam sales and events, translating to significant increases in visibility and sales. Furthermore, wishlists provide an essential gauge for forecasting demand and planning inventory or server capacity. High wishlist numbers can also be persuasive when seeking additional funding or support from publishers. They serve as proof of interest and potential profitability, making it easier to secure investments or partnerships. Ultimately, wishlists play a crucial role in a game’s lifecycle, influencing everything from marketing strategies to sales potential.
Game Announcement
Trailer & Steam Page
Your game’s announcement should be a major event designed to generate excitement and curiosity. A high-quality trailer is essential; it must showcase your game’s unique features, graphics, and gameplay mechanics effectively. Simultaneously, your Steam page should go live with comprehensive details, including captivating visuals, engaging descriptions, and accurate tag settings. Ensure that your Steam page is fully optimized for SEO by using keywords that potential players are likely to search for. This can significantly enhance your game’s discoverability. Don’t forget to include a strong call to action, urging viewers to add your game to their wishlist.
A Caveat
However, be wary of overhyping your game. Overpromising and under-delivering can lead to negative reviews and damage your reputation. Ensure that your trailers and descriptions provide an honest representation of the game to manage players’ expectations accurately.
Notify the Fans
Make sure to notify your existing fans about the game’s Steam page launch. Utilize email newsletters, social media announcements, and community platforms to spread the word. A coordinated effort can make a significant difference in initial wishlist numbers.
Dwarves, by Ichinhamma
Ichinhamma’s success with their indie title, “Dwarves,” serves as a prime example of effective wishlist-building strategies. By focusing on strong community engagement and regular updates, they managed to create a loyal following that eagerly added the game to their wishlists. The key takeaway from Ichinhamma’s approach is the importance of consistent, genuine communication with potential players. Ichinhamma leveraged social media to maintain a constant dialogue with their fans. They also offered exclusive sneak peeks, beta testing opportunities, and encouraged community feedback. This not only boosted their wishlist numbers but also provided valuable insights into player preferences and potential improvements.
Social Media
Reddit can be an exceptionally potent platform for increasing wishlists, thanks to its diverse user base and numerous gaming communities. Join relevant subreddits like r/IndieDev, r/GameDev, and genre-specific ones to share your game. Reddit’s AMA (Ask Me Anything) format can also be valuable for directly engaging with potential players and answering their questions. However, Reddit users value authenticity. Avoid spamming or overly promotional posts, which can attract negative attention. Instead, participate genuinely in discussions, share development insights, and contribute to the community.
Twitter excels as a platform for real-time updates and interaction. Use Twitter to announce milestones, share development progress, and engage with your followers. Employ relevant hashtags like #IndieGame and #GameDev to reach a broader audience. Video snippets, gifs, and behind-the-scenes content can create engagement and encourage retweets, driving more users to your Steam page. Collaborate with influencers and streamers who can showcase your game to their audience. Their endorsement can lend credibility and attract new wishlists.
Facebook remains an impactful platform for connecting with a global audience. Create a dedicated page for your game and share regular updates, images, and videos. Facebook Ads can be particularly useful for targeted promotions, allowing you to reach specific demographics interested in your game genre. Use Facebook groups related to gaming and indie development to share your progress and engage with potential players. Encourage your followers to invite friends and family to like your page and add your game to their wishlists.
TikTok
TikTok, with its short-form video content, is an emerging platform for game promotion. Develop creative, engaging videos showcasing your game’s fun aspects, unique features, and development process. Viral challenges or trends can significantly increase your game’s visibility and attract wishlists from a younger demographic. Consistency is key on TikTok. Regularly update your profile with fresh content and interact with the community through comments and collaborations.
Ads
Paid advertising can provide a significant boost to your wishlist numbers. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads offer targeted advertising options to reach specific audiences likely to be interested in your game. Invest in visually appealing ad creatives and compelling copy that highlights your game’s unique selling points. Track your ad performance to optimize your campaigns continually. Use A/B testing to compare different ad variations and focus on those that generate the most wishlists.
Public Demo Release
Timing
Releasing a public demo is an excellent way to generate interest and attract wishlists. Timing is crucial; plan your demo release strategically to maximize exposure. Key events like game festivals or industry exhibitions provide opportunities for more visibility. Ensure that the demo offers a polished, representative experience of the final product. Gather feedback from players and incorporate improvements to enhance their anticipation for the full release.
Hit indie ZERO Sievert’s Wishlisting Data
Camponing on the success of the indie hit “ZERO Sievert” offers valuable lessons in wishlisting strategies. By leveraging serialization and episodic content, the developers kept players engaged over long periods. They also employed effective email marketing campaigns, prompting existing and potential players to wishlist the game with each new update or episode release. Wishlisting data from “ZERO Sievert” revealed that ongoing communication and incremental content drops can sustain player interest and drive substantial wishlist growth. A focus on high-quality content and active marketing ensured a consistent increase in pre-launch wishlists and robust sales post-launch.
The Five Marketing Beats
Announcement
The announcement phase should captivate your target audience right from the start. Employ a mix of teasers, trailers, and concept art to build initial interest. Use this time to establish your game’s unique narrative and aesthetic, making it easy for players to connect and look forward to updates.
Demo
A demo can turn curiosity into commitment. Ensure it delivers a peak experience that showcases the best aspects of your game while avoiding overwhelming complexity. Promote it across all platforms, encouraging feedback and leveraging it to refine the final product.
Popular Upcoming
To feature on Steam’s “Popular Upcoming” list can dramatically increase your visibility. This status often results from pre-release marketing efforts, including gathering wishlists and generating media buzz. Regular updates and teasers can keep your game in the spotlight, attracting more wishlists.
Release Date
Announce your release date well in advance and build towards it with a concluding marketing push. Use countdowns, exclusive previews, and collaborations with influencers to build excitement. Let your community know about the impending release and encourage last-minute wishlists.
Game Launch
On launch day, maximize visibility through live events, such as streams or launch parties. Ensure your game is highlighted on all relevant platforms, with final calls to action across social media. Celebrate your launch with your community, offering gratitude and engaging with their feedback.
Hazard Pay, by Smitner Studio
Smitner Studio’s “Hazard Pay” provides another successful example of leveraging wishlists for game success. By focusing on strong storytelling and captivating visuals, they attracted considerable attention early. Smitner Studio adopted a multi-platform marketing strategy, ensuring consistent presence across social media, forums, and gaming events. “Hazard Pay” emphasizes the importance of a cohesive marketing narrative that aligns with the game’s core themes. This drew in fans and converted them into active wishlists. The game’s eventual success underscores the effectiveness of a well-rounded promotion and community engagement strategy.
Wishlisting Data
News
Utilize major news outlets and gaming websites to announce significant milestones and updates. Coverage in influential media can reach a broader audience, driving more traffic to your Steam page and increasing wishlists.
Tags
Tags are essential for discoverability on Steam. Use accurate and relevant tags to describe your game’s genre, style, and mechanics. Appropriately tagged games are more likely to appear in search results and recommendations, leading to higher wishlist counts.
Search
Optimizing your game’s title and description for search engines can increase organic traffic to your Steam page. Use relevant keywords in your game’s description and ensure your SEO strategies are in place for other related content on your website or blog.
Cancel reply
While this may initially seem trivial, ensuring an easy wishlist removal process can build trust with potential players. It shows you value user experience, leading to increased confidence in your game and brand. Players are more likely to wishlist a game if they know they can easily remove it if necessary.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Why Steam wishlists matter | Understanding the significance of Steam wishlists in game visibility and success. |
| How to increase your Steam wishlists | Strategies including targeted marketing and community engagement to boost wishlist numbers. |
| The Big Ticket | Importance of wishlists in achieving game success and securing funding. |
| Game Announcement | The role of trailers, Steam page optimization, and fan notification in game announcements. |
| Dwarves, by Ichinhamma | Case study on how engagement strategies boosted wishlist numbers for the game “Dwarves.” |
| Social Media | Using platforms like Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and ads to promote the game. |
| Public Demo Release | Effective timing for releasing a public demo to maximize exposure and interest. |
| Hit indie ZERO Sievert’s Wishlisting Data | How the success of “ZERO Sievert” highlights the importance of wishlisting data and ongoing updates. |
| The Five Marketing Beats | Critical phases of marketing: Announcement, Demo, Popular Upcoming, Release Date, Game Launch. |
| Hazard Pay, by Smitner Studio | Example of successful wishlist strategies through storytelling and consistent marketing. |
| Wishlisting Data | Using news coverage, tags, search optimization, and user-friendly practices to drive wishlists. |
