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Two months in, we put up an early prototype of our desktop city-building game on itch, hoping to get feedback, but nobody is playing it.
r/IndieDev
7/1/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| itch.io | https://itch.io | Game Distribution Platform | Platform for indie game developers to publish and distribute games, especially for early prototypes and demos. |
| Steam | https://store.steampowered.com | Game Distribution Platform | Larger platform for game distribution; mentioned for upcoming demo release. |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Lack of visibility and downloads for game demos on itch.io
- Difficulty in getting feedback for early prototypes
- Placeholder assets making the game look uninteresting or like an "asset flip"
- Security concerns with downloadable demos on itch.io
- Limited time of potential players to try new games
Problems to Solve:
- How to effectively market an indie game demo to get feedback
- How to attract players to try a prototype/demo
- How to present the game confidently to avoid appearing apologetic
- How to showcase the game's unique selling points (e.g., idle gameplay, desktop widget functionality)
- How to address platform limitations (e.g., no Linux support)
Potential Solutions:
- Release demo on Steam instead of itch.io for better visibility
- Improve visuals with custom assets to make the game more appealing
- Add a web version to itch.io to address security concerns
- Create engaging marketing content (videos, TikTok, YouTube Shorts) with gameplay footage
- Target specific communities (e.g., urbanism fans, Cities: Skylines players)
- Showcase key features prominently (e.g., big city screenshots, day/night cycle)
- Provide clear instructions for game mechanics (e.g., how to rotate objects)
- Offer incentives like secret codes to attract players
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Releasing demos on established platforms like Steam for better reach
- Iterating based on user feedback to improve product-market fit
- Focusing on unique value propositions (e.g., idle gameplay as a desktop widget)
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Utilizing social media platforms (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, X) with frequent content (e.g., 5 shorts daily on TikTok)
- Using relevant hashtags (#indiegame, #indiedev)
- Sharing gameplay videos instead of memes to attract attention
- Targeting niche communities (e.g., urbanism enthusiasts)
- Optimizing store presence with appealing visuals (e.g., Steam capsule art)
Monetization & Product:
- Transitioning from placeholder assets to custom visuals for better appeal
- Adding requested features (e.g., Linux support, object rotation/deletion)
- Clarifying product positioning (demo vs. prototype)
- Focusing on idle gameplay as a key differentiator
- Considering platform expansion (e.g., Roblox) based on user suggestions
User Engagement:
- Encouraging wishlists on Steam for future updates
- Actively responding to feedback in communities (e.g., Reddit)
- Building trust by addressing concerns transparently (e.g., asset origins, security)
- Offering incentives (e.g., secret codes in marketing content) to drive curiosity