14
After 5 long years of game dev, my little puzzle game has a demo on Steam
r/IndieDev
7/1/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | https://store.steampowered.com | Game Distribution Platform | Game demo hosting and distribution |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Long development time for solo developers
- Balancing game development with full-time job
- Low visibility for indie games
Problems to Solve:
- Getting game visibility and wishlists
- Reaching target audience effectively
- Overcoming regional restrictions (e.g., game not viewable in Germany)
Potential Solutions:
- Posting on relevant subreddits (e.g., r/playmygame, r/DestroyMyGame)
- Leveraging Steam platform features
- Addressing regional availability issues
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Releasing demos to build anticipation
- Long-term iterative development
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Community engagement on Reddit
- Cross-posting to niche subreddits
- Wishlist conversion strategy
Monetization & Product:
- Free demo model to drive full game sales
- Art-focused differentiation strategy
- Targeting August 2025 release window
User Engagement:
- Sharing development journey on social media
- Responding to community feedback
- Creating visually unique art style as conversation starter