55 of 63
Home/r/IndieDev/#8225
88

Happy with a milestone: 500 wishlists

r/IndieDev
8/15/2025

Content Summary

The post is from an indie developer who reached a milestone of 500 wishlists for their game. They shared that most of the wishlists came from Steam Nextfest and some from previous events, along with posts on Reddit, Bluesky, and Itch.io. The developer mentioned it took 11 months with minimal marketing. Other users commented on their success, shared similar experiences, and offered congratulations. Some also discussed challenges like game visibility, marketing, and content creation.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion: Most commenters expressed support and admiration for the developer's achievement, emphasizing the value of persistence and quality in indie game development. Many shared similar milestones and experiences, showing a common challenge in gaining visibility and traction. Some highlighted the importance of platforms like Steam, Itch.io, and social media for marketing. There was also a discussion about the role of game art and trailers in attracting players. A few users expressed frustration over low wishlists, suggesting that marketing and visibility are major pain points for indie developers. No significant conflicts were noted, but there was a general consensus on the difficulty of growing an indie game business without substantial marketing efforts.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/3120200/AraCore_Astromining_Ventures/Game DistributionPlatform for game sales and wishlists
Itch.iohttps://itch.io/Game Development & DistributionPlatform for indie developers to share and sell games
Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/IndieDev/Community & NetworkingForum for indie developers to share progress and get feedback
Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/Social MediaPlatform for sharing updates and engaging with audiences

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in gaining visibility for indie games
  • Challenges in marketing and promoting games effectively
  • Struggles with video editing and content creation
  • Frustration with low wishlists and sales despite effort

Problems to Solve:

  • Need for better exposure and audience reach
  • Desire for effective marketing strategies
  • Requirement for streamlined content creation tools
  • Need for increased user engagement and community building

Potential Solutions:

  • Leveraging platforms like Steam, Itch.io, and social media for promotion
  • Engaging with communities on Reddit and Bluesky for feedback and visibility
  • Investing in better video editing tools or outsourcing
  • Creating compelling trailers and game art to attract attention

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Utilizing platform-specific events (e.g., Steam Nextfest) to gain exposure
  • Engaging with online communities (Reddit, Bluesky) for organic growth
  • Creating high-quality game art and trailers to attract players

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Posting on multiple platforms (Reddit, Itch.io, Bluesky)
  • Participating in game festivals and events for visibility
  • Building a strong presence on social media and community forums

Monetization & Product:

  • Focus on game polish and quality to attract players
  • Offering a demo to entice users to try the game
  • Leveraging Steam as a primary distribution channel

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging users to add the game to their wishlists
  • Engaging with the community through comments and responses
  • Building a sense of camaraderie among indie developers by sharing milestones