Steam Best Practices: Developing an audience while developing your game - GDC 2024

I haven't watched yet but I tossed the transcript into claude and chat gpt

ChatGPT:

• Main Idea: The best marketing tool for your game is the game itself.
• Key Strategy: Develop and engage a community around your game during its development.
• Understanding Steam: Learn how Steam works for both developers and players to tailor your marketing approach.
• Marketing Tips: Focus on unique aspects of Steam's platform to market your game effectively.
• Overall Goal: Integrate marketing efforts with game development for better results.

Claude:

• Your game is your best marketing tool
• Be authentic to your game and target audience
• Steam offers tools to market to your unique audience
• Build wishlists and community well before launch
• Focus on gameplay in trailer, screenshots, description, tags
• Get feedback via beta, playtests, demos; join Next Fest
• Launch: Steam emails wishlisters, features in queues
• Post-launch: keep engaging players via updates, discounts, events
• Stay authentic and responsive to build your audience

The key is to know your game and audience, start marketing early, leverage Steam's tools, and continue nurturing your community after release. Authenticity and active engagement are crucial for success on Steam.