How do indie developers submit games for our Indie Spotlight feature?
Get Your Indie Game Noticed: A Guide to Our Indie Spotlight Submission
Are you an independent game developer with a passion project you believe deserves a wider audience? Our Indie Spotlight feature is designed to shine a light on the incredible creativity and innovation flourishing within the independent game development community. We’re always on the lookout for unique, engaging, and well-crafted titles that can captivate our readers and highlight the diverse talent out there. Submitting your game for consideration is a straightforward process, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Who Can Submit?
Our Indie Spotlight is open to all independent game developers, whether you’re a solo creator, a small team, or a budding studio. The key criteria for eligibility revolve around the independent nature of your development and publishing. We’re looking for games that haven’t been published by a major, established publisher, allowing us to truly celebrate the spirit of indie creation. Your game can be in various stages of development – from a polished demo or early access title to a full release. What matters most is the quality, originality, and potential appeal of your game.
The Submission Process: Step-by-Step
We’ve streamlined the submission process to make it as simple as possible for busy developers. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to do:
- Prepare Your Game Information: Gather all essential details about your game. This includes its official title, genre, a brief but compelling description (think elevator pitch!), the platforms it’s available on, and its current development status (e.g., demo, early access, full release).
- Craft a Developer Bio: Tell us a little about yourselves! Who are the creators behind the game? What inspired you? Any interesting anecdotes or challenges faced during development are always welcome. This helps us connect with your story.
- Visual and Video Assets: A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video is worth even more! Provide us with high-resolution screenshots, concept art, and most importantly, a link to a gameplay trailer or a developer walkthrough video. These assets are crucial for showcasing your game’s appeal and mechanics.
- Gameplay Access: To properly evaluate your game, we’ll need access. This could be a Steam key, an itch.io download link, a console download code, or any other accessible method. For unreleased games, a secure demo build is highly appreciated. Please ensure any provided keys or links are active and functional.
- Submission Form: All the above information will be entered into our dedicated Indie Spotlight submission form. This form is designed to collect everything we need in an organized manner. Ensure all fields are filled accurately and completely. You can find the link to the submission form on our ‘Developer Resources’ page or directly via a seasonal announcement.
What Happens After Submission?
Once you’ve submitted your game, our editorial team will review all entries. This process can take some time, depending on the volume of submissions received. We carefully play, evaluate, and discuss each eligible game, looking for those that stand out in terms of gameplay, narrative, art style, and overall polish.
If your game is selected for an Indie Spotlight feature, we will contact you directly to discuss further details, gather additional assets if needed, and coordinate the publication schedule. Even if your game isn’t selected immediately, we keep promising titles in mind for future opportunities or round-up features.
Tips for a Successful Submission
- Be Concise and Compelling: Your game description and developer bio should be engaging and to the point.
- High-Quality Assets: Ensure your screenshots are vibrant and your trailer effectively showcases your game’s best aspects.
- Proofread Everything: Typos and grammatical errors can detract from your professional presentation.
- Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for your project shine through in your submission!
We are incredibly excited to discover the next wave of amazing indie games. Our Indie Spotlight is more than just a feature; it’s a platform dedicated to celebrating the hard work, creativity, and unique visions of independent developers. We look forward to seeing your submissions!
