From October 14 to 21, Steam Next Fest October 2024 will deliver game demos, developer livestreams, and direct access to the creators behind the video games you love. This is one of the yearly events highlighted as a multi-day celebration for new games, leading millions of fans to explore hundreds of demos across various genres. Its main benefits include helping players explore new titles and communicate with developers, and indie developers also get the chance to show their games, get feedback, and create buzz about new releases.
What to expect in Steam Next Fest October 2024
Past Steam Next Fest editions have featured a dense roster of indie and midsized games, often serving as a proving ground for many of the festival’s hidden gems, so while the exact lineup is still a bit up in the air, it should be an immersion feast of singleplayer and multiplayer games. Players can expect:
- Hundreds of game demos are free, covering various genres, from strategy and simulation to action-adventure and puzzle games.
- Developer live streams: These streams provide insights into game development, often with live Q&A sessions where fans can ask questions directly.
- Player-developer interactions: Fans can chat with developers in real-time, offering feedback, learning more about the games, and sometimes influencing the final product before release.
New changes for Steam Next Fest October 2024
Steam has made some adjustments to the format of the Steam Next Fest October 2024 event, improving the overall structure and experience:
- There will be no more official event live stream: In this edition, Valve removed the centralized livestream and shifted the focus to developer-hosted streams.
- Independent developer streams: Developers will manage their live streams, now grouped under a dedicated tab. These sessions will feature live Q&As, gameplay demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes looks at game development.
- Revamped page organization: The festival’s interface has been updated, moving away from genre-based tabs. The new layout aims to make it easier for users to navigate the event page and discover titles.
Participation criteria for Steam Next Fest October 2024
Participating in the Steam Next Fest is a great opportunity for developers to show upcoming projects to other developers, which is a way to increase interest. To be eligible, games must meet the following criteria:
- To connect the game to a Steamworks developer account in good standing, the game must be tied to that account.
- Before the event starts, the store page must be published and public.
- The game can’t be a prologue, chapter, or demo for a stretched-out version of content already available to its customers.
- A full release must be started at any point after October 21, 2024, but with a playable demo available at the start of the festival.
That said, there is only 1 Steam Next Fest per game, so developers need to pick an appropriate time to participate. Next Steam Next Fest is coming in February 2025, and, as with October, there’s another opportunity for developers to miss it.
The importance of Steam Next Fest October 2024 for indie games
Steam Next Fest is crucial in promoting indie developers by giving them a platform to reach a wide audience and gather valuable player feedback. Unlike other events dominated by large-budget productions, Steam Next Fest levels the playing field, enabling smaller studios to showcase their work to millions of gamers.
One key advantage for indie developers is early audience engagement. By offering playable demos, developers can build a fanbase well before the official release of their games. Titles like Tunic and Potion Craft owe much of their early success to the exposure gained during previous Steam Next Fest events, where players had the opportunity to try out the games and spread the word.
In addition to exposure, developers benefit from feedback-driven development. Many indie studios have limited resources for extensive playtesting, but during Steam Next Fest, they can gather invaluable input from players. This feedback can guide gameplay improvements, help identify bugs, and refine the overall experience, leading to a more polished product by launch.
Lastly, the festival provides increased visibility. In a saturated market, indie games can struggle to attract attention. Steam Next Fest October 2024 highlights various indie projects, highlighting unique games that might go unnoticed. This exposure can significantly expand a game’s fanbase, which often translates into higher sales when the full version is released. The event creates a much-needed spotlight for indie developers to compete on the same stage as AAA titles.
Featured image credit: Steam
