Mobile App Developer - 19,000 Games Came To Steam In 2024 And 80 Percent Of Them Had Almost No Players

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Get ready to conquer challenges in game discovery on Steam! Embrace quality control to support indie developers in the industry flood of new releases.

Steam, the popular digital storefront for PC games, has seen a massive influx of new titles in 2024. According to a report from Kotaku, a staggering 19,000 games were added to the platform during the year. However, despite this overwhelming number of new releases, an alarming 80 percent of these games struggled to attract players, with many languishing in obscurity.

The Oversaturation Issue

The sheer volume of new games being added to Steam each year has led to a situation of oversaturation. With thousands of titles vying for attention, it can be incredibly challenging for a new game to stand out from the crowd. This oversaturation not only makes it difficult for players to discover hidden gems but also poses a significant challenge for developers trying to reach their target audience.

As a result, many games end up getting lost in the sea of releases, buried under a mountain of other titles clamoring for attention. This can be disheartening for developers who have put their time, effort, and resources into creating a game, only to see it go unnoticed by the gaming community.

The Impact on Discoverability

One of the biggest issues stemming from the flood of new games on Steam is the impact it has on discoverability. With so many titles available, it becomes increasingly difficult for players to find and explore new games that align with their interests. This can be frustrating for both players looking for unique gaming experiences and developers hoping to connect with their target audience.

Games that are buried deep in the Steam catalog have little chance of being discovered by potential players, leading to a situation where many quality titles go unnoticed. This lack of visibility not only hurts developers who struggle to attract players to their games but also deprives gamers of the opportunity to explore a diverse range of new titles.

The Challenge for Indie Developers

Indie developers, in particular, face significant challenges in the current landscape of Steam. With limited budgets and resources compared to larger game studios, indie developers often struggle to compete for visibility among the sea of new releases. This lack of visibility makes it difficult for indie games to gain traction and reach a wider audience, despite their potential quality and innovative gameplay.

Without the marketing budgets of big AAA titles, indie developers rely heavily on organic discovery and word-of-mouth to promote their games. However, in a market oversaturated with new releases, even high-quality indie games can easily get lost in the shuffle, making it a constant uphill battle for indie developers to get their games noticed.

The Role of Steam Algorithms

Steam's algorithms play a crucial role in determining which games get highlighted and promoted on the platform. These algorithms recommend games to users based on their browsing and purchasing history, as well as the overall popularity of a game. However, the sheer volume of new releases can pose a challenge for these algorithms, as they struggle to effectively surface lesser-known titles that may appeal to niche audiences.

As a result, many games that could potentially resonate with players are overlooked by Steam's recommendation system, further contributing to the issue of discoverability. This lack of visibility can be detrimental to both developers and players, as promising games fail to find their audience due to limitations in the platform's algorithms.

The Need for Quality Control

Amidst the deluge of new games hitting Steam each year, there is a growing call for improved quality control measures to help address the issue of oversaturation. Many players and industry experts argue that Steam needs to implement stricter guidelines for game releases to ensure that only high-quality titles make it to the storefront.

By curating the catalog more effectively and filtering out low-effort or shovelware titles, Steam could create a more inviting environment for players and developers alike. Quality control measures could help boost overall discoverability by elevating the visibility of deserving games and reducing the clutter of subpar titles that clog up the platform.

The Future of Steam and Game Discovery

Looking ahead, the future of Steam and game discovery remains uncertain in the face of increasing oversaturation. As the number of new games continues to grow each year, finding ways to improve discoverability and support indie developers will be crucial for the platform's long-term success.

Steam may need to explore new tools and features that enhance game recommendations, provide better visibility for indie titles, and streamline the browsing experience for players. By investing in solutions that address the challenges posed by oversaturation, Steam can create a more welcoming space for developers to showcase their creations and for players to find the next great gaming experience.


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