⏳ Steam Next Fest: work backwards from the deadline
A demo made at the last minute is usually a buggy slice of the wrong part of the game.
For the October 2026 Next Fest:
- August 31: registration deadline
- September 21: submit early for the press preview
- October 5: required items must be in review
- October 19: the festival begins
✅ Prepare in this order:
- choose one short slice that shows the core appeal
- make the first minute easy to understand
- test it on people who haven’t seen the game
- fix crashes, blockers, and confusing moments
- submit before the deadline — not on it
Your demo doesn’t need every feature.
It needs to make players understand the game, enjoy its strongest idea, and want more.
🎯 Rule to remember:
A festival demo is not a smaller full game.
It is your best promise, delivered quickly.
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