A recent presentation at the Game Developers Conference 2025 by Charles Zukowski, a marketing strategist, tackled a pressing issue for developers: how to attract attention on Steam.

While making a great game is essential, Zukowski asserts that additional strategies, such as early access, wishlists, and user reviews, also play critical roles. However, he dives into the concept of ‘Real Steam,’ suggesting that certain games possess an elusive quality that captures players’ hearts.

“I have no concept of art. There’s no stat. However, some games have that special feel, like finding true love, and this opens the door to Real Steam,” he shared during his talk.

Zukowski emphasized that the popular response to game placements in Steam’s discovery queue can signal whether a game has the ‘magic.’

Moreover, he cautioned developers that if their games don’t receive 250 reviews in the first month, they might be entering a challenging phase. Games that reach the ‘Real Steam’ sales threshold of $150,000 within six to nine months are significantly more likely to achieve success, according to Zukowski’s analysis from over 114,000 games.

In closing, he noted the importance of developers launching with a product that entices players from the start, reinforcing that creating quality games is essential for gamers’ engagement and further visibility on Steam.