If you’ve been following the development of Sanctuary: Shattered Sun, you might have noticed we’ve set up a separate Steam page for the game’s demo. This isn’t just a quirk of our project, it’s part of a change Valve made to the Steam platform in 2024. Here’s what’s going on and why it matters for Sanctuary.
A month later, in August 2024, Valve updated its store policies further, requiring separate pages for prologues, demos, and full games. The goal was to reduce confusion caused by developers cross-promoting prologue content directly on main game pages. These updates also streamlined the process for developers, as demos no longer require a separate AppID—developers can manage everything through the demo-specific system.
The Changes to Steam’s Demo System
In July 2024, Valve introduced the “Great Steam Demo Update,” which revamped how game demos are handled. Demos can now have their own dedicated store pages with tailored trailers, screenshots, and descriptions. This makes it easier for players to find and engage with demos. Demo pages even allow for user reviews, helping potential players get a better sense of what the demo offers.A month later, in August 2024, Valve updated its store policies further, requiring separate pages for prologues, demos, and full games. The goal was to reduce confusion caused by developers cross-promoting prologue content directly on main game pages. These updates also streamlined the process for developers, as demos no longer require a separate AppID—developers can manage everything through the demo-specific system.
Why This Matters for Sanctuary: Shattered Sun
These changes have influenced how we’re preparing for the upcoming demo and Kickstarter launch:- A Separate Demo Page: We now have a dedicated page for the Sanctuary demo, ensuring it’s easy to find and clearly communicates what the demo includes.
- Enhanced Visibility: A standalone demo page allows us to market the demo more effectively, helping new players discover the game and engage with the community.
- User Feedback: With demo-specific reviews, we’ll gain insights directly from players, helping us refine the game further before its full release.
What You Can Do
With these updates, your support on Steam becomes even more critical:- Wishlist the Main Game: This helps with visibility and ensures you’re notified about updates.
- Wishlist the Demo: Doing this supports the demo’s visibility and makes sure you’re ready to dive in as soon as it’s live.
- Leave Reviews: When the demo is out, your feedback will be invaluable for helping others discover the game.
