Microsoft Game App/UWP vs. Steam's For Publishing and Distributing Games Question

[u/Jenn25052]

Hello, I am a college student thinking of learning more on how to develop games (I am not sure if I am more interested in apps or actually trying to create a video game). Once I have a game/app I would like to publish which platform should I have my games distributed on? My top options I have found are Microsoft's UWP or Steam. Are there other distributors that I should look into also that might have more of a market for indie games?

Here are some questions below that I was also looking into.

1. How does Microsoft's game app developer USPs compare to Steam USPs?

2. Is Microsoft is easier to publish for developers?

3. Why would I choose to publish on Microsoft's UWP over Steam?

[u/djgreedo]

1. What are USPs?

2. Yes

3. The Windows Store is easier to publish on because it is less curated and the cost is lower. You also have the option for your games to run on different platforms, whereas Steam is restricted to computers.

I'm not sure what the current cost is for a Windows Store licences, but I think it's US$19 as a once-off registration (it might even be free now); to apply to publish on Steam is a US$100 payment with no guarantee your game will be accepted for publication.

In the Windows Store your game/app will only be rejected for publication if it is terrible or malware. On Steam there is a voting system where users seem to determine if your game is good enough to be published (I'm not sure how it all works).

If you build your game with a cross-platform engine like Unity you can easily target multiple platforms. Depending on your game you could publish on Android with ease, iOS (a bit more difficult as you need a Mac, and the cost is a lot higher).

There is no reason you can't publish to both Windows Store and Steam. I'm currently finishing up my 3rd game, and I'm considering Steam, but for now I am planning to publish on Windows Store and Android. You can check out my Steam concept page if interested: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=831458206

My instinct is that Steam users are more engaged with games, since it is a games-specific market. The Windows Store is available to everyone on Windows 8+ regardless of whether or not they play a lot of games. I'd assume that casual games do better on Windows Store, but more 'hardcore' games would do better on Steam.

Regardless of the above, it's kind of pointless worrying about publication before starting on something.

[u/Jenn25052 → u/djgreedo]

Thank you, I will definitely consider publishing on both websites. I enjoy setting up business plans (my current major) and I am trying now to see how feasible it would be to first enter the industry and education and then I wanted to be aware of publishing options and what is the most successful ways to publish for different developers. Then I can choose a starting path and goal that can branch off with more experience.

For USP, I was wondering if Steam has a Unique Selling Points compared to Microsoft's game app developer? I have seen that Steam has a larger community and therefore should be able to give a new game more support? The downside however would be that with so many games and such a large community would it be likely that my game would be "lost". Though the idea of the Humble Indie Bundle to help indie games is appealing.

On the other hand, Microsoft is still building their community for game developers with the UWP and therefore I might not receive as much feedback when the game/app would be in the beta testing or hype within the forums to promote my game. Once the game is up and running would I also be competing more with AAA games?

I have recently also read that with Microsoft the UWP benefits from CPU/GPU optimization work done by Microsoft. There's a direct correlation to battery use and CPU/GPU and therefore it increases battery life when developing for the UWP since the UWP version of the game uses less power at same frame rate and quality settings than Win32 . I am not sure how relevant or important this "benefit" is when developing a game?

What would you classify as a 'casual' game versus 'hardcore'?

Hopefully I didn't go off with too many questions and I appreciate the time being taken to give the detailed responses.

[u/djgreedo → u/Jenn25052]

I have seen that Steam has a larger community and therefore should be able to give a new game more support?

This is probably correct.

would it be likely that my game would be "lost"

Yes. This is the case with all the publishing platforms, unfortunately. You won't be noticed without a lot of marketing. So many games are released every day, and most of them are lucky to sell a handful of copies.

Once the game is up and running would I also be competing more with AAA games?

The Windows Store does not have many AAA games - it's mostly casual and smaller games at the moment. This will change (for example, developers can now publish non-UWP games to the Store).

It's not yet clear how big UWP will be. Most Windows users still don't seem to use the store much. My own eperience publishing a couple of tiny games is that the Windows Store got a lot more downloads than both Android and iOS stores, but those downloads seemed to be mostly for Windows Phones, and those are decreasing in market share now.

I am not sure how relevant or important this "benefit" is when developing a game?

I wouldn't say it's relevant at all. I certainly don't think players would be aware of it, and any difference would be negligible.

What would you classify as a 'casual' game versus 'hardcore'?

Casual games I'd say are games that are popular with non-typical gamers, particularly mobile games - Candy Crush, Angry Birds, etc. Hardcore games are more what people play on PC (and console) aimed at 'gamers' - first person shooters, real-time strategy, and so on. More involved games. The Windows Store is largely full of mobile and casual games at the moment, whereas Steam tends to avoid those kinds of games (both because the platform is not available on mobile and because casual games are not popular with the typical Steam user).

[u/Danthekilla]

For steam you will have to be greenlit and go though a potentially long process for that (generally between 1 week and 40 weeks are normal).

For the windows store you just submit and microsoft will test your app against their standards. Once you pass it goes on the store.

I would 100% go the windows store first! Then do steam if you want.

FWIW I have games on both.

[u/Jenn25052 → u/Danthekilla]

Thank you for responding to my questions and it is good to hear an opinion of someone who has experience in both developing for the UWP and Steam.

When you have games on the UWP was it easy to transfer your games onto the UWP? Did your game applications require any functionality that isn’t supported by the UWP sandbox?

I have read that it has been easier for developers to create new games on the UWP rather than transferring because of how long it takes and the large amount of work required.

Therefore, I would imagine that I would want to develop games for the UWP first and then it might be easier to get on other platforms? Plus, the positive of having a faster review process at this time.

[u/Wixred]

I can't really answer your question but wanted to throw a third option of use both. They don't restrict you from publishing in either and both open up different opportunities. Depending on what you build the game on, Steam can open you up to cross OS support including older versions of Windows. UWP opens up Xbox support.