Happy Tuesday, or is it? As we approach August, it’s clear that 2023 is racing by, with an abundance of news shaping the landscape of video game discovery and sales. In this edition, we celebrate the winners of GameDiscoverCo’s ‘Scrappy Saves The Animals’ game jam, hosted in collaboration with the Oakland Ballers on Itch.io. The top games, including the standout Scrappy’s Rescue Run, will be showcased at the upcoming video game-themed Ballers event this Friday.
Insights into Game Discovery
Turning our attention to the latest trends in game platforms and discovery, we find that GDCO Pro has compiled estimates of trending unreleased Steam games based on new wishlists from July 13th to 20th. Leading the pack is Dear Passengers, followed closely by the innovative first-person cleaning game Paper Shredder, which has garnered approximately 140,000 wishlists thanks to its viral short-form video presence. Rounding out the top three is the visually striking autobattler roguelike Guildrun, which has a playable demo that achieved 11,000 concurrent users on Steam.
In a recent analysis, Mainframe’s Sulka Haro explored publicly accessible ‘Steam x AI’ data, revealing that AI-flagged games achieve modest success—around 3,000 sales—at only 55% of the rate of non-AI titles. While AI games tend to receive lower ratings, the impact is not catastrophic.
In an engaging interview, Steven Lake spoke with Edmund McMillen, who shared insights on the success of The Binding Of Isaac Complete Bundle after a dramatic 90% off sale during the Steam Summer Sale, resulting in nearly 4 million additional units sold. This highlights the importance of strategic pricing and placement for catalog titles.
Academically inclined game maker Paolo Pedercini has stirred conversation with his article on ‘A History Of Games Through Mass Extinctions’, suggesting a trend of deprofessionalization within the Western game industry. He references science fiction author Bruce Sterling, who posits that the struggles of musicians may parallel those faced by all cultural industries.
In a more alarming note, a developer was apprehended for injecting malware into Steam games, compromising the devices of around 8,000 users and stealing approximately 0,000 in cryptocurrency. This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges within the gaming ecosystem.
Roblox has made headlines with the announcement of its UGC-centric Build feature, aimed at enhancing mobile-first creation within the platform. However, concerns have been raised regarding the predatory offers that successful Roblox creators often receive from companies exploiting the platform’s deal asymmetries.
As for Xbox Game Pass, the latest titles include anticipated releases such as Halo: Campaign Evolved and Beast of Reincarnation, alongside emerging titles like Mistfall Hunter and Corsair Cove.
Valve has also rolled out a substantial update for SteamVR, enhancing the user experience ahead of the anticipated Steam Frame VR hardware release. This update introduces a more VR-native interface, improving accessibility for users.
In a noteworthy legal development, Epic Games and Google have withdrawn their attempt to retroactively settle a lawsuit that could reshape the dynamics of Android app stores in the United States, potentially allowing rival app stores to operate within Google’s ecosystem.
Shifting gears, GameDiscoverCo Pro has introduced a new feature that automates graph annotations for Steam demo launches, Next Fest, and over 190 streaming showcase events. This enhancement provides valuable insights into the performance of titles like Tears Of Metal, which is set to release this week.
As developers prepare for launch, the importance of playtesting cannot be overstated. Early testers often become the first wishlisters and community members, paving the way for a dedicated audience prior to official release. Player.gg, a community of eager players, offers developers a platform to connect with potential fans and gather meaningful feedback.
For those who have recently launched games on Steam, understanding long-term sales projections is crucial. An analysis of titles released between July 2023 and July 2025 reveals that games typically see a cumulative sales increase over time. For instance, a title that sells 10,000 copies in its first month may reach approximately 22,700 copies sold by the end of its second year.
Additionally, the data indicates that games priced above tend to have a better long tail in sales compared to those priced below, suggesting that higher-priced titles may yield more sustained interest over time. Furthermore, multiplayer and co-op games are showing promising sales trajectories, likely due to their social nature and increased visibility through word-of-mouth and streaming platforms.
After a brief hiatus, The GameDiscover Show has returned, featuring discussions on the latest trends in game discovery, including insights from GDCo’s recent AI survey and the implications of Steam’s refund policies for shorter games. Tune in on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify for the latest episodes.
