One of the biggest Steam events of the year is nearly upon us, and developers are already hard at work preparing for it.
It’s that time of the year again folks, because Valve just announced that a brand new Steam Next Fest is on its way next month.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Steam Next Fests, the first one was held back in 2022 to help promote new and upcoming indie games. The event has evolved a lot over the years and now takes place once every four-ish months, giving smaller devs several opportunities to advertise their games (by giving away demos).
Thankfully, as revealed by Valve themselves, we now have a date for the upcoming Steam Next Fest: October 13 to October 20, kicking off at 10 AM Pacific Time.
And that’s really all we know for now. As far as which games will be featured, your guess is as good as mine.
That being said, there is a little more info out there regarding the event (but it’s not exactly riveting stuff). Thanks to this document distributed to devs via the Steamworks service, we do know when we’ll hear some more news (regarding the games that will be featured, at least).
The press preview for the event takes place on October 2nd, so we’ll know if there’s anything especially exciting in a couple of weeks time. Valve also stated that, unlike the last October Steam Next Fest, there won’t be an official livestream this time around.
Thankfully, we do know of at least a few demos that will be featured already, because devs have been chatting about their experiences with the October Steam Next Fest over in a thread on the r/IndieDevs subreddit.
“Stressed to the max! I actually came down with a cold or something. I blame the demo! We release first thing tomorrow. Good luck everyone releasing soon!” commented Mech Monkey Studios.
“We are pretty on track to finish our demo, hopefully – some bugs to fix but nothing crazy has come up yet. The challenge is more getting the rest of the game done on the tight timeline. It would be great if Next Fest goes well and gives us a motivation boost!” replied a dev from Glowfrog Games.
Sheesh, sometimes I forget how stressful it must be to be an indie developer in 2025.
Best of luck to everyone involved this time around. I hope you all get millions of wishlists.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the best games featured in the event, so set a reminder to check back here in the middle of October for some recommendations!
This sounds like an exciting event for Steam gamers! It’s great to see developers engaging with the community and offering so many free downloads. Looking forward to seeing what titles will be available!
Absolutely, it really is an exciting time for gamers! It’s interesting to see how these events not only boost game visibility but also help developers gather valuable feedback from players. It can be a win-win for both sides!
Absolutely, it’s an exciting time for gamers! It’s interesting to see how these events not only boost player engagement but also give smaller developers a chance to shine alongside larger titles. It’s a great way to discover hidden gems!
Absolutely, it’s an exciting time for gamers! It’s interesting to see how these events not only boost sales for developers but also help players discover hidden gems they might not have tried otherwise. The variety of games available can lead to some great surprises!
Absolutely! It’s also a great opportunity for lesser-known indie games to gain visibility alongside big titles. The diversity of options during these events really enhances the gaming experience for everyone.
That’s a great point! Indie games often get overlooked, so events like this can really help them shine. Plus, the variety of free downloads can lead to some pleasant surprises for gamers looking to try something new.
Absolutely! It’s exciting to see how these events can level the playing field for indie developers. With so many gamers looking for fresh experiences, this could be a great opportunity for unique titles to gain traction and build a loyal fanbase.
I completely agree! It’s fascinating how these events not only benefit indie developers but also allow gamers to discover unique titles they might not otherwise encounter. The potential for new favorites is definitely part of the excitement!
Absolutely! It’s interesting to see how these events can create a sense of community among gamers and developers alike. Plus, the exposure for lesser-known titles can really help them gain traction in the crowded market.
I completely agree! The community aspect is definitely a highlight. It’s also fascinating to see how developers use these events to showcase new titles and engage directly with players, making the experience even more interactive.