Question 1

What is Find Next Play?

Accepted Answer

Find Next Play is a free platform designed exclusively for indie game developers to showcase their games and gain visibility. Similar to Product Hunt but focused on video games, we help you connect with thousands of gamers actively looking for their next gaming experience. Each month features a competitive leaderboard where games compete for top positions based on community upvotes.

Question 2

Who can submit games to the platform?

Accepted Answer

Anyone! Whether you're a solo indie developer, part of a small studio, or even a hobbyist game maker, you can submit your game. We welcome developers of all experience levels. If you've created a game that you want to share with the world, Find Next Play is for you.

Question 3

Is it free to submit my game?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! Submitting your game to Find Next Play is 100% free with no hidden costs, subscription fees, or revenue sharing. We believe in supporting indie developers by providing a free marketing channel to promote your games and reach potential players.

Question 4

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Creating an account is simple and takes less than a minute. Click on "Sign Up" in the navigation bar, enter your email address, choose a username, and create a password. You'll receive a confirmation email to verify your account. Once verified, you can immediately start submitting your games and customizing your developer profile.

Question 5

Do I need to finish my game before submitting?

Accepted Answer

No! You can submit your game at any stage of development. We support multiple game statuses including "In development" for announced games, "Demo Available" if you have a playable demo, "Early Access" for games in active development, and "Released" for completed games. This allows you to build anticipation and gather feedback throughout your development journey.

Question 6

Why should I publish my game on Find Next Play?

Accepted Answer

Publishing your game on Find Next Play offers multiple powerful benefits:

• Free Marketing Channel - Get your game in front of thousands of active gamers without spending a dime on advertising.

• SEO Benefits - Each game gets an optimized dedicated page that ranks on search engines like Google, bringing you organic traffic for months or even years.

• Organic Traffic - Tap into a community of players actively searching for new gaming experiences. These are real potential customers, not just casual browsers.

• Build Anticipation - Submit your game before launch to create buzz and build a following. Generate hype that converts into day-one sales.

• Community Feedback - Get real, actionable feedback from actual gamers. Understand what works and what doesn't before your official launch.

• Monthly Visibility - Compete in monthly leaderboards for top positions. High-ranking games get featured prominently on the homepage.

• Zero Cost, Zero Risk - Unlike paid advertising or publisher deals, there's absolutely no financial risk. You keep 100% of your revenue.

• Direct Traffic to Your Store - Every game page includes direct links to your Steam page, itch.io, website, or wherever you want to drive players.

• Social Proof - Upvotes and positive comments validate your game's appeal to publishers, investors, and potential players.

• Early Adopter Audience - Connect with gamers who love discovering and supporting indie games. These are the influencers who spread the word.

Question 7

How does Find Next Play help with game marketing?

Accepted Answer

Find Next Play acts as a free marketing multiplier. Your game gets a permanent, SEO-optimized page that appears in Google searches. Players discovering your game can upvote it, pushing it higher in monthly rankings and giving it more visibility. The platform drives direct traffic to your game's store page or website, and the community engagement (comments, upvotes, shares) creates social proof that attracts more players. Many developers use their Find Next Play page as a key part of their launch strategy.

Question 8

What are the SEO benefits?

Accepted Answer

Every game submission creates a unique, search-engine-optimized page with your game's name, description, tags, and media. This page can rank on Google and other search engines for your game name and related keywords, bringing in organic traffic long after your initial submission. It's like having a professional landing page that works 24/7 to attract potential players, completely free. Over time, these pages build authority and can become one of your top traffic sources.

Question 9

How do I submit my game?

Accepted Answer

Submitting a game is straightforward. First, make sure you're logged in, then click "Submit Game" in the navigation bar. You'll need to provide your game's title, description, thumbnail image, platforms, status, and a link to where players can learn more or get your game. You can also add tags to help players find your game. Once you fill out the form, you can save it as a draft to work on later or publish it immediately to go live on the platform.

Question 10

What information do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

The required information includes: game title, a compelling description that highlights what makes your game unique, a high-quality thumbnail image (JPG or PNG), platforms your game is available on (PC, Mac, Linux, consoles, mobile), game status (In development, Demo Available, Early Access, or Released), and a link to your game's page (Steam, itch.io, your website, etc.). Optional fields include tags to improve discoverability and a specific month you want your game featured.

Question 11

Can I submit multiple games?

Accepted Answer

Yes! There's no limit to how many games you can submit. Whether you're working on multiple projects simultaneously or have a catalog of previously released games, you can submit them all. Each game gets its own dedicated page and can compete in the monthly leaderboards.

Question 12

Can I edit my game submission after publishing?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You can edit your game submission at any time. Simply go to your profile, find the game you want to update, and click the edit button. You can update the description, change the thumbnail, modify the status, update links, or adjust any other information. This is particularly useful as your game progresses through development stages or when you have new information to share.

Question 13

What are the platform options available?

Accepted Answer

Find Next Play supports all major gaming platforms. You can select multiple platforms for your game, including PC (Windows), Mac, Linux, PlayStation (PS4/PS5), Xbox (Xbox One/Series X|S), Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and Web Browser. This helps players quickly identify if your game is compatible with their preferred gaming setup.

Question 14

What game statuses can I choose from?

Accepted Answer

We offer four game status options to represent different stages of development: In development for announced games that are still in development, Demo Available if players can try a playable demo, Early Access for games in active development that players can purchase and play, and Released for fully launched, completed games. Choose the status that best represents your game's current state.

Question 15

Can I schedule my game for a future month?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When submitting your game, you can choose which month you want it to be featured in the monthly leaderboard. This is perfect for timing your Find Next Play launch with your game's release date or major update. By default, games are featured in the current month, but you can select any future month to align with your marketing strategy.

Question 16

How does the monthly leaderboard work?

Accepted Answer

Each month starts with a fresh leaderboard. All games scheduled for that month compete for the top positions based on upvotes from the community. Games are ranked by their total upvote count, with the most upvoted games appearing at the top. The leaderboard runs for the entire month, and at the end, games are archived while maintaining their rankings. This monthly reset gives every game a fair chance to shine and encourages ongoing community engagement.

Question 17

How are games ranked?

Accepted Answer

Games are ranked purely by community upvotes. Each registered user can upvote a game once, and the total number of upvotes determines the game's position on the leaderboard. The more upvotes your game receives, the higher it ranks. There are no complex algorithms or hidden factors—it's a straightforward democratic system where the community decides which games deserve the spotlight.

Question 18

What happens to games from previous months?

Accepted Answer

Games from previous months are moved to the Archive, where they remain permanently accessible. They maintain their final rankings and all their upvotes, comments, and engagement data. Players can browse past months to discover games they might have missed. Your game page stays live with its optimized SEO, continuing to attract organic traffic and potential players even after its featured month ends.

Question 19

Can I see archived leaderboards?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Visit the Archive page to browse leaderboards from all previous months. You can see which games won each month, explore past submissions, and discover hidden gems you might have missed. The archive serves as a historical record of the platform and helps new players find great games from any time period.

Question 20

How can my game get to the top of the leaderboard?

Accepted Answer

Success on the leaderboard comes from genuine community engagement. Share your game on social media (Twitter, Reddit, Discord) with a link to your Find Next Play page. Engage with the community by responding to comments and feedback. Have a compelling game description and eye-catching thumbnail. Launch during your game's most important milestone (demo release, early access launch, full release). Build momentum early in the month. Most importantly, make a game that players genuinely want to upvote and share with others. Authentic enthusiasm is what drives upvotes.

Question 21

How do upvotes work?

Accepted Answer

Upvotes are the core engagement mechanism on Find Next Play. Any registered user can upvote games they find interesting or want to support. Each user can upvote a game only once, ensuring fair competition. To upvote, simply click the upvote button on any game card. Your upvote is recorded immediately and contributes to the game's position on the leaderboard. You can see which games you've upvoted in your profile and can remove your upvote if you change your mind.

Question 22

Can users comment on my game?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Registered users can leave comments on your game page. Comments are a valuable way to receive feedback, answer questions, and engage with potential players. The comment section appears on each game's dedicated page and is visible to all visitors. This creates a community dialogue around your game and helps build relationships with your audience.

Question 23

How do I build a following for my game?

Accepted Answer

Building a following requires consistent engagement and smart promotion. Share your Find Next Play page link on all your social media channels (Twitter, Reddit, Discord, Facebook). Engage with comments promptly and thoughtfully. Update your game information regularly to show progress. Submit dev logs or major updates as separate posts. Participate in the community by upvoting and commenting on other games. Cross-promote with other indie developers. Consider doing an AMA or sharing behind-the-scenes content. Most importantly, create genuinely interesting content that makes people want to follow your journey.

Question 24

Can I respond to comments?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We encourage developers to actively respond to comments on their games. Engaging with your community shows you value player feedback and helps build stronger connections with your audience. You can clarify questions, provide additional information, thank supporters, and address concerns. Active developer engagement often leads to more upvotes and positive word-of-mouth.

Question 25

How can I promote my game on the platform?

Accepted Answer

The best promotion comes from authentic engagement. First, make sure your game page is complete with a compelling description, quality images, and all relevant information. Share your unique game page URL on social media with a call-to-action asking for upvotes. Respond to comments to keep the conversation active. Consider timing your submission with a significant milestone (demo release, launch date announcement). Update your game status as development progresses. Engage with other developers and gamers on the platform. Remember, the Find Next Play community appreciates genuine passion and interesting projects over aggressive self-promotion.

Question 26

How do I customize my developer profile?

Accepted Answer

Visit the Settings page from your profile dropdown menu. There you can customize your profile with a profile picture/avatar, write a bio describing yourself and your game development journey, add links to your social media accounts (Twitter, YouTube, Discord, etc.), and update your contact information. A well-crafted profile helps build credibility and lets players learn more about the person behind the games.

Question 27

Can I add social media links?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In your profile settings, you can add links to your Twitter, YouTube, Discord server, website, and other social media platforms. These links appear on your public profile page, making it easy for interested players and potential collaborators to connect with you across different platforms. Social links help build your overall presence as a developer.

Question 28

How do I change my avatar?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings from your profile dropdown menu, then click on your current avatar or the upload area. You can upload a new profile picture (JPG or PNG format recommended) that represents you or your game studio. Your avatar appears next to your games and comments, so choose something recognizable and professional. The system will automatically resize and optimize your image.

Question 29

Can I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can delete your account at any time from the Settings page. Please note that deleting your account will remove your profile and all associated data. Your game submissions may be retained for archive purposes, but they will no longer be linked to your profile. This action is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you want to proceed before confirming deletion.

Question 30

What image formats are supported for game thumbnails?

Accepted Answer

We support the most common image formats: JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg), PNG (.png), and WebP (.webp). For best results, use high-quality images with a 16:9 aspect ratio (like 1920x1080 or 1280x720 pixels). Make sure your thumbnail is eye-catching and represents your game well—it's often the first thing potential players see and greatly influences whether they click to learn more.

Question 31

What's the maximum file size for uploads?

Accepted Answer

The maximum file size for thumbnail images is 5MB. This ensures fast loading times while maintaining good image quality. If your image exceeds this limit, you can use free tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh to compress it without significant quality loss. We recommend optimizing your images before upload for the best user experience.

Question 32

Can I embed YouTube or Vimeo videos?

Accepted Answer

While direct video embedding isn't currently supported in game submissions, you can include links to your YouTube trailers, gameplay videos, or Vimeo content in your game description. Many developers include a "Watch Trailer" link that directs players to their promotional videos. We're considering adding native video support in future updates based on community feedback.

Question 33

What if I encounter a technical issue?

Accepted Answer

If you experience any technical issues, bugs, or unexpected behavior, please contact us through our support channels. You can reach out via Twitter, Discord, or email (check the footer for contact information). When reporting an issue, include details like what you were trying to do, what happened instead, your browser and operating system, and screenshots if applicable. We monitor reports closely and aim to resolve issues quickly.

Question 34

How do I report inappropriate content?

Accepted Answer

If you encounter spam, inappropriate content, offensive behavior, or violations of our community guidelines, please report it immediately. You can use the report button available on game pages and comments, or contact us directly through our support channels. We take community standards seriously and investigate all reports promptly. Help us maintain a positive, welcoming environment for all game developers and players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Benefits of Publishing

Submission & Publishing

Leaderboard & Competition

Engagement & Community

Profile & Settings

Technical & Support