Insights for studios — playtesting, community, creators, and growth.
PUBLSH joins FirstLook's Managed Growth Programs, bringing publishing level strategy, business development and launch support delivered natively on the platform.
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Product
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Studio Stories
10 min read
Community ManagementPodcast
The Gaming Founders Podcast
Founders who shaped the gaming industry, in conversation with Eden Chen and Kevin Zhang.
By FirstLook Team
How ReLU Games, KRAFTON's internal label, launched MIMESIS to 1M+ copies and 91% Very Positive on Steam using FirstLook to validate demand, run multi-region playtests, distribute Steam keys, and stand up Discord, all in weeks.
By FirstLook Team
Everything indie devs need to know about Gamescom 2026: dates, ticket types, indie showcases still accepting submissions, and how to get real value out of the week in Cologne.
By FirstLook Team
How public chatter on X and Instagram acts as an early market signal, and the three metrics studios should track to turn social discussion into a real launch predictor.
By FirstLook Team
Games marketing agencies and PR firms for indie studios in 2026: verified directory with focus areas, what they do, and how to pitch each.
By FirstLook Team
A complete directory of indie game festivals and digital showcases for 2026, with application windows, focus areas, and prep tips for your game.
By FirstLook Team
A month-by-month playbook for turning a brand-new Discord into a wishlist-loaded Steam launch. Build a launch community for your indie game in 12 months.
By FirstLook Team
How many Steam reviews does your game need at launch? 10 unlocks your visible score, but velocity and community are what really drive launch-week visibility. A practical breakdown of the thresholds, the myth of the 'algorithm trigger', and how to earn those reviews on purpose.
By FirstLook Team
What publishers really want from your playtest data: retention curves, sample quality, sentiment with context, and the wishlist intent that closes deals. A practical guide for studios pitching publishers.
By FirstLook Team
A practical guide to building a loyal game community before your game ships, anchored in Discord, fueled by playtests, converted into Steam wishlists.
By FirstLook Team
Player.gg is an Official Player Destination for Summer Game Fest 2026. Every featured game gets a page where players discover, wishlist, follow, and apply for playtests.
By FirstLook Team
Meet FirstLook Agent, an AI sidekick built into the FirstLook player relationship platform. Use plain-English prompts to re-engage players, draft announcements, and act on community signals across every channel.
By FirstLook Team
How media and press coverage acts as a market barometer for indie games, and the four metrics studios should track to turn editorial pickup into an actionable launch signal.
By FirstLook Team
Learn what a player CRM is, why game studios need one, and how to use it to build retention, grow your community, and increase long-term revenue.
By FirstLook Team
Learn how to get players for your game with tactics that work: community building, creator campaigns, playtests, and post-launch growth strategies.
By FirstLook Team
A list of 12 Game Funds investing in Indie Games, updated for 2026 with the newest indie-focused funds.
By FirstLook Team
Find the best subreddits for indie game developers to get feedback and gain valuable insights
