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FirstLook Team

The FirstLook team writes about playtesting, community building, creator marketing, and indie game growth. FirstLook is the player relationship platform used by 100+ studios.

Posts (35)

  1. How many Steam reviews does your game need at launch?

    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.

    Playtesting 6 min read

  2. What publishers actually look for in a playtest

    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.

    Playtesting 5 min read

  3. How MIMESIS launched 1M+ copies on a publishing-light timeline

    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.

    Studio Stories 1 min read

  4. How to build a game community from scratch

    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.

    Community Management 5 min read

  5. Player.gg x Summer Game Fest 2026

    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.

    Product 2 min read

  6. Meet FirstLook Agent: an AI sidekick for your player data

    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.

    Product 3 min read

  7. What Is a Player CRM? Guide for Game Studios

    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.

    Product 12 min read

  8. How to Get Players for Your Game

    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.

    Growth 13 min read

  20. 50+ Indie Game Publishers That Fund Independent Games

    By FirstLook Team

    Find indie game publishers offering $250K-$1M+ in funding. Complete directory with investment levels, contact info, and tips for choosing the right partner.

    Funding & Publishing 12 min read

  23. 10 Best Playtest Tools for Game Studios

    By FirstLook Team

    Discover the 10 best playtest tools for unified feedback, secure onboarding, and cross-platform analytics. Compare features to find your perfect fit.

    Playtesting 7 min read