What should be on a game launch checklist?

A practical indie game launch checklist should cover store-page clarity, gameplay screenshots, trailer hook, call to action, content backlog, press kit, creator or press targets, outreach timing, launch FAQ, analytics, paid-spend limits and launch-day operations.

When should I start a game launch checklist?

Use it before launch week so high-risk gaps can still be fixed. Store positioning, trailer clarity, build stability and outreach timing are more useful to review early than at the last minute.

Does a high launch-readiness score predict sales?

No. The score is a planning tool for identifying operational gaps. It does not predict sales, wishlists, reviews or commercial success.

Free launch planning tool

Game launch checklist: score your indie game's readiness out of 100.

Run a fast readiness check across the store page, trailer, content backlog, outreach, analytics and launch-day operations. This is a planning score, not a sales prediction.

Game launch checklist · quick answer

What belongs on a practical indie game launch checklist?

Cover the pieces that can actually block or weaken launch execution: store-page promise, gameplay screenshots, trailer hook, one clear CTA, a small content backlog, press kit, focused creator/press targets, outreach timing, known-issues/controls FAQ, analytics, paid-spend ceiling and launch-day ownership.

Use the weighted checklist below to find the highest-risk gaps first. The score is an operations/planning aid — not a sales forecast.

Start the checklist →Fixed-scope human review — $29 →

October 2026 · live launch window

Preparing a Steam demo right now?

Use the general 100-point score above, then switch to the current Next Fest checklist for the October 8 press preview and October 19–26 festival window.

Next Fest demo readiness →October Next Fest checklist →