Publishing to itch.io

Quick and easy indie game publishing with no approval process

Why itch.io?

itch.io is the friendliest platform for indie game developers:

• ✅ No approval process - publish immediately
• ✅ No fees - 0% revenue share (optional tip jar for itch.io)
• ✅ Upload in minutes - drag and drop your game files
• ✅ Perfect for game jams - instant hosting
• ✅ Great community - supportive indie game players
• ✅ Flexible pricing - free, paid, pay-what-you-want, or donations

Best for: First-time releases, game jams, early feedback, web games

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Quick Upload Guide

1. Create itch.io Account

1. Sign Up

   Visit itch.io and create a free account

2. Verify Email

   Check your email and verify account

3. Set Up Profile

   Add profile picture, bio, and social links (helps with discoverability)

2. Create Your Game Page

1. Create New Project

   Dashboard → Create New Project

2. Fill Basic Info

   • Title: Your game’s name
   • Project URL: yourusername.itch.io/yourgame (becomes your game’s page)
   • Classification: Game
   • Kind of project: Downloadable (for desktop) or HTML (for web)
3. Upload Builds

   Scroll to Uploads section

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Uploading Windows Build

1. Prepare Your Build

   You have two options:

   Option A: Single .exe (if you used Embed PCK)

   • Just upload MyGame.exe

   Option B: .exe + .pck (if PCK not embedded)

   • Zip them together: MyGame.zip containing MyGame.exe and MyGame.pck
2. Upload File

   Click Upload files → Select your .exe or .zip

   itch.io uploads the file to their servers.

3. Configure Platform

   After upload, checkboxes appear:

   • ✅ Check Windows
   • Set This file will be played: In the app (not browser)
   • Architecture: 64-bit (if using x86_64)

Uploading a ZIP? Name it clearly like MyGame-Windows.zip so players know what platform it’s for.

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Uploading macOS Build

1. Zip Your .app

   macOS apps need to be zipped for upload:

   cd ~/Desktop/
   zip -r MyGame-Mac.zip MyGame.app
   

2. Upload to itch.io

   Click Upload files → Select MyGame-Mac.zip

3. Configure Platform

   • ✅ Check macOS
   • Set This file will be played: In the app
   • Architecture: Universal (if you exported universal)

Mac players will see “unidentified developer” warning unless you code sign your app. Include instructions in your game description:

“On macOS: Right-click the app → Open → Click ‘Open’ in the dialog to bypass security warning.”

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Multiple Platform Uploads

Uploading Mac + Windows + Linux? Just upload all of them!

itch.io automatically shows the right download button based on player’s OS:

• Windows user sees: Download for Windows
• Mac user sees: Download for Mac
• Linux user sees: Download for Linux

File naming tips:

• MyGame-Windows.zip
• MyGame-Mac.zip
• MyGame-Linux.zip

Clear naming helps players pick the right version.

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Configuring Your Game Page

Essential Settings

Kind of project:

• Downloadable (for desktop games)
• HTML (for web games - different upload process)

Release Status:

• Released - Game is complete and available now
• In development - Early access, still being worked on
• Prototype - Tech demo or proof of concept
• On hold - Development paused

Pricing:

• No payments - Free game
• Paid - Set a price ($1-$60 typical range)
• Pay what you want - Let players decide (minimum $0 or set minimum)
• No payments with donations - Free with optional tip jar

For your first game: Consider pay what you want with $0 minimum. Gets more players, some will tip generously, builds audience.

Details Tab

Genre: Select up to 3 (e.g., Action, Platformer, Multiplayer)

Tags: Add relevant tags (players search by these):

• Gameplay tags: roguelike, puzzle, shooter, etc.
• Visual style: pixel-art, 3d, hand-drawn, etc.
• Features: multiplayer, controller-support, co-op, etc.

Engine: Select Godot from dropdown

• Summer Engine is Godot-based, so this is correct
• Helps discoverability for Godot game fans

Media

Cover Image: 630x500px (shown in browse listings) Screenshots: At least 3-5 (show gameplay, not just menus) Trailer: YouTube or direct upload (highly increases downloads)

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Launching Your Game

1. Write Description

   Include:

   • What the game is about (2-3 sentences)
   • Key features (bullet points)
   • Controls (especially keyboard/mouse vs controller)
   • macOS security note (if unsigned): “Right-click → Open to bypass security warning”
   • Credits (music, art, etc.)
2. Set Visibility

   Draft → Public when ready to launch

   Or set to Restricted for friends/testers only

3. Save & View

   Click Save & View page

   Your game is now live!

4. Share Your Game

   itch.io generates a URL: yourusername.itch.io/yourgame

   Share on social media, Reddit, Discord, etc.

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Web Games on itch.io (HTML5 Export)

Summer Engine can export HTML5/WebAssembly games that run in browser!

Exporting for Web

1. Create Web Export Preset

   Project → Export → Add → Web

2. Configure Web Settings

   • Export Type: HTML
   • Texture Format: Works with any (no special compression needed)
3. Export as HTML

   Export to a folder containing:

   • index.html
   • MyGame.wasm
   • MyGame.pck
   • Other web assets
4. Zip the Folder

   Zip the entire folder: MyGame-Web.zip

Uploading Web Build to itch.io

1. Upload ZIP

   Upload your MyGame-Web.zip to itch.io

2. Configure as HTML

   • ✅ Check This file will be played in the browser
   • Select index.html as the main file
3. Set Embed Options

   • Viewport dimensions: Match your game resolution (e.g., 1280x720)
   • Orientation: Landscape (most games) or Portrait (mobile-style)
   • Fullscreen button: Enable for better experience
4. Test in Browser

   Click View page → Click Run game

   Your game runs directly in the browser!

Web games get more plays on itch.io! No download required = lower barrier to entry. Perfect for game jams and demos.

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itch.io vs Steam: Quick Comparison

Feature	itch.io	Steam
Setup Time	15 minutes	2-3 hours
Approval	None	1-3 days
Upfront Cost	$0	$100 per game
Revenue Share	0% (optional tip)	30% to Valve
Audience Size	Smaller, indie-focused	120M+ users
Web Games	✅ Native support	❌ Not supported
Best For	Quick releases, jams, web games	Professional releases, large audience

Pro move: Release on both platforms!

• itch.io for early feedback and web version
• Steam for maximum reach and sales

Different audiences, both valuable.

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Updating Your Game

Upload New Build

1. Export New Version

   Make changes in Summer Engine, export again

2. Upload to itch.io

   Dashboard → Your Game → Edit → Upload files

   Upload new version alongside old one

3. Delete Old Version

   Click ❌ next to old file to remove it

   Or keep both (lets players download old versions)

4. Save Changes

   Players automatically get new version on next download

Existing players: itch.io doesn’t auto-update installed games. Players need to re-download.

Alternative: Use itch.io app - it auto-updates games for players!

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Making Your itch.io Page Stand Out

Great Game Pages Have:

1. Eye-catching cover art (630x500px)
2. GIF of gameplay (shows movement, hooks attention)
3. 5+ screenshots (show different gameplay moments)
4. Clear description (what is the game? what do you do?)
5. Key features as bullet points
6. Controls listed (WASD to move, Space to jump, etc.)
7. Credits (music, fonts, tools used)
8. Development log (updates keep players engaged)

Example Description Structure

# My Awesome Game

A fast-paced platformer where you play as a robot escaping a factory.

## Features
- 20+ challenging levels
- Speedrun timer with global leaderboards
- Unlockable abilities and power-ups
- Original chiptune soundtrack

## Controls
- Arrow Keys / WASD: Move
- Space: Jump
- Shift: Dash
- ESC: Pause

## Credits
- Code: Your Name
- Music: Composer Name
- Art: Artist Name

Built with Summer Engine ❤️

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Pricing Strategies for itch.io

Pay What You Want ($0 minimum)

• Gets most downloads (free)
• Some players pay generously ($5-$20 for great games)
• Builds audience for future paid games
• Average: ~10-20% of players pay something

Fixed Price

• Sets clear value ($3-$15 typical for indie)
• Easier to predict revenue
• Can run sales/discounts later
• Best for: Polished, complete games

Name Your Own Price (Minimum $X)

• Middle ground: “Pay at least $5, or more if you want”
• Shows suggested price while allowing generosity
• Best for: Premium indie games

Your first game? Start free or pay-what-you-want. Building an audience is more valuable than early revenue. Players who love your game will support future releases.

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itch.io Community Features

Devlogs (Development Blogs)

• Post updates about your game
• Shown to followers and on your game page
• Great for building hype pre-release
• Players love seeing behind-the-scenes

Community Tab

• Players can leave comments
• You can respond and build community
• Feature player feedback in updates

Game Jams

• Submit your game to relevant jams
• Massive exposure and feedback
• Community rating system
• Many successful indie games started in jams

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Next Steps After Publishing

Share on Social Media

Twitter/X, Reddit (r/IndieDev, r/gamedev), Discord servers

Submit to Game Jams

Search itch.io jams matching your genre

Gather Feedback

Read comments, update game based on player suggestions

Consider Steam Release

Larger audience once you’ve validated on itch.io

Pro tip: Use itch.io as your alpha/beta testing ground, then polish and release on Steam for wider release. Many successful indie devs do this!

Need help with itch.io? Discord • X/Twitter @SummerEngineCom • [e-mail]